However, the borough saw plenty of change throughout 2024 and equally big things are happening this year.
Many of the decisions last year will start to bear fruit in the next 12 months. Alongside housing and high streets, Sutton residents can also expect to see more changes in its roads, transport, and hospitals to name a few.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has put together a list of the main things to look out for in Sutton in 2025.
Elm Grove Estate Regeneration
Last year, Sutton Council got the ball rolling on one of its biggest regeneration projects to date, the redevelopment of the large Elm Grove estate. The 1970s-built council estate near Sutton High Street has long been in need of regeneration, and in 2025 residents will finally see progress being made.
The redevelopment would see 282 new and replacement homes built in towers ranging from five to 16 storeys. Up to 50% of the homes, including one, two, and three-bedroom flats and maisonettes, will be ‘affordable’.
The regeneration project is set to bring many new features to the area, including additional amenity space, easy access to shared courtyards, and a dedicated play area for families. Public spaces will also improve with the creation of an accessible east-west link between Throwley Way to the High Street. The council, which owns the land, will work with developer Lovell to start enabling work on the estate this year.
Old B&Q site
Undoubtedly one of the biggest talking points in Sutton last year was the closure of the B&Q site to make way for a huge new housing complex on the outskirts of central Sutton. Planning permission was granted in December 2022 for the complex to be built on the site of the popular store. Once complete, the development could attract 2,500 new residents to the area.
The new development will consist of towers ranging from six to 21 storeys, housing 970 flats, 337 of which will be affordable homes. The site will include 8,786 sqm of new open space.
With B&Q closing its doors for the last time in June of 2024, the stage is now set for work to begin on the huge project. Demolition of the existing site is expected at some point this year.
Beech Tree Place
Built in the mid-1950s for residents aged 55 and over, Beech Tree Place is now being redeveloped as the current accommodation no longer meets national standards for older persons’ housing.
The £46million redevelopment will bring 92 new homes to the area, designed to cater to a range of residents, both newcomers and those returning to the community. Among these, 35 homes will be available for shared ownership.
However, the build process has been beset by delays and controversy. Sutton Council’s original development partner, Real LSE, filed for administration in August last year and had to leave the project.
The void left by the outgoing developer meant operations stalled between September 15 2023 and June 3 2024. According to a Freedom of Information request made by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Sutton Council spent £731,875 during this period.
With progress returning to the site, the council expects building frames to be completed this year. Full redevelopment is due to be completed in June 2026, yet the shared ownership homes will be put on sale before this date.
New council houses
While it’s far from being one of the borough’s biggest developments in size, the new council houses at 30-32 Beddington Lane, Beddington, are significant in addressing local housing need. They are expected to be completed by October 2025. They will be built to energy-efficient Passivhaus standards and the new development will house a block of four flats and five houses.
High street changes
2024 saw a number of changes on Sutton’s High Street, including the opening of Oru Space and Throwley Yard (where a DJ course will start this year). In 2025 residents and shoppers can expect to see new retail units opening at the refurbished 137-145 Sutton High Street (the old Topshop store).
Sutton College’s planned relocation will also go to the council’s Planning Committee this year. The plans involve moving the existing building to Sutton High Street into the empty White Building opposite Asda.
These changes will be accompanied by expected progress on Sutton Council’s planned move from the St Nicholas Way HQ into the St Nicholas Centre.
London Cancer Hub
The London Cancer Hub has ambitions to be Europe’s leading cancer research centre. When realised and completed, it will make Sutton a go-to destination for researchers, medical professionals and patients from across the world.
Located next to the famous Royal Marsden Hospital site in Belmont, Sutton, the London Cancer Hub has been almost 20 years in the making. Under new plans from Sutton Council, the five-hectare site will become an integrated village-like place where patients, medics, researchers and members of the public can mingle. An outline planning application is expected to be submitted for the London Cancer Hub this year.
More road changes
2024 saw a number of changes made to Sutton’s roads, many of which received a mixed response. The majority of these changes centred around the creation of healthy school streets and speed limit changes.
The majority of these changes have occurred in quieter residential areas with narrower roads. They have also been used to prevent the occurrence of rat runs, like in the example of the 20mph speed limit change to the Grove Road area of Sutton.
While many see these changes as essential to protecting pedestrians and improving residents’ lives, some feel they are anti-motorist and lead to further congestion. Residents can expect to see more changes to the borough’s roads in 2025 as the council and TfL (who operate red routes) move further towards the goal of increased sustainable travel.
While train stations like Belmont are set to see an increase in service, many residents and councillors remain concerned that the borough’s access to other transport services remains relatively limited compared to the rest of London. Concerns over the lack of TfL tram or Overground services in the borough are expected to remain at the forefront of public debate this year.
