Five dwellings with phasing at Sandelands, Woodland Avenue, Cranleigh

What was proposed

The application sought to add a CIL phasing plan and reword conditions so five approved dwellings could be built in phases.

“The proposal seeks to vary Condition 2 of WA/2024/01889 (approved plans) to allow a phasing plan and for Conditions 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15 and 17 to be reworded to allow for the development to be constructed in phases.”

“The proposed changes are as follows: ‒ Addition of a CIL Phasing Plan.”

Officer report

The site

Sandelands is a large dwelling on a spacious plot beside Woodland Avenue, with a brook, protected trees and a mainly residential setting.

“Sandelands is a large, two-storey dwelling with third floor within a mansard roof, situated on a spacious verdant plot to the north-east of Woodland Avenue, adjacent to Ewhurst Road in the developed settlement of Cranleigh. The area is residential in character with relatively flat site levels. The surrounding character is individual detached houses set in large garden plots from 1930s – 1970s with grass verges along Woodlands Avenue.”

“Littlemead Brook runs along the northern and western boundary of the site with several TPOs flanking the east, west and north of the site.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

The five-dwelling scheme was granted in July 2025, while an earlier request for a flexible CIL phasing plan was refused as a non-material amendment.

“Reference Proposal Decision NMA/2025/02015 Amendment to WA/2024/01889 to allow for the addition of a flexible phasing plan for CIL purposes. NON MATERIAL”

“AMENDMENT REFUSED (13/11/2025) NMA/2025/01704 Amendment to WA/2024/01889 - to condition 13 which requires a 10-metre buffer between the culvert and the built development in accordance with the recommendation in the FRA - the 10m buffer from the watercourse culverts is not necessary and was not based on any particular legislation or guidance requirements; an 8-metre buffer would be more suitable and does not materially alter the effectiveness of the condition.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Council technical consultees raised no objection subject to phased conditions, while the parish council objected to prolonged disruption and highway risks.

“Consultees Comments Council’s Tree and Landscape Officer No objection (subject to conditions to update arboricultural information to reflect a phased approach) (09/02/2026) Lead Local Flood Authority No objection. (19/01/2026) Environment Agency No comment.”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Twenty-five letters objected to longer construction disruption, uncertainty, traffic and safety risks, possible stalled development, and effects on the site and wildlife.

“‒ Longer disruption from a phased development (noise, dust, construction traffic) ‒ Uncertainty from increased construction timescales. ‒ Increases perception of unfair planning system for developers. ‒ Financial risk and character impact from potential stalled projects. ‒ Should be delivered in a single phase. ‒ Increased risk to pedestrians from construction traffic. ‒ Overdevelopment of the site.”

Officer report

Public speakers

Under the public speaking scheme, an objector and a supporter made representations that the committee considered.

The committee decision

After debate, the committee voted for the officers’ recommendation by 12 votes to none, with no abstentions, and granted permission subject to conditions.

“Following debate , the Committee voted in favour of the officers recommendation to grant permission 12 in favour, none against and no abstentions.”

“Subject to conditions, permission be GRANTED”

Minutes