Full redevelopment of Beech Tree Place given the go ahead by Sutton Council

Sutton Council has given in principle agreement for the full redevelopment of Beech Tree Place, on St. Nicholas Way in Sutton at a meeting of their Housing, Environment and Business (HEB) Committee on Tuesday night [13 October 2020]. 

Development of the estate aims to improve the local environment for residents and deliver better quality homes that are warmer, safer and more accessible for its older residents, as well as new and affordable housing.

Councillor Jayne McCoy, Chair of the Housing, Economy and Business Committee said: “I am delighted that we have taken the next step towards improving Beech Tree Place for the people who live there. We have an ambitious programme of estate regeneration and through working closely with our residents we can deliver a redevelopment programme that will meet their needs, deliver fit for purpose homes and also deliver additional homes to accommodate future generations.”

Over the past two years the Council has undertaken extensive engagement and consultation with the residents of Beech Tree Place. The feedback from residents has been positive and we have committed to including residents in co-designing the final plans, building on the joint working done to reach this stage.

Donald Bristowe, Chair of the Beech Tree Place Residents Steering Group said: “All the council professionals have kept residents fully informed on all issues and have made sure that all residents have been able to air any concerns which have been listened to and been acted upon more than fairly. I and other residents support the full redevelopment of Beech Tree Place as this is the only viable option that benefits the whole community and the future generations"

Residents told the Council that living at Beech Tree Place enabled them to maintain their independence. Close to Sutton town centre, residents valued access to transport links and local amenities. They also valued the heritage and character of Beech Tree Place, including the connection with St Nicholas Church and the stone eagles.

However, residents also face challenges living in small bedsits which are not energy efficient and need improvements to their insulation, along with accessibility issues of steep staircases and sloping paths outside causing issues for the elderly residents. A full redevelopment would overcome these challenges resulting in the eventual demolition of all existing properties at Beech Tree Place and the creation of carefully designed homes to meet resident needs. 

Beech Tree Place is one of seven council estates identified in the Sutton Local Plan (2016-2031) for potential regeneration, including housing designated for older people. This supports Sutton Council’s ambition to make Sutton an age-friendly borough.

Now approved in principle, the next step will be to conclude financial and legal due diligence to include assessments of financial viability on development proposals.

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For more information, email pressoffice@sutton.gov.uk

Notes to editors

At The Housing, Economy and Business Committee last night, Members approved in principle full redevelopment as the preferred approach for the regeneration of Beech Tree Place, Sutton.

Through the co-design work with residents the Council identified and explored in more detail three potential options for Beech Tree Place: Refurbishment, Partial redevelopment and refurbishment or Full redevelopment. The majority of residents preferred Option 3: Full redevelopment.

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