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Update 22nd November 2016:
Last night the Joint meeting of the East and North Area Planning Sub-Committees met and discussed the planning application 2016/2217 for 1024 homes on Green Belt adjacent to Fieldcommon.
We can confirm that the application was unanimously refused by all 19 members present.
The 4 reasons given for refusal are as below, Green Belt, Highways, proximity to Weylands, and Biodiversity. Later today the webcast should be archived on the Elmbridge Council website so if you would like to see the discussion you will be able to do so. Flooding was discussed extensively at the meeting but because the Environment Agency did not object, it was thought not possible to include it as an additional reason for refusal and it may weaken the reasons for refusal on any appeal, and those which are as below are thought to be strong reasons which would withstand appeal and which both Elmbridge and Surrey County Councils could robustly defend should an appeal by the applicant be mounted.
You can see a replay of last nights meeting here:
https://elmbridge.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/254896
Reasons For Refusal
1 – The proposed development represents inappropriate development in the Green Belt which is by definition harmful and it is not considered that the very special circumstances required to clearly outweigh the harm to the Green Belt and any other harm have been demonstrated in this case. The proposed development by reason of its prominent location would be detrimental to the character and openness of the Green Belt contrary to the requirements of the NPPF, paragraphs 79 -89, Elmbridge Core Strategy Policy CS1 and Elmbridge Local Plan Development Management Plan Policy DM17.
2 – It has not yet been demonstrated that the transport impact of the development can be sufficiently mitigated, particularly in respect of the inadequacy of the current level of public transport provision, such that a development of this scale in this location could not be considered sustainable in transport terms contrary to the objectives of the NPPF and Policy CS25 of the Elmbridge Core Strategy 2011.
3 – In addition, given the very close proximity of the proposed residential uses to the allocated waste site at Weylands STW, it is considered that the proposal has the potential to prejudice the development of the allocated site for waste management use due to the potential impacts associated with waste development such as odour, dust and noise of the proposed residential units close to the southern boundary of the application site contrary to the requirements of Surrey Waste Plan Policy WD2 and DC1 and Government Policy contained in the National Planning Policy for Waste (NPPW).
4 – Insufficient information has been submitted concerning the biodiversity issues on this site to be able to fully consider this matter. Accordingly the proposal is contrary to the requirements of Elmbridge Core Strategy 2011 Policy CS15, Elmbridge Development Management Plan 2015 Policy DM21, the NPPF and NERC Act 2006.
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Update 18th November 2016:
Drake Park – Officer Report out this afternoon recommends REFUSAL on 4 grounds including Green Belt, Highways, Weylands and biodiversity.
1 – The proposed development represents inappropriate development in the Green Belt which is by definition harmful and it is not considered that the very special circumstances required to clearly outweigh the harm to the Green Belt and any other harm have been demonstrated in this case. The proposed development by reason of its prominent location would be detrimental to the character and openness of the Green Belt contrary to the requirements of the NPPF, paragraphs 79 -89, Elmbridge Core Strategy Policy CS1 and Elmbridge Local Plan Development Management Plan Policy DM17.
2 – It has not yet been demonstrated that the transport impact of the development can be sufficiently mitigated, particularly in respect of the inadequacy of the current level of public transport provision, such that a development of this scale in this location could not be considered sustainable in transport terms contrary to the objectives of the NPPF and Policy CS25 of the Elmbridge Core Strategy 2011.
3 – In addition, given the very close proximity of the proposed residential uses to the allocated waste site at Weylands STW, it is considered that the proposal has the potential to prejudice the development of the allocated site for waste management use due to the potential impacts associated with waste development such as odour, dust and noise of the proposed residential units close to the southern boundary of the application site contrary to the requirements of Surrey Waste Plan Policy WD2 and DC1 and Government Policy contained in the National Planning Policy for Waste (NPPW).
4 – Insufficient information has been submitted concerning the biodiversity issues on this site to be able to fully consider this matter. Accordingly the proposal is contrary to the requirements of Elmbridge Core Strategy 2011 Policy CS15, Elmbridge Development Management Plan 2015 Policy DM21, the NPPF and NERC Act 2006.
This will now come before the Joint Meeting of the East and North Area Planning Sub-Committees
Monday, 21st November, 2016 7.00 pm
http://mygov.elmbridge.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=295&MId=2446
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Update 10th October 2016:
Key Dates:
Bonnar Allen Information Days – to be held at Esher Rugby Club:
Friday 14th October – 17:30 to 21:00
Saturday 15th October – 09:30 to 14:00
Elmbridge Borough Council Planning Committee Meeting:
Monday 21 November 2016 at 7pm
This is public meeting and anyone can attend. Elmbridge Borough Council have requested the extra side meeting rooms to be opened as a large attendance is expected.
