Wandsworth Council has agreed to take enforcement action at 118 Upper Tooting Road, SW17 7EN, following a material change of use of the commercial storage area at the rear ground floor to three self-contained studio flats without planning permission.
The decision was made by the Planning Applications Committee on Thursday, 25 June 2026.
Officers found that the three studio flats, created within the last four years, each contained a shower, toilet, wash basin, fridge, mattresses, kitchen worktop with sink, washing and cooking facilities. Crucially, there was no outdoor amenity space associated with these flats, and one flat lacked any window or rooflight, relying entirely on artificial light.
The council's assessment found that the internal floorspace of the flats fell significantly short of the minimum standard of 37sqm for a one-bedroom flat, and the layout was poor, adversely affecting natural light and outlook. The development also failed to provide adequate cycle parking and refuse storage, and there were concerns regarding water conservation measures and fire safety.
Councillor Tony Belton, who attended the meeting, noted that enforcement action is a discretionary function and that any action taken must be proportionate to the severity of the breach and clearly in the public interest. He stated that the unauthorised conversion was contrary to adopted planning policies and caused harm to current and future occupiers.
The committee agreed that enforcement action was expedient, and an enforcement notice will be issued requiring the cessation of the use of the property as three self-contained studio flats and its return to its lawful condition as a single dwellinghouse. The owner would have the right to appeal the enforcement notice.
