Plans for 1,184 homes at the former B&Q site in Sutton have been revised, sparking criticism from Sutton and Cheam MP Luke Taylor and the local Green Party. The amended scheme, submitted by developer St George West London Limited, increases the tallest building from 22 to 28 storeys while reducing the number of affordable homes from 355 to 265.
MP accuses developer of breaking deal
Posting on Facebook, Mr Taylor said: “We had a deal. But the B&Q developers have broken it.” Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), he accused St George of “moving the goalposts” since the original plans were approved by Sutton Council in December 2023. He described the changes as “utterly unacceptable” and noted he had met with the developer as recently as August to discuss the plans.
Mr Taylor told the LDRS that changes to regional policy had enabled St George to step back from its previous commitments. He also blamed Sadiq Khan and the Government for lowering affordable housing targets.
Affordable homes cut despite overall increase
The revised plans add 149 homes overall, bringing the total from 1,035 to 1,184. However, the proportion of affordable homes by habitable room falls from 35 per cent to 24 per cent. The developer says all 265 affordable homes would be for social rent – an increase from 217 in the approved plans – while other affordable tenure types are cut by 90 homes.
Helen John, Community Advocate for Sutton Green Party, said the council should hold the developer to account and support the original proposal. “This is not the first change to the B&Q scheme,” she said. “The council must assess the cumulative impact and show clearly how the development now differs from what was originally approved.”
Greens and MP respond to developer’s reasons
The Greens, who have no representation on the council, are calling on the planning committee to reject the amendments unless firm guarantees are given on family housing and sustainable infrastructure. Mr Taylor acknowledged the Greens’ support, saying: “It’s nice to hear that the Green Party back my position on this – but I’d be more grateful if they hadn’t opposed other projects to boost social housing in Sutton in the past, like Elm Grove.”
In its planning statement, St George cited “severe macroeconomic pressures”, including rising construction costs, changes to financing and taxation, and requirements for additional stairs and lifts in tower blocks over a certain height. The statement says the revised plans would increase social rent homes from 217 to 265, all due to be delivered in Phase 1 by 2030. The scheme would also retain more than 60 per cent open space, including a 1.1-acre public park, while increasing the Community Infrastructure Levy contribution to the council by around £3m.
Decision due by October 6
The council is due to issue a final decision on the application by October 6 at the latest. A Sutton Council spokesperson said: “As with all planning applications, it will be for the members of the planning committee to review and discuss the application and ultimately determine whether to approve or refuse it. Members of the planning committee are required to act independently and make a decision based on the application alone.”
