Woodcote (Epsom) Residents Society

The proposal for 110 homes on our Green Belt land adjoining Langley Vale Village poses a real threat to our community. This land is not only a vital part of Epsom Downs but also an Area of Great Landscape Value, contributing to the beauty of our surroundings and the charm of our historic racecourse. We cannot let this development diminish the quality of life we cherish.

The impacts would be severe, from increased traffic to strained local services

We are continuing to raise funds urgently to pay for our campaign. Costs will include professional planning consultancy support of the region of £2,500 plus the cost of a formal objection to the planning application and any possible subsequent planning appeal, transport, environmental and legal advice, surveys and campaign materials

If you are able, and haven’t already done so, please support our local community and oppose developer greed by donating here. There is no time to lose with the planning application process underway.

As expected the developer Fairfax Aspire has now submitted an outline application for up to 110 dwellings. Details are available here.

Fundraiser launched today – Please donate as you can

WERS in conjunction with the Langley Vale Action Group will be ensuring a robust objection is submitted to this application.

We have launched our fundraiser today and details, and what the funds raised will be used for, can be found here. Please donate if you can.

WERS is delighted to confirm that the Government Planning Inspector has dismissed the appeal by the developer Homes by Harlequin for a detached dwelling house midway along the farm track to Langley Bottom Farm. Reference: APP/P3610/W/25/3359376

WERS had played a prominent role in ensuring that the original planning application was refused permission by the Borough Council’s Planning Committee. WERS also submitted a robust objection on behalf of local residents to the planning appeal. 

The developer deliberately removed the landscape covering to expose the footings of the long-since demolished agricultural dwelling that was once there and attempted to hoodwink the Inspector that the proposal was merely a replacement dwelling and that its impact on the Green Belt and landscape would be minimal.  The Inspector supported WERS assertion that it was ridiculous to claim that what was being proposed was a replacement dwelling. He found that : ‘The appellant’s arguments therefore largely rely on overlooking the fact that what remains on site is not a farmhouse but a few pieces of what were once a dwelling.’

The Inspector also supported WERS contention that the proposal would have a significant visual impact on the landscape character and on the views available to people and their visual amenity. He concluded in his dismissal letter that :

‘it would appear as a sporadic development and piecemeal urbanisation of a generally open area of land which forms part of the transition between the built environs of Langley Vale and the wider countryside setting. Therefore, the proposed dwelling would not assimilate into the landscape but instead have an adverse effect on the character and appearance of the area. It would therefore conflict with Policy CS5 of the Epsom and Ewell Core Strategy 2007 and Policies DM9 and DM10 of the Epsom and Ewell Development Management Policies Document 2015. These policies, amongst other things, seek to ensure that developments complement the attractive characteristics of the Borough and make a positive contribution to the natural environment and a site’s surroundings. ‘

This decision should be enormously helpful in WERS campaign alongside Langley Vale residents to ensure that the proposal for 110 dwellings on the adjacent field is refused planning permission.  

Despite Councillor Liz Frost speaking against the latest application at the Planning Committee meeting on 10 July and putting up a sterling case for refusal it was approved by the Committee.

The approval is for the demolition of the residential dwelling at 6A Bucknills Close and office building at 13 Whitehorse Drive and the construction of nine residential units (3×2 bed and 6 x 3 bed) together with car parking, landscaping and access arrangements.

We are delighted that WERS objections to this scheme on behalf of local residents has been completely vindicated with the Inspector’s decision to dismiss the appeal. The appeal decision can be found here.

A further application has now been received for a 9 unit scheme which now incorporates the adjacent builders yard. WERS will be responding to this shortly. You can submit comments/objections until Thursday 10 April 2025.