The Sutton Council's Planning Committee convened on 3 December 2025, to discuss several planning and development proposals within the borough. The agenda included applications for variations to existing permissions, approval of reserved matters, change of use applications, and the erection of new buildings.

Elm Grove Estate, 216-220 High Street

Two applications concerning the Elm Grove Estate were scheduled for discussion.

First, the committee was to consider an application, DM2025/00952, to vary several conditions of a previously granted outline planning permission (ref: DM2024/00392). The applicant, a joint venture between Lovells and the London Borough of Sutton, sought to make alterations to building location, height, and parameters, as well as the wording of associated conditions. Specifically, the application requested variations to conditions regarding approved plans, residential units, building heights, public realm spaces, the design code, whole life carbon, and the construction logistics plan.

Second, the committee was to discuss application DM2025/01068, concerning the approval of reserved matters relating to the same outline approval, DM2024/00392. This included determining access, appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale. The application also included details to discharge conditions relating to fire strategy, surface water drainage, flood resilience, circular economy, energy strategy, overheating, and whole life carbon.

15 Surrey Grove, Sutton

The committee was scheduled to discuss application DM2025/00746 for 15 Surrey Grove, which sought permission for a change of use from a Class C3 dwelling (residential) to a Class C4 small HMO¹, providing four rooms. The application also included the erection of a single-storey rear extension and alterations to the ground floor front fenestration.

Sutton Business Park, Restmor Way, Hackbridge

The Planning Committee was to consider application DM2024/01755 for Sutton Business Park, Restmor Way, Hackbridge. The application sought permission for the erection of a two-storey detached building comprising six self-contained mixed-use industrial units, ancillary office space at mezzanine level, vehicle parking, cycle spaces, a sub-station, and boundary treatment. The proposed units would fall under Use Class B2 (general industrial), B8 (storage or distribution) and EGiii².

6 Woodcote Road, Wallington

The committee was scheduled to discuss application DM2023/01628 for 6 Woodcote Road, Wallington. The application sought permission for a change of use from Sui Generis (drinking establishment) to a flexible Class E use (commercial and business) or Sui Generis use (drinking establishment). The application stated that the primary objective was to secure a viable, long-term occupier for the ground floor unit, which has been vacant for an extended period.

The report pack noted that a prior application to change the use of the building had been refused because the applicant had not demonstrated that the public house was no longer required. The current application sought to address this by providing marketing evidence. The report pack also noted that an application to register the Sound Lounge at the site as an Asset of Community Value was withdrawn in 2024.

The report pack included a Marketing Report Review from BNP Paribas Real Estate, which stated that the applicant had marketed the unit for circa 16 months, but that this marketing campaign was undertaken circa 5 years ago. The review stated that the council should decide whether or not the historic nature of the marketing satisfies Policy 22(b) of the Sutton Local Plan. The review also stated that the rental value of £75,000 per annum was not considered to exceed the marketing rents for comparable units currently on the market.

The report pack also included a copy of an appeal decision relating to the Duchess of Kent Public House in Islington, which the applicant stated was relevant to the application.

Other Matters

The agenda also included welcoming and introductions, apologies for absence, and declarations of interest. The committee was also scheduled to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 5 November 2025 and on 1 October 2025, with an amendment to the minutes from the October meeting also included for consideration. Finally, the committee was to consider any items of urgent business.