Woodcote (Epsom) Residents Society

Bringing forward the next stage of the Local Plan (Regulation 19) for public consultation is a key priority for the Council and is expected to take place in early 2025.

You may well be aware of recent Government announcements about reforming planning in order to deliver its national ambition for 1.5 million new homes by the end of this five-year parliament. This involves a range of radical proposals including changes to how local housing need is calculated for Local Plan purposes and the concept of ‘Grey Belt’ whereby low performing sites in the Green Belt can be identified for development.

The proposals as they stand would result in our housing need figure increasing by 41 per cent – going from 576 homes a year to 817. The previous housing figures were already difficult to achieve within the new Draft Local Plan and this additional scale of development would be likely to seriously threaten and undermine the character and amenity of our Borough.

Both the Council and the umbrella organisation for the Residents Associations across Epsom and Ewell (SCoRA) have recently responded to the Government consultation on the planning reforms. These express support for some of the suggested policy changes relating, for example,
to improving the delivery of much needed affordable and social housing.

Strong objections have also been lodged though to proposals which could lead to excessive high density, high-rise development at odds with the prevailing character and heritage of the Borough.

John Mumford, Chair

A major planning application has been submitted for the phased redevelopment for:

1. full planning permission for the demolition of existing buildings and structures, site wide remediation and the erection of five residential buildings (ranging between 8-12 storeys),

new access arrangements, parking, hard and soft landscaping, open space and other associated works and 

2. outline planning permission, with all matters reserved except access, for the separate development demolition and re-provision of a Performing Arts Centre and Education building, hard and soft landscaping and other associated works.

Whilst this is not in or adjacent to our Woodcote & Langley Vale ward it is a significant proposal which has major implications for the town centre and all borough residents. Details can be viewed here and entering the case reference number 24/01107/FUL

Any representations should be submitted to the Council by 24 September. It is expected that the application will be considered at the December meeting of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s Planning Committee.

Last year WERS objected to a planning application to demolish and remove the existing buildings and erect 23 dwellings. We objected on the grounds that the proposed residential redevelopment would be an inappropriate use in the Green Belt. The proposed development will completely change the character of the area with a loss of openness and result in the suburbanisation of this essential and high performing section of Green Belt. 

The applicant has now appealed to the Secretary of State the decision by Mole Valley Borough Council to refuse the application. Details of the appeal are available on Mole Valley’s planning portal here. If you wish to make any representations to the Planning Inspector regarding this appeal you can do that here and entering the case reference number 3347843 in the search box. Representations must be received by 20 September 2024.

A revised planning application has now been submitted for a 3 dwelling unit scheme for the redevelopment of the Green Gables site.

This follows on from the earlier refusal for a 4-unit scheme on the site This scheme is considered by the applicant to address the previous officer reasons for refusal relating to perceived harm to the character of the area, ecology of the site and street trees.

Details can be found here and you can submit comments on the application until 6 August 2024.

Woodcote (Epsom) Residents’ Society (W(E)RS) is pleased to confirm its support for this three unit scheme which it considers to be appropriate for the site in terms of design, scale and materials and safeguards residential amenity, townscape and character of the surrounding area. We have asked that any permission is subject to appropriate conditions covering landscaping, trees, boundary fencing and obscure glazing. This should include a condition restricting householder permitted development rights in order to safeguard the spaciousness and verdancy of the submitted scheme.