Tooting History Group has been concerned about the redevelopment of 46,Longley Road, Tooting for 10 years. The house is one of the most historic in Tooting, having once been lived in by the world-famous music hall and radio star, Sir Harry Lauder. The developer has flouted the agreed planning permission and ignored conditions agreed by Wandsworth Council in 2020. Despite numerous complaints from THG and local residents, no enforcement action has been taken by the Council until now.

At the Planning Applications Committee on 23rd October, Planning Enforcement Officers are recommending the developer takes remedial action to rectify the breeches of planning permission. It is extremely disappointing to THG that our previous complaints were ignored and investigations were closed. We are asking that the remedial work will take less than the 14 months outlined in the report.

You can read the 29 page Planning Enforcement Report here

You can view the live webcast of the Planning Applications Committee on 23rd October at 7.30 here

You can read more about Sir Harry Lauder here

The full THG response to the proposed Planning Enforcement action is as follows:

London Borough of Wandsworth

Planning Applications Committee

23rd October 2025

Committee Paper 25-349 Proposed Enforcement Action At 46 Longley Road, Tooting

Tooting History Group Response

Tooting History Group is pleased to see that planning enforcement action is finally proposed regarding the development at 46 Longley Road, SW17 9LL. However, it is extremely concerning that this action is only being put forward after 8 years of repeated representations to Wandsworth planning authority by ourselves, local residents and local Councillors.

46 Longley Road was a fine Victorian villa and garden with important historic significance having once been the residence of Sir Harry Lauder. This is recognised by the LCC blue plaque on the building and its local listing. It has been subjected to an appalling combination of neglect, abuse, inappropriate “design” and poor quality development far beyond the scope of the plans agreed by this authority.

There was a protracted period where inappropriate plans were rejected by the PAC or withdrawn by the applicant. The property was meanwhile used to store and dump waste from other developments. THG was relieved to consider application 2020/1405. This was a more modest, proportionate proposal sensitive to the architectural and historic integrity of the building. We were reassured by conditions including requirements relating to external materials used (Condition 3); a Construction management strategy (Condition 4) and agreed landscaping of the surrounding areas (Condition 6). To our immense concern and dismay, none of these conditions have been met.

Since this application was approved, no less than six enforcement actions were opened but closed without any meaningful action being taken to require the developer to adhere to the agreed plans 2020/1405 and the conditions attached thereto. We have read the 29 page Enforcement Report and believe it essential that all 6 remedial actions detailed in Paragraph 14.3 are agreed and actioned as a minimum to repair and restore no. 46. We suggest that the developer is given less than the 14 months proposed to rectify the breaches outlined in the report, given the long-running abuse of the planning process outlined therein.

WBC must signal to future property developers and owners in Tooting and elsewhere in the borough that it will not tolerate such levels of disregard for the planning process and that it is fully committed to ensure a better maintained and built environment for residents and visitors.

Libby Lawson

Conservation Officer

Tooting History Group