We are at the end of the first week of the Public Inquiry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you to all those of you who were able to come along to support us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The week started with all three parties giving their opening statements. \u00a0As you would expect our statement questioned the suitability of the development proposal in this particular location, taking account of its sustainability, accessibility, environmental effects and relationship with the horse-racing and training industry. We asked that the decision be taken based on a realistic understanding of how Langley Vale operates, including the circumstances experienced by those who live and work here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Langley Vale Resident Suzanne Morris, Councillor Steven McCormick and Tim Murphy, Chair of the local Epsom & Ewell group of CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) spoke as interested parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Council presented their case first and their three witnesses were then questioned by the Appellant’s KC. Then it was our turn. Pat Phelan, Stud Manager and Racehorse trainer at Ermyn Lodge Stud presented his evidence on the Horse Racing and Training Industry in Epsom. He explained why there wasn’t an alternative route to the gallops for the stables to the south of the site and focussed on the impact of the dust and noise during construction on highly tuned, sensitive thoroughbred racehorses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was followed by Andy Ward our Highways consultant on whether the site would provide a sustainable location for new housing. In presenting his proof he examined whether the appellant\u2019s assessment adequately reflected how future residents would reach employment, schools, shops and other services; whether walking, cycling and public transport provided realistic alternatives to the private car and whether the local road network could safely support the additional traffic generated by the new development. John Mumford was our final witness who addressed the planning consequences of the proposed development. He emphasised that the new Local Plan had recently scrutinised all the possible sites in the Borough to meet our future housing needs that the Farm View site had been specifically excluded because of its inaccessible location and harm from development could not be mitigated and that the appeal should therefore be dismissed.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was also a round table session chaired by the Inspector on planning conditions and obligations which John represented residents at and most significantly asked for a further badger survey to be carried out given the conflict between the Appellant and our findings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Inspector visited the site on Thursday afternoon including viewing the site from property in Langley Close. She then walked to Tattenham Corner from the village.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a tough first week against a prominent highly regarded KC representing Fairfax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next week it will be the Appellant’s chance to argue their case and we will be robustly challenging their witnesses<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has been agreed that our closing statements will be submitted in writing rather than presenting them to the meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then all we can do is await the outcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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