Planning permission for the revised planning application for London House, 42 West Street, Carshalton SM5 2PR (C2014/69012 and C2013/69013) was granted at the meeting of the Council’s planning committee on Wednesday, 25th June.  Both residents’ representatives and also Carshalton Central Cllr. Jill Whitehead addressed the committee over their concerns over the shortcomings of the proposals.  The proposals were however granted planning permission.

This application was to convert existing office space to provide three two-bedroom maisonettes and three three-bedroom terraced houses. The changes since the original application included a reduction in size and scale to a new two-storey building with roof accommodation to be built on the site of the existing car parking space at the rear to provide three two–bedroomed maisonettes together with nine car parking spaces.

The plans involve demolition of a building within the curtilage of a Grade 2 listed building, and alterations to the interior and exterior of the listed building. The new bungalow style stand-alone building on the rear car park site, though reduced in height, will be close to properties in Sycamore Close, Beechwood Court and West Street Lane, and also West Lodge in West Street Lane, which was built in 1738 and is one of Carshalton’s most historic buildings. The new building would still come right up to its boundary.

West Street is part of the Carshalton Conservation Area, and any new development in the area would need to respect the Grade 2 listing of the building, and protect existing amenities. The revised plans whilst improved still represent over-development as far as local councillors are concerned, and will not provide much amenity space for the residents in the new homes. As the number of units will still be largely same, this will still cause traffic problems with entrances and exits onto West Street. It is necesary that historic features such as a 17^th century boundary wall, which needs to be protected.