On December 3, the Sutton Council Planning Committee met to discuss an application to turn the house on 15 Surrey Grove into a four-bedroom HMO for up to four occupants, including a single-storey rear extension and internal alterations to create en-suite bedrooms and a shared kitchen, dining, and living space.
Planning officers had previously said the development was acceptable in land use terms, would provide a “range of different housing types to meet the needs of people living in the borough,” and would integrate well into the site without harming the street’s character or neighbouring residents.
They also stated it would not affect highway safety, create overspill parking, harm trees or biodiversity, or increase flood risk.
The applicant, Mohammed Amir Khan, defended the proposal at the meeting.
He said the property would house no more than four single occupants and that the building would remain in line with surrounding homes.
He added: “I am very prominent on antisocial behaviour, ensuring that the neighbours are always happy.
“I currently run two other HMOs, and today we’ve never had a problem.
“Very stringent, very active on site.”
He also addressed parking concerns, noting an independent survey had shown sufficient spaces nearby.
Councillors raised multiple concerns about the proposal.
Cllr Tony Shields questioned the internal layout, asking: “Why are there four double beds?
“The rooms appear to be cramped.
“There appears to be no closet space or social amenity area apart from the kitchen, which is right next to some other poor soul’s bedroom with pots clanking all through the night.
“If these residents own more than one pair of socks each, we are in for storage problems which will lead to inevitable extensions.”
Cllr Patrick Ogbonna criticised the application for contradictions and the fact that conversion work had started before permission was granted.
He warned that the narrow road would struggle with parking for additional occupants, adding, “It is a very small narrow road, and an additional eight people living there is going to cause a lot of headaches to residents as well.”
Cllr Trish Fivey said the street was made up of family homes and expressed concern about taking small rooms away from tenants.
He explained: “We are taking small accommodations in these rooms, which I do not think is fair for people renting them.
“We are building enough homes around the borough.
“We do not need these HMOs.
“We are going to lose a small home which could accommodate a family of eight, which we do not have many of in the borough.”
Cllr Peter Geiringer highlighted the number of objections received: “Sometimes we get two or three objections, but 46 is a lot.”
Residents also spoke at the meeting, with Huw Chandler and Judy Brown speaking on behalf of residents.
Huw said: “Family homes are much in demand and much needed in this area, and Surrey Grove is within walking distance of six schools and a nursery, making it ideal for families.
“The applicant is clearly only interested in maximising profit through an eight-person HMO.
“There is no off-street parking available on Surrey Grove, and the road is already struggling, as we’ve heard tonight.
“We find it extremely surprising that the council’s Highways team raised no objection and even stated the proposal would not adversely impact the public highway or result in significant overspill parking.
“There was previously an unlicensed HMO in a nearby property, with occupants coming and going at all hours, delivery mopeds outside, and people congregating in the front garden.
“It caused anxiety and distress to neighbours.
“We do not wish for that to happen again.”
Judy Brown described Surrey Grove as a close-knit family road where “people like living here until they died”.
After discussion, councillors voted to refuse the application on the grounds of loss of a family home, neighbourhood amenity, and car park and highway safety.
Cllrs Trish Fivey, Tim Foster, Peter Geiringer, Edward Joyce, Patrick Ogbonna, Tony Shields, Jane McCoy, and Richard Clifton agreed to refuse the application.
Cllrs Sam Cumber and Patrick Magnus abstained from voting.
The application was refused.
