A shared house in Wallington will expand from 6 bedrooms to 10 after Sutton councillors overruled strong opposition from neighbours.
Sutton Council’s Planning Committee voted 7 to 3 to approve a change of use at 16 Onslow Gardens, turning the 6-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) into a 10-bedroom one.
Objectors warned the plans would intensify use of the property and harm the Area of Special Local Character. They feared “unacceptable noise, disturbance, overbearing activity, and late-night comings and goings from 10 unrelated occupants”. They also raised parking concerns and warned of “inadequate refuse and recycling management resulting in overflowing bins, odours, pests, and unscreened bin accumulation on the front forecourt”. They pointed out that the physical work to create the extra bedrooms had already been done.
The applicant disagreed, saying there had “never been any police incidents, never any complaints” and that tenants “come and live in the property almost invisibly to the street”.
The committee heard that the property already operates lawfully as a six-bedroom HMO and that the change would involve no external alterations.
Permission comes with a strict HMO Management Plan, secured by a planning condition, to protect neighbours from noise, poor behaviour and waste problems. It includes mandatory quiet hours, a ban on parties and loitering outside, weekly inspections by management and a four-stage procedure for dealing with anti-social behaviour (ASB). The plan must stay in place for the lifetime of the development unless the Local Planning Authority agrees otherwise in writing.
Council officers said the number of HMOs in the area remains below the council’s limit. Policy 10(d) of the Sutton Local Plan allows new large HMOs, meaning those with seven or more residents, as long as they do not create an overconcentration that harms the character of the area. Overconcentration is defined as more than 20% of properties within 100 metres on either side being HMOs. The council’s Environmental Protection Officer confirmed there is only one licensed HMO within 100 metres of 16 Onslow Gardens, well below the 20% threshold.
On parking, the council’s Highways Officers reviewed a survey submitted by the applicant and raised no objections. The survey found “32% available on-street parking capacity during each hours”, which is equivalent to 68% parking stress. It was carried out between “half past midnight and half past one” in the morning, described as the industry standard for measuring residential parking stress.
The Environmental Health Team was consulted and raised no objections, subject to a condition restricting construction hours.
Further details on the planning application can be found in the Public reports pack for the Planning Committee meeting on 28th October 2026.