Sutton Council has taken significant action to combat the severe housing crisis in London following crucial decisions made regarding two of its major regeneration initiatives.
The Elm Grove scheme, located on the north-eastern side of Sutton High Street and being delivered in partnership with developer Lovell, is set to demolish 73 existing, outdated 1970s properties. In their place, the partnership will build 276 new, modern, and energy-efficient homes. Critically, 50% of all new homes at Elm Grove will be designated as council housing. This commitment is a direct response to the critical demand for public housing in Sutton, where the number of families in Temporary Accommodation has recently surged to over 1,100.
Beyond housing, the regeneration project is designed to transform the northern end of Sutton Town Centre by introducing improvements to public spaces, creating more greenery, and establishing a new pedestrian-friendly east-west link connecting the High Street to Throwley Way.
Meanwhile, at the south-western end of Sutton High Street, the Beech Tree Place development has had its tenure mix revised. Following a recent decision by Sutton’s Housing, Economy and Business Committee, the scheme has moved from an original mixture of 35 shared ownership and 57 Council rental homes to a fully rented scheme. This change will significantly increase the supply of council homes in the borough, with the majority of the 35 additional properties now being used to house households currently residing in temporary accommodation.
Councillor Jake Short, Chair of the Housing, Economy and Business Committee of Sutton Council, commented on the decisions: “These decisions mark a crucial step forward in the Council’s commitment to delivering much-needed high-quality, sustainable, and affordable homes for people in Sutton. “It also shows how we’re addressing the housing crisis head-on while transforming our town centre, helping High Street businesses with increased local footfall. We’re also asking people to share their views on improvements to our town centre public spaces and I encourage anyone with an interest to take part.”
Lorraine Casey, Regional Managing Director at Lovell, highlighted the collaborative nature of the Elm Grove project: “This is a major milestone in our mission to revitalise Sutton town centre and deliver high-quality homes at Elm Grove for the community. A huge thank you to our partner the London Borough of Sutton and the talented team at HTA Design for their incredible collaboration. Together, we’re creating a vibrant, community-focused regeneration in the heart of Sutton.”
Construction at Beech Tree Place is anticipated to reach completion by June 2026. At Elm Grove, the first homes are expected to be completed in 2028.
Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
