Wallington locals divided by mental health centre plans

Tonight (August 5), Sutton Council's Planning Committee will meet to decide an application by Canopy Planning Services Ltd for 21 Morton Gardens.

The proposal would turn the four-bedroom semi-detached house into a home providing short-term support for adults experiencing acute emotional or mental health distress.

Up to four adults aged between 18 and 65 could stay at the property at any one time, with visits expected to last between one and four days.

READ MORE: The Sutton primary school where kids are taught to 'be safe, be ready, be kind'

Residents would be given a place to stay, meals, emotional support and help accessing NHS services.

However, the property would not be a psychiatric hospital or medical clinic.

Planning documents state all clinical interventions, risk assessments and medication decisions would remain the responsibility of the local NHS Mental Health Trust's Home Treatment Team.

The home would be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with a registered manager and two support workers on duty at all times.

The plans have prompted concerns from some nearby residents.

A petition signed by 14 people has been submitted to Sutton Council, alongside three individual objections from neighbouring households.

Resident Wayne Watling said: "I do not believe that this is an appropriate use of a family house within a residential area, where family housing stock is in short supply.

"There is already in the area a number of residences which have been split into multiple residences, including Morton Gardens, which, in my opinion, is enough."

Shaun De Moura said: "There is significant demand for family properties in the area, and the road is located within touching distance of highly regarded grammar schools and numerous primary schools which would be better served by keeping the property as a residential family home set up.

"A property two doors down on the same side of the road recently went on to the market and sold very quickly - showing there is significant demand for family homes in the area."

Paul Sewell said: "When we purchased our property, we understood that these were family homes, ideally located for families with school-aged children.

"We were not aware that they could be converted into commercial properties, and certainly not for the type of use now being proposed.

"We are particularly concerned about issues such as antisocial behaviour, late-night visitors, and parking, all of which form part of our objection.

"We are also very concerned about the constant change of occupancy and the uncertainty over who will be living directly among our families."

The application was brought before the Planning Committee after Cllr Barry Lewis requested it be considered by councillors following the objections.

However, council planning officers have recommended that permission is granted, saying the facility would meet an identified local need for mental health support.

A report to councillors states the service would provide "essential community" healthcare support and help move mental health crisis care away from overstretched hospital settings.

Officers said the home would operate on a small scale, with only four residents at a time, meaning its impact would be similar to that of a large family household.

The report adds that strict rules would be in place to minimise disruption, including limits on visitors and requiring staff handovers to take place inside the property.

The applicant said: "The proposed service is intended to operate as a small-scale, well-managed service that sits comfortably within the existing neighbourhood.

"It will meet an identified local need while supporting vulnerable individuals in a safe, structured, and respectful environment.

"Robust management arrangements will be in place to ensure the property is well maintained, residents are appropriately supported, and there is no adverse impact on neighbouring properties or local amenity.

"We believe the development will contribute positively to the area and community."

People staying at the home would only be accepted through referrals from healthcare professionals, such as GPs or NHS crisis teams, rather than being able to refer themselves.

Only minor changes are proposed to the building, with no alterations to the front of the house.

New fencing would be added to the side and rear to improve security and privacy.

Planning officers also say parking is unlikely to be an issue because residents would not have their own cars.

The existing driveway would provide space for staff and visiting healthcare professionals.

Sutton Council's Highways Engineer, Environmental Health team, Waste Management team and the London Fire Brigade have all raised no objections to the proposal.

The final decision on whether the Wallington home can become a mental health crisis facility will be made by Sutton Council's Planning Committee tonight.