Plans to demolish Wallington Hall and build two housing blocks which include more than 30 homes have been approved.

Sutton Council’s planning committee green-lighted the decision for the site, in Stafford Road, at last night’s meeting (March 21).

There will be eight one-bedroom flats, 21 with two bedrooms, and two three-bedrooms, with 11 - or 35 percent - of them to be classed as ‘affordable housing’, according to applicant Sutton Living Ltd.

A council report said: “The loss of the community facility, the 39 public parking spaces and two independently operated shops within Wallington District Centre is considered acceptable having regard to the hall’s extended vacancy and the costs associated with its continued use for community purposes.

“Moreover, the development would incorporate a ground floor commercial unit fronting Stafford Road of an equivalent size to compensate for that which would be lost.

“The proposed scheme is considered to be of a good design quality, addressing Stafford Road with a strong frontage and providing a sense of continuity in built form. In addition, the bulk and massing of two detached, part three, part four-storey blocks arranged in a broadly linear layout is considered to be acceptable, having regard to the existing site circumstances.

“Moreover, the scheme proposes to retain the trees within, or adjoining the site which are of local amenity value.”

Nine comments have been made on the application so far, seven of which are objections.

A major reason why proposals were submitted by the developers was to do with Wallington Hall’s condition and maintenance costs.

It has remained vacant since it was closed almost three years ago on March 31, 2015.

Sutton Living Ltd, in their planning statement, said: “It has been repeatedly stated in various council committee reports that the building [Wallington Hall] is in poor condition, with poor access and high upkeep costs that mean refurbishment will not be cost effective.

“The provision of 31 residential units in such a sustainable location must be welcomed and would make a valuable contribution to the borough’s delivery of housing in an area that has been identified for intensification through planning policy.

“With clear evidence demonstrating that the continued use of the site by the council for community use is both unsustainable and unviable, the neighbouring context of the surrounding area would suggest that a mixed use residential and commercial scheme would be an appropriate alternative use for this site.”

The developers must first complete a S106 legal agreement before midday on April 17 before works go ahead.