In the summer, Sutton Council received a planning application to modify the HMO (house in multiple occupation) on 39 Foresters Drive.
The property is currently being used to house four people.
The planning application asked for permission to increase the number of rooms and residents to nine.
The cost of the works was expected to be up to £2 million and be completed by January 2026.
The site does not have any parking space, and residents are and would be expected to park on the main street.
A fire safety statement submitted as part of the application outlined extensive measures designed to protect residents.
All doors leading to escape routes and high-risk areas, such as kitchens and boiler rooms, would have been self-closing fire doors with up to 60 minutes of fire resistance.
Smoke detectors and alarms were to be installed throughout the property, including bedrooms, kitchens, and communal areas, all connected to a central control panel to ensure early warning in the event of fire.
Escape routes were to be clearly marked with signage, and emergency lighting would have been installed to guide residents to safety in a power failure.
The building’s structure was designed to slow the spread of fire through fire-resistant materials and compartmentalised walls, while residents would have received information and training on evacuation procedures.
However, despite the minimal changes and the precautions outlined, Sutton Council have refused the application.
Sutton Council said the expansion was unacceptable in principle.
The council said: “The principle of a larger HMO in this location is unacceptable as it would not be located in an Area of Potential Intensification, is not a detached dwelling, and is therefore not in accordance with Policy 10 of the Sutton Local Plan.
“The applicant did not seek pre-application advice, and the application cannot be amended to comply with the relevant planning policies.
“Sutton Council therefore has had no alternative but to refuse planning permission.”
