Nine-room house in multiple occupation at 69 Cornwall Road, Cheam

What was proposed

The application sought a nine-room large HMO, rear extension, garage conversion, altered windows, and front refuse and cycle storage.

“The application seeks planning permission for the Change of use from Class C3 (residential) to Class Sui Generis (Larger House of Multiple Occupation (HMO)) to provide 9 rooms, erection of a single storey rear extension, conversion of the garage into a habitable room, alterations to ground floor front and flank fenestrations and provision of refuse and cycle storage to the front.”

Officer report

The site

The property is a large eight-bedroom detached house with parking, an integral garage, a crescent-shaped driveway and a large rear garden.

“The application property is a large, 8 bedroom detached, two storey dwellinghouse located on the eastern side of Cornwall Road. The property has existing off street parking to the front and an in/out crescent shaped driveway and integral garage. To the rear of the property is a large private garden.”

“The surrounding area is predominantly residential in character, comprising mainly large, two storey detached and semi-detached dwellings.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier permissions covered flank and rear extensions, a first-floor rear extension, and a later single-storey extension and patio enlargement.

“86/28847 - Erection of a part one part two storey flank extension. Granted 20/08/86 S1989/34193 - Erection of a single-storey rear extension. Granted 12/01/90. B2003/50847 - Erection of a first floor rear extension.Granted 21/07/2003 Report Page 2”

“B2014/70663 - Erection of a single storey extension and enlargement of patio area at rear/side. Granted…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the housing use, design, accommodation, neighbouring amenity, highways, trees, biodiversity and flood impacts were considered acceptable.

“The proposal is acceptable in land use terms as it would enable the delivery of residential housing of a certain tenure. Report Page 1”

“The proposal would not result in undue harm to the amenity of neighbouring occupiers or the future occupiers of the property and would provide a good level of accommodation.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector representing a residents association, the ward councillor and the applicant addressed the committee.

Members’ debate

Members questioned occupancy, parking, licensing, security, access, shared facilities, kitchen space, fire safety and the effect on the family-house character of the road.

“The principal issues raised by [name withheld] were: • The Association's primary concerns revolved around the negative impact on the character of Cornwall Road and the wider area. He noted that the property, originally a 6-bedroom family home, appeared to have become an 8-bedroom property, with the proposal to convert the garage into a ninth bedroom. This could result in 16-18 occupants.”

“The principal points made by the applicant included: • The applicant’s primary goal was to live in the property with his daughter and repay the mortgage by accommodating lodgers • He intends to let out three bedrooms, reserving the downstairs unit and garage for himself and his family. He confirmed the layout of the house and stated that there was sufficient space, noting that he previously lived as a lodger in significantly smaller accommodations.”

Minutes

The vote

Members held a poll on the officers’ recommendation, then voted on a motion to refuse permission.

“A poll vote on the officers’ recommendation to grant permission was held in accordance with Standing Order 31.4.”

“To refuse planning permission as the proposal would result in the loss of a family house, which is unsuitable for conversion to a large House of Multiple Occupation as it is located outside of an Area of Potential Intensification. The proposal would therefore be contrary to Policy 10 of the Sutton Local Plan 2018.”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was refused because the proposal was considered an unsuitable conversion causing the loss of a family house outside an Area of Potential Intensification, contrary to Policy 10.

“Planning Committee 1 October 2025 11 RESOLVED: To REFUSE planning permission as the proposal would result in the loss of a family house, which is unsuitable for conversion to a large House of Multiple Occupation as it is located outside of an Area of Potential Intensification. The proposal would therefore be contrary to Policy 10 of the Sutton Local Plan 2018.”

Minutes