92-room hotel conversion at 103-111 Mitcham Road, Collier's Wood, London SW17

What was proposed

The application sought to convert most of an existing commercial building into a 92-room hotel while retaining a smaller commercial unit.

“APPLICATION DETAILS: Planning permission is sought for alterations and a change of use in connection with the conversion of the existing buildings from commercial (Class E) to a hotel (Class C1) on part ground, first and second floors and retention of the commercial floorspace (Class E) on part ground floor fronting Mitcham Road.”

“The proposal includes the change of use to a hotel to the basement, rear ground floor, first floor and second floors (3,401.6sq.m), while retaining commercial floorspace fronting Mitcham Road (260sq.m). The proposal includes the creation of a new entrance for the hotel off Mitcham Road and replacement of the shopfront next to the hotel entrance.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a built-up former department store at the corner of Mitcham Road and Franciscan Road in Tooting Town Centre.

“SITE DETAILS: The 0.188ha subject site is situated to the north-eastern side of Mitcham Road on the corner with Franciscan Road. The site is occupied at the main frontage by a row of 6 x three storey terraced properties with 6 x front-to-back pitched roofs and a basement level. As the site turns the corner onto Franciscan Road, the building form steps down to two storeys with a large flat roofed extension covering the site at ground and first floor levels.”

“The site has a PTAL of 6 and is part of the Tooting Town Centre designation, and at the ground floor its frontage (facing Mitcham Road) is classed as secondary shopping frontage. The site is not located within a conservation area, but is designated as an archaeological priority area.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the proposal was considered acceptable in principle, design, amenity, transport, sustainability, flooding, ecology, waste and safety terms.

“The proposal would not have an adverse impact on neighbours in terms of reductions in daylight and sunlight. Furthermore, the proposal would have an acceptable impact upon neighbours’ privacy and outlook, would not result in excessive noise and disturbance and, subject to conditions would be in accordance with policy LP2 of the WLP (2023).”

“Subject to condition, the provision of waste and refuse facilities are considered adequate. The applicant has established that adequate fire safety measures would be employed on site, as detailed within the submitted fire safety strategy in accordance with policy D12 and D5 of the London Plan (2021).”

Officer report

Who spoke

The ward councillor addressed the committee for local residents, and the Area Team Manager answered questions about the proposal and its controls.

What members discussed

Members questioned the hotel’s justification, room standards, future use, commercial space, waste, antisocial behaviour, housing viability and insulation.

“A Member questioned the justification for a hotel such as this one and in this particular area, based on the description of the business model. In response, the Area Team Manager (East Team) assured the Committee that from the plan configurations, there was nothing to conclude that these rooms would be sub-standard.”

“In response to further clarification on the fly tipping issues, the Area Team Manager (East Team) confirmed that the proposal for this was to be serviced on Franciscan Road, with a dedicated bin store and with all of the facilities expected to run a commercial hotel. It was questioned as to why there would be an assertion that large refuse sacks would be left on the public highway when there would be a dedicated facility to deal with the commercial waste.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee voted by six votes to two to grant planning permission as recommended, noting additional late correspondence.

“RESOLVED – (6 for and 2 against) that planning permission be granted as set out in the report, noting the additional information as set out in the late items of correspondence paper.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted as set out in the report, subject to conditions and a Section 106 legal agreement.

“The Head of Service be authorised to Approve the application as delegated by the Planning Applications Committee subject to the following actions: 1) Legal Agreement: the completion at the cost to the Applicant of a Legal Agreement under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 in a form accepted by the Head of Service as securing the provisions detailed in Section 15 of the report; and 2) subject to the conditions listed below:”

Officer report