Ten-home development changes at 2 Fairmile Lane, Cobham
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Elmbridge Planning Committee on 14 Jul 2026.
The site
The site contains a detached two-storey house on the eastern side of Fairmile Lane and has surface water flooding and other listed constraints.
“The application site contains a detached two-storey house on the eastern side of Fairmile Lane in Cobham.”
“The following constraints are of relevance: • Classified (C) Road • Surface Water Flooding (Medium and High Risk) • Thames Basin Heath Special Protection Area 5km buffer…”
Officer report
Earlier applications
The existing ten-home scheme was granted, while later applications included refusals, a withdrawal, an appeal and compliance decisions.
“Reference Description Decision 2025/3356 Confirmation of Compliance with Conditions: 4 (Landscaping - scheme), 11 (Surface Water Drainage Scheme), 13 (Insulation - Residential to residential), 14 (External Lighting Scheme), 15 (Ecological Enhancement Plans), 18 (Additional Arboricultural Information) and 26 (Construction Transport Management Plan) of planning permission 2023/2545.”
“Refused; Currently at Appeal 6003836 2025/1690 Deed of Variation to planning permission 2023/2545 to remove the requirement for an affordable housing contribution. Refused 2024/2094 A detached two-storey building with rooms in the roof space, dormer windows and rear balconies containing 11 flats and 2 detached two-storey houses with rooms in the roof space, associated garages, bin and cycle stores and parking following the demolition of the existing dwelling and…”
Officer report
Officers’ recommendation
Officers recommended permission because the design changes were minor, the development remained viable only without affordable housing, and no planning harm was identified.
“Policy CS21: Affordable Housing of the Council’s Core Strategy (2011) requires that development resulting in the net gain of 6-14 residential units should provide 30% of the gross number of dwellings on-site as affordable housing. The policy compliant affordable housing provision comprising three on-site affordable housing units has been previously secured under original planning permission.”
Officer report
Residents’ concerns
Eleven letters objected on grounds including scale, character, traffic, parking, affordable housing, construction, trees, drainage, privacy and overlooking.
“Eleven letters of representation have been received raising the following objections and concerns: • Excessive in scale and density • At odds with the character of the area • Detrimental impact on traffic, highway and pedestrian safety and parking • Insufficient parking provision • No affordable housing • Insufficient infrastructure to support the development • Deed of Variation application 2025/1690 was previously refused • Weight was given by Members to the affordable…”
“Overbearing impact • Drainage issues • Proposed housing is not affordable for first time buyers • Light, air and noise pollution • Properties to the rear missing from the street scene…”
Officer report
Consultation
Forty-two neighbouring properties were consulted and a site notice was displayed; no consultations were listed.
“Forty two neighbouring properties have been consulted on this application. A site notice was also displayed at the application site advertising the application.”
Officer report
The committee’s decision
The committee permitted the application with the conditions and informatives set out in the agenda.
“Permit with the conditions and informatives as outlined in the agenda.”
Minutes
Sources
- Elmbridge Planning Committee minutes, 14 July 2026
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Elmbridge's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Committee
- Elmbridge Planning Committee
- Council
- Elmbridge
- Date
- Tuesday 14 July 2026
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- View application →
- All decisions
- Elmbridge committee decisions →
This committee's year
24 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 4 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.