St George has secured planning consent to increase the number of homes at its Chalk Gardens development in Sutton.
The company has been given the green light to build 1,014 homes – an increase on the previously consent 970 homes – on the site of a former B&Q store, with the number of affordable homes increasing to 353.
Almost two thirds of the development will be dedicated to open space and will be centred around a new public park, providing a 171% biodiversity net gain.
Marcus Blake, regional managing director at St George, said: “Chalk Gardens will create a high quality neighbourhood which integrates sustainable residential development and lasting benefits for the area, including significant open space and landscaped public realm which reconnects the site with the nearby town centre. The revised and improved planning consent also enables us to deliver over 1,000 new homes including much needed new affordable housing for the local community.”
Jayne McCoy, chair of Sutton Council’s planning committee, added: “Chalk Gardens is a key part of the council’s plans to build a sustainable and vibrant town centre with more homes in the area and ensure more footfall in the high street. I am delighted that these new plans mean more affordable and council rent homes for people in desperate need of housing and show the council’s commitment to building quality and affordable homes for our residents. The Chalk Gardens development will play a significant part in the council delivering its target of 500 new council homes in five years.
“By building more homes in Sutton town centre, where the public transport connections are good, we also avoid the need to build in other parts of the borough and protect the special character of our district centres that our residents appreciate so much. The development will also deliver significant additional improvements for residents and the local area, including open spaces and the option for health services at this important site in Sutton town centre. It will be a really exciting new addition to the town centre for all residents to enjoy.”