Comments so far:
885 Objections
33 In Support
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We have received a copy of Surrey County Council’s Highways Assessment on the traffic impact of 1024 homes being build adjacent to Fieldcommon (Drake Park).
You can download the report in full (11 pages) here:
Drake Park SC Highways response 27 09 16
Whilst the assessment report is quite long and detailed we have posted what we consider to be the highlights below, we would encourage you to read the full report before making any formal comments on this application.
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The proposed development has been considered by The County Highway Authority who has assessed the application on safety, capacity and policy grounds and recommends the proposal be refused on the grounds that:
It has not yet been demonstrated that the transport impact of the development can be sufficiently mitigated, particularly in respect of the inadequacy of the current level of public transport provision, such that a development of this scale in this location could not be considered sustainable in transport terms contrary to the objections of the NPPF and Policy CS25 of the Elmbridge Core Strategy 2011.
If the Borough Council were minded to approve the application, this objection could be overcome if an appropriate agreement be secured before the grant of permission to provide the following:
Should such an agreement be secured then Surrey County Council as County Highways Authority would not wish to object to the application subject to additional conditions being placed on the planning permission.
See below for a table of predicted traffic increase at peak hours:
Hersham Station Arch – The capacity analysis indicates that currently this junction is operating within capacity during the traditional weekday peak hours, with a maximum degree of saturation of 66% and a mean maximum average queue length of 15 vehicles (usually when a busy train arrives at the station increasing local on street pick up activity). However this figure is the mean average maximum queue length, with actual peak period queue lengths varying between 10 and 20 vehicles, and the majority of vehicles clearing the junction within two cycles of the traffic signals.
The introduction of the background traffic growth, and committed development flows, increases the maximum degree of saturation to 74% with a corresponding average maximum queue length of 17 vehicles.
With the development in full occupation, the maximum degree of saturation is predicted to rise to 86% with the resultant average maximum queue length increasing to 22 vehicles. Although the development is predicted to increase the maximum degree of saturation by approximately 12% (based on the results of the 2019 design year) and the average maximum queue length by 5 vehicles, the junction is predicted to continue to operate under capacity and does not exceed 90% (degree of saturation) during either peak hour.
Consideration was given to widening this junction to enable two way traffic, this would involve significant modifications to the rail bridge. A feasibility study has been completed concluding that the cost of such works would be well in excess of £10 million and require approvals from Network Rail and extensive statutory services work that may not be possible to achieve.
Barley Mow Roundabout – This junction is currently operating close to capacity, and when the allowance for committed development and background traffic is added it would be over capacity. Two post development improvement options were considered, one which may bring the junction back to capacity and the other based on improved pedestrian and cyclist safety.
As the local highway network experiences a high proportion of road collisions involving cyclists and as it was felt that the proposed capacity improvements would not deliver all of the capacity suggested by the junction analysis, the preferred option was to improve cycle safety with the provision of a toucan crossing on Queensway South (just to the west of the junction.
(end official highways assessment)
Possibly with a views to taking advantage of the change in administration of Elmbridge Borough Council, the Planning Application for a Garden Village, comprising of 1024 homes, a Primary School, a public park, a Medical Centre, Supermarket, pub, offices and parking, at land on Molesey Road, adjacent to Fieldcommon, also known as Drake Park, is back with Elmbridge Council as a new Planning application. It is not yet registered with the application number or link to the documents, or closing date for any representations.
Elmbridge Borough Council Planning Application: 2016/2217
Comments by August 10th
“Cllr Malcolm Howard attended a meeting last night together with an Elmbridge Planning Officer at Elmbridge Council for a preview on the Drake Park proposals from the company Bonnar Allan and a representative from a company called Chelgate who are working with them.
The points made by the company were:
We understand Elmbridge Council propose to publish the Strategic Housing Market Assessment quite soon, and the Green Belt review is expected later this summer.”
If we receive any further information we will add it to this post.
Back to the Hersham Life Homepage
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Have you joined the Hersham Life group on Facebook?
www.facebook.com/groups/elmbridgelife/
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Weylands Waste Plant – An Update
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Construction to begin on the Hersham Lidl store
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Hersham – A History
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Leisure Live – Hersham
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Stress Management Techniques – plus Free Download
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