65 homes and maisonettes at Land at Ockham Road, West Horsley

What was proposed

The application proposed 65 houses and maisonettes, with landscaping, an equipped play area, an attenuation pond, open space and access.

“Location: Land at Ockham Road, West Horsley, KT24 Proposal: Residential development comprising 65 houses and maisonettes with associated landscaping, equipped play area, attenuation pond and access…”

Officer report

The site and setting

The site is open paddock land within housing allocation A39, accessed from Ockham Road North and surrounded by residential development, vegetation and fields.

“The site, as set out in the supporting Planning Statement, can be described as open paddock land. The site is located on flat terrain, flanked on all sides by residential development and more recently new residential developments to the west. The immediate site boundary is typically delineated by vegetation comprising, small tree belts, hedgerows and scattered trees, often in…”

“The site is accessed from the public highway at a single point on the B2039 Ockham Road North. There are no heritage assets (Listed Buildings or Conservation Areas) in the vicinity of the site.”

Officer report

Earlier development nearby

A neighbouring 35-home residential scheme was approved in 2022, followed by one withdrawn and one approved non-material amendment application.

“23/N/00068 Non-material amendment application to remove condition 11 from planning permission 21/P/00917.”

“23/N/00111 Non-material amendment of planning application 21/P/00917. Approved 06/05/2022. To alter wording of compliance condition 10. Approve 14.02.2024”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered the allocated site, housing supply contribution, affordable homes, transport measures, drainage strategy and other benefits outweighed the identified harms.

“The Framework 2024 states that to support the Government’s objective of significantly boosting the supply of homes, it is important that a sufficient amount and variety of land can come forward where it is needed, that the needs of grounds with specific housing requirements are addressed and that land with permission is developed without unnecessary delay.”

“The site is allocated as part of the Local Plan under Allocation A39. Whilst the status of the Local Plan is out of date due to the lack of housing supply, the purpose of the allocation in boosting the Borough’s Housing Land supply carries very significant weight having already been examined and tested through public examination.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Highways, flood, environmental health, education, Thames Water and the Environment Agency raised no objections subject to conditions or contributions.

“County Highway Authority: No objection subject to conditions and contributions towards public transport and highways works.”

“Head of Environmental Health and Licensing: No objections subject to conditions…”

Officer report

Objections from councils and residents

Parish councils and residents objected over sustainability, character, infrastructure, flooding, highways, ecology, privacy, construction and insufficient community engagement.

“In addition to the above, there has been a lack of community engagement. As far as can be established, and according to GBC, the applicants took no pre-application advice, and have not been through a Design Review Panel. They would not engage with WHPC despite being contacted by WHPC by email and responding on their website.”

“East Horsley Parish Council - Object: a) A hard urban development has been proposed for a semi-rural site at the edge of the West Horsley settlement, totally out of character for this locality and contrary to the NPPF and Local Plan; b) The impact on local ecology will be catastrophic, with a Biodiversity Net Loss of 50%; c) Transport sustainability is not demonstrated and the site is highly car dependent; d) There is an acute shortage of local primary school places which…”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

Two objectors, a parish council representative, a supporter and the ward councillor addressed the committee, followed by the planning officer’s presentation.

What members debated

Members discussed sustainability, neighbourhood plan weight, parking, flooding, drainage, infrastructure, affordable housing, construction, play space, layout, density and maintenance.

“In debate, Members raised concerns regarding the sustainability of the location, the weight to be afforded to policies within the West Horsley Neighbourhood Plan, parking provision, local flooding issues, drainage arrangements and the cumulative impact of development within the Horsleys area.”

“Members also questioned the adequacy of local infrastructure, including school capacity, the provision and management of affordable housing, and the potential impact of construction activity on neighbouring residents. Concerns were expressed regarding the location of the equipped play area, the overall layout and density of the scheme and the long-term maintenance of drainage features associated with the development.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The chair’s motion to delegate authority and grant planning permission subject to a Section 106 agreement was seconded and carried.

“Following members debate, the Chair moved the motion to delegate authority to the Assistant Director of Planning to agree the final wording of the planning conditions and grant planning permission subject to a S106 agreement being entered into to secure the contribution and delivery of the Highway Improvements, Policing, Open Space, Allotments, Sustainable Drainage, Affordable Housing, Healthcare and Off-Site Biodiversity Net Gain as set out in the Officer’s report.”

“The motion was seconded by Councillor Shaw and was carried.”

Minutes

The decision

Authority was delegated to finalise conditions and planning permission was granted subject to contributions and delivery secured through a Section 106 agreement.

“RESOLVED: That AUTHORITY BE DELEGATED to the Assistant Director of Planning to agree the final wording of the planning conditions and GRANT planning permission for application 22/P/01538, subject to a S106 agreement being entered into to secure the contribution and delivery of the Highway Improvements, Policing, Open Space, Allotments, Sustainable Drainage, Affordable Housing, Healthcare and Off-Site Biodiversity Net Gain as set out in the Officer’s report.”

Minutes