Around 500 new flats could be coming to the area around Sutton station soon.
Developers revealed the plans to replace the existing office block unit. Under the plans, Quadrant House will be replaced by a ‘highly sustainable build-to-rent and co-living project’ opposite the station.
Amro, the developers, acquired the 200,000 sq ft of empty office space in 2022, with intentions to develop on the site.
Opened in 1980, the office block towers over the station’s southerly access point on Brighton Road and has become a familiar site to many locals and commuters alike.
The plans state that of the 500 flats, 35 per cent would be affordable and 25 per cent would be designed to accommodate families. The flats will be a mix of co-living and build to rent.
They have also committed to working with Network Rail to improve safety for pedestrians and potential residents by increasing CCTV coverage and improving paving and street lighting around the site entrance.
This news follows the news that 970 new flats will be built on the site of the current B&Q store, which is due to close its doors for the last time this Saturday. Despite their approval, the plans drew great concern from residents that feel the new developments will place a great strain on Sutton’s stretched public services.
While a planning application has not yet been submitted, it is expected to come through later this summer, with construction expected to commence at the end of 2025. It is so far unclear how tall the new development could be, or whether it will eclipse Quadrant House’s 19-storeys.
Amro has stressed how it will work with Sutton Women’s Centre, a local charity, to address anti-social behaviour around the station. With them, they plan to install new public art and create a ‘new public realm where local residents can feel safe and secure’.
In their plans, Amro said: “Following early consultation work with the charity, and in collaboration with Network Rail and Sutton Highways Department, Amro has already committed to significantly improving the journey of pedestrians moving between the secondary train station access point, Quadrant House and Brighton Road.”
Amro have also announced they will sponsor the charity for a three-year period, which they hope will help ‘develop the ‘building a Safer Sutton’ campaign, which will provide training, education and raise awareness of safety for women throughout the borough’.
Abigail Heraty, development manager at Amro Partners, said: “We intend for the redevelopment of Quadrant House to be a catalyst for significant and lasting improvements to the surrounding public realm, improving the safety of people using the area around the train station and, in particular, women walking home. We value the insight and expertise provided by Sutton Women’s Centre and look forward to working closely with them to make these plans a reality.”
Heather Smiles, counselling and outreach lead at Sutton Women’s Centre, said: “We are delighted to be working with Amro to improve the safety of women and girls in Sutton through education, training and making physical changes to our environment.
“We were delighted to attend Amro’s recent workshop where we consulted on their vision for Quadrant House and after listening to our opinions, plans are underway to transform an alleyway that felt unsafe for women into an attractive route connecting the development with the station.
“The development will be one of Europe’s most sustainable residential buildings on completion in 2027. Taking a retrofit-first approach, around 65 per cent of the existing office building structure will be retained, delivering significant carbon savings. Co-working spaces will be available to all local people via a membership scheme, in addition to a brand new community hub.”
