Mental health crisis facility at 21 Morton Gardens, Wallington

What was proposed

The application proposed changing a four-bedroom home into a short-term mental health crisis stabilisation facility for up to four residents.

“The application seeks planning permission for the change of use of a two storey semi-detached property from a four-bedroom dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to a short term residential mental health crisis stabilisation institution (Use Class C2(b)). The proposal incorporates minor internal alterations to reconfigure the layout and the provision of new boundary treatments to the flank and rear of the property.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a two-storey semi-detached home with a driveway and rear garden in a mainly suburban residential area.

“The application site comprises a traditional two storey semi-detached residential property situated on the northern side of Morton Gardens in Wallington. The property currently functions as a four-bedroom single family dwellinghouse (Class C3).”

“The immediate and wider surrounding area is predominantly suburban and residential in character, defined by a cohesive pattern of similar detached and semi-detached family homes alongside a small number of subdivided residential flats.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the use met a documented health need, retained the residential appearance and was considered safe for neighbours and transport.

“The proposed change of use from a residential dwellinghouse (Class C3) to a residential institution (Class C2(b)) is acceptable in principle under Sutton Local Plan Policy 10 because it replaces a single family dwelling house with an essential community facility that meets a documented local health need.”

“DM2026/00106 21 Morton Gardens, Wallington SM6 8EU 2.3 The development retains the residential appearance of the property with no material external alterations to the front elevation, ensuring the scheme fully respects and maintains the visual character of the Morton Gardens street scene in accordance with Policy 28.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Fourteen petitioners and three nearby households objected, while consultees raised no objections or sought conditions on building hours and renewable energy.

“A petition coordinated by residents of Morton Gardens has been submitted, signed by fourteen objectors, alongside three individual letters of objection from households within the immediate vicinity. The petition and objection letters are available to view in full on the Council’s planning portal, and at Appendix C of this report. Report Page 3”

“Internal Consultation Comments Received Adult Social Services No objection Environmental Health Team No objections subject to a condition to ensure any building works required to implement the development are limited to daytime hours. Tree and Landscape Officer No comments. Biodiversity Officer No comments. Highways Engineer No objections. Waste Management No objections.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector, the ward councillor and the applicant addressed the committee about housing, amenity, parking, need, management and the service model.

Committee debate

Members considered the potential benefits of short-term mental health support alongside concerns about housing loss, local need, the building and effects on neighbours.

“In debate, members discussed the advantages of establishing a facility for short-term mental health support and noted that such provision could ease pressure on local hospitals and assist vulnerable residents. While concerns were raised over the loss of a family home, the committee noted that Policy 10 of the Sutton Local Plan allows an exception when a residential home is replaced by an essential healthcare or community facility addressing a…”

“Planning Committee 5 August 2026 14 clearly identified local need. Some members argued that local need for this facility had been evidenced solely by the applicant. Other members pointed out that NHS referrals to similar facilities indicate an established need and observed that such a service requires admissions to remain viable. Members also discussed councillors' corporate parenting responsibility.”

Minutes

The vote

A poll vote supported the officers’ recommendation, with seven members voting for and three against.

“DM2026/00106 - 21 Morton Gardens, Wallington SM6 8EU (Committee Report) A poll vote on the officers’ recommendation was held in accordance with Standing Order 31.4, when there voted. Councillor Jayne McCoy For Councillor Chandra Alapati For Councillor James Appleby For Councillor Rukhsar Askari For Councillor Sunil Kumar Against Councillor Cumar Sahathevan For Councillor Naveen Samrat Against Councillor Alison Long Against Councillor Trish Fivey For Councillor Jake Short For…”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to the conditions in Appendix B.

“RESOLVED: To GRANT planning permission, subject to the conditions outlined at Appendix B.”

Minutes

Conditions attached

The permission requires compliance with approved drawings, fire safety measures, boundary details, renewable energy details and the operational management plan.

“1) The approved development shall be carried out in accordance with the following drawing/details: - 25364/01 - 25364/02 - 25364/03 - 25364/04 - 25364/06 - 25364/07 - 25364/09 - 25364/10 - 25364/17 - 25364/025 - Fire Safety Statement - Flood Risk Assessment Report - Operational Management Plan (OMP) CG Care Crisis House Proposal Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interest of proper planning.”

“The approved boundary treatments shall be installed in accordance with the approved details prior to the first use of the facility and maintained for the lifetime of the development. Reason: To secure visual privacy and safeguard the residential amenities of adjoining occupiers in accordance with Sutton Local Plan Policies 28 and 29.”

Officer report