Elm Grove Estate Regeneration

Elm Grove Groundbreaking event - 12 June 2025

The groundbreaking event marked a major milestone in the regeneration of Elm Grove, and was a proud moment for everyone involved. The event was well attended by members of the Council, Lovell, HTA Design and Sutton Housing Partnership, alongside local residents, resident representatives and local . Speeches were given by Councillor Jake Short, Chair of the Housing, Economy and Business Committee, and Lorraine Casey, Regional Managing Director at Lovell. Both recognised the dedication and perseverance of the Housing Regeneration team in navigating the lengthy planning process to reach this important stage.  Attendees were also invited to take photos next to the Excavator, a fun and memorable way to mark the start of demolition, a key step towards bringing the vision for Elm Grove to life.    

Feedback from our Spring 2025 Community Consultation Events

During the Spring we held two important consultation events with existing residents on 30 April 2025 and the wider local community on 20 May 2025. More than 20 people attended, where they were able to view the latest plans and have their questions answered by members of the project team.  Views from the community were recorded, with many providing positive support for the proposals. Some of the feedback we received included an emphasis on more green spaces, improved infrastructure, and a focus on sustainability. Attendees welcomed the overall vision for regeneration, especially improvements to housing quality, the inclusion of green spaces, and a reduction in building heights. Suggestions for further improvement focused on enhancing public amenities, maintaining a sustainable approach, and delivering more affordable, high-quality homes for local residents.

Elm Grove Fun Day

Current and former residents of Elm Grove joined the Council and its preferred development partner Lovell, for a day of fun and celebration. Local residents and stakeholders attended the Fun Day on the estate on Saturday 14 September, where they were able to meet members of the Lovell team, who will be delivering the new homes and improvements on Elm Grove.

Outline planning permission obtained

On 15 March 2024 the Council submitted its outline planning application for the redevelopment of Elm Grove, including the site 216-220 High Street. On 4 September 2024 the Council’s Planning Committee considered the application and subsequently agreed a Resolution to Grant planning permission to redevelop the sites. This ‘outline’ consent agrees the principle of the development, with the specific design detail to follow under a Reserved Matters Application (RMA). Officers will now work to complete the legal agreement to ensure the development supports the provision of services and infrastructure and is acceptable in planning terms. The detailed design of the scheme will be developed in partnership with Lovell (the Council’s preferred development partner), with stakeholder consultation due to take place over the coming months.

View the outline planning application on the Planning Register.

The initial phase of the development works are due to commence on site by Spring 2025.

Authority to make a Compulsory Purchase Order

On 19 February 2024, the Council’s Strategy and Resources Committee authorised the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO), for the Council to compulsorily acquire any private land and property interests it needs to facilitate the regeneration of Elm Grove.  

The CPO will only be used as a last resort, where a negotiated agreement cannot be reached within a reasonable timescale to enable the redevelopment to proceed. 

Project timeline