Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the current position of the scheme?

In September 2024, Sutton Council resolved to grant planning permission for the principle of redevelopment of the Elm Grove Estate. This followed on from the Elm Grove residents ballot which took place in 2022.

Information submitted as part of the approved planning application can be found here: https://planningregister.sutton.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=dates&keyVal=SAEIWSKCJN900

We have used your feedback given to us across two engagement events in November and May, as well as at a closed resident feedback session in April, to revise our proposals for the regeneration of the Elm Grove Estate. We are now preparing to submit a planning application for the revised scheme to Sutton Council.

2. What are the proposals?  

The proposals for Elm Grove will deliver:   

• Up to 280 new high quality and sustainable homes for existing and new residents, designed to respond to residents with different needs. Of these, up to 50% will be affordable, including 1, 2 and 3 bedroom flats and maisonettes.
  
  
• Improve the character along the back of the high street at Elm Grove to create a unique identity and add to the thriving high street by initiating public realm improvements.
  
  
• Create attractive connections with different scales and character between the High Street and Throwley Way.
  
  
• Offer safestreets and public spaces with plenty of lighting and landscaping features that are attractive and can cater to the needs of different age groups.

The new estate will also feature:

• new play areas
  
  
• routes connecting the estate to the town centre
  
  
• landscaping with feature trees, plants and flowering

3. How will the proposals improve the Elm Grove estate for residents? 

Residents will benefit from new, modern, high quality and more sustainable housing, providing an improvement in living standards for the residents of the Elm Grove Estate, and living accommodation that is more suitable for their needs. Of the circa 280 new flats and maisonettes the project will deliver, up to 50% will be affordable housing.

Residents will also have access to new open spaces, communal courtyards, and kids’ play spaces all on-site.  

4. How will the proposals improve the Elm Grove environment?  

Elm Grove will be a vibrant, liveable and attractive neighbourhood for existing and future residents. The aim is to focus on creating a sustainable environment within town centre living.

Improving the character along the back of the high street at Elm Grove, the rejuvenation project will create a unique identity and add to the thriving high street by initiating public realm improvements.

The proposals will create attractive connections with different scales and character between the High Street and Throwley Way, and offer safestreets and public spaces with plenty of lighting and landscaping features that are attractive and can cater to the needs of different age groups.

5. How are the proposals for the Elm Grove estate being funded and delivered?
 
Sutton Council has been awarded a grant worth up to £26.6m from the Greater London Authority (GLA) to deliver the new properties at Elm Grove, which along with significant investment from the council’s chosen development partner Lovell Developments, will provide healthy funding base for the project to be completed to the highest standard.

6. When will residents of Elm Grove vacate the properties? 

Sutton Council is working closely with its’ residents on the estate on when and how they will be rehomed, whilst the regeneration takes place. Aside from the clearance of two bungalows at the start of the works, we are not anticipating any further site clearance until the second half of 2026.

7. When will the construction of the regenerated estate be completed?  

It is expected that demolition will commence in May 2025, whilst the construction of new homes will begin in the second half of 2026. The regeneration will completed in the first half of 2030.

8. Where will residents of Elm Grove live during the regeneration?  

The proposals will require residents of the Elm Grove Estate to move out of their properties while regeneration work takes place. Residents will be provided with alternative accommodation throughout this period that considers their respective requirements. Residents can expect to be kept up to date on the progress being made at Elm Grove and will be informed of any changes to project dates.

9. How does the presented scheme differ from the 2022 residents ballot? 

The revised proposals do bear some similarities with the 2022 ballot scheme. The emerging revised proposals by Lovell will still include two straight east-west connections to the High Street, but with an overall increase in the number of homes compared with the initial proposals presented at the Ballot stage. As such, there will also be an increase in affordable homes.

The revised proposal is inkeeping with the original vision for the estate and retains the key design principles originally agreed with residents and stakeholders. These principles are contained within the Elm Grove Landlord Offer document.

10. Who are Lovell and how are they involved?   

Lovell Partnerships are partnership housing and regeneration experts, specialising in working jointly with public sector partners to create places where local people want to live, and communities thrive. They are a leading provider of innovative residential construction and regeneration developments across England, Scotland and Wales, often working with local authorities and housing associations.

A subsidiary of the Morgan Sindall Group, Lovell has a formidable delivery capability, with 1,187 employees building new homes, assisted living accommodation, enhancing the public realm, acquiring and developing land, contracting and refurbishing homes.

Lovell have recently been selected by Sutton Council to deliver on the council’s decision to resolve to grant outline planning permission for the regeneration of the Elm Grove Estate in September 2024, following on from the resident ballot which took place in 2022.

11. How can I contact the project team?  

To speak with the project team about the proposals, please contact us via email at elmgrove@devcomms.co.uk or call freephone at 0800 080 3261.

You can also contact Sutton Council's Estate Regeneration team via email at estateregeneration@sutton.gov.uk. 

For more information on Lovell Partnerships, please visit their website at https://www.lovell.co.uk

12. How will my feedback be used to influence future plans?

We have used your feedback given to us across two engagement events in November and May, as well as at a closed resident feedback session in April, to revise our proposals for the regeneration of the Elm Grove Estate. We are now preparing to submit a planning application for the revised, detailed scheme to Sutton Council.