We learned, on 18 November, that the further planning application relating to 27 Grange Road, to demolish the existing building and erect a three storey building containing nine flats, has been allowed by the Planning Inspectorate, on appeal.

This planning application was turned down by Sutton Council and we deplore a situation where the democratic decisions taken by Liberal Democrat Councillors elected by local people are overturned by a remote inspectorate based in Bristol. That is wrong in principle, but there is no further right of appeal. There are unfortunately a number of locations in Sutton South Ward, for example in Albion Road and Eaton Road, where the Council has rejected applications to demolish attractive family homes and build a small block of small flats offering accommodation of a lower quality than we would like, but it has been overturned on appeal. We will continue to oppose such cases.

A condition imposed by the Inspector, at the request of the Council, is that work will only take place between 8am and 6pm on weekdays and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays, a standard Council condition. When work starts, we will monitor this closely.

The picture above shows the demolition of 39A Eaton Road, another attractive family home demolished to make way for small flats, again originally an application turned down by Sutton Council but allowed on appeal.