The New and Old Malden Planning Sub-Committee met to consider a planning application relating to a property in New Malden. Councillor Lesley Heap, Chair of the New and Old Malden Neighbourhood Committee, was scheduled to chair the meeting. The meeting was scheduled to be filmed for broadcast on the council's YouTube channel.

Planning Application: 24 Poplar Grove

The committee was scheduled to consider planning application 25/00964/HOU for 24 Poplar Grove, New Malden. The application requests permission for:

• Erection of single storey infill to rear and first floor rear extension
• Refurbishment of an existing roof with 2 rear dormers
• Demolition of an existing timber fence and rear outbuilding, erection of brick boundary wall and single storey rear outbuilding
• Fenestration alteration¹
• Removal of a snag willow tree and replacement with Japanese maple and cherry plum trees
• Replacement of existing single glazed timber sash windows with double glazed timber windows

The Director of Planning and Regeneration made a recommendation to approve the application subject to conditions.

The report pack noted that 13 objections had been received, and one neutral representation. Concerns were raised regarding:

• Impacts on trees
• Excessive height or bulk of buildings
• Inadequate landscaping
• Inappropriate design
• Loss of light and privacy

The report pack stated that the council's Tree and Landscape Officer had no objections to the removal of the willow tree. The Maldens and Coombe Conservation Area Advisory Committee raised no objections to the application.

The report pack stated that the key planning considerations relating to the application were:

• Character and Design
• Heritage Assets
• Impact on Residential Amenity
• Trees
• Fire Safety

The report pack stated that the proposed extensions were considered to be of an acceptable design, and would not adversely impact the character and appearance of the local area, in compliance with policy D3 of the London Plan 2021² and policies CS8 and DM10 of Kingston's Core Strategy 2012.

The report pack stated that the scale, siting and mass of the extensions would not result in unacceptable impacts on the amenity of neighbouring occupiers, in regard to overbearing enclosure and loss of daylight. In addition, the placement of new openings would not result in overlooking or loss of privacy on neighbours, in compliance with Policy D3 of the London Plan 2021 and CS Policy CS8 and DM10 of Kingston's Core Strategy 2012.

The report pack stated that the Council's Tree and Landscape Officer had raised no objection to the loss of the tree which would be suitably replaced to maintain the leafy green setting of the site, in compliance with Policy G7 of the London Plan 2021 and Policy DM10 of the Kingston Core Strategy 2012.

The report pack stated that the applicant had submitted a Reasonable Exception Statement which suitably addresses the provisions of Policy D12(A) of the London Plan 2021, which requires all development proposals to achieve the highest standards of fire safety.

Other Items

The agenda for the meeting also included:

• Apologies for absence
• To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 4 September 2025
• Declarations of interest
• Urgent items authorised by the chair
• Exclusion of the press and public