Eight commercial units at London Road, Send

What was proposed

The application proposed eight commercial units with parking, a new access, landscaping, drainage, a substation and other supporting infrastructure.

“Location: Land at the eastern end of Burnt Common Nurseries, London Road, Send, GU23 7JX Proposal: Erection of eight commercial units, parking, associated infrastructure including new access, substation, attenuation pond and landscaping.”

“Key information The application site forms the eastern part of allocation A45 and represents the third phase in the delivery of the allocation. The Policy sets out that light industrial is located towards the existing residential area to the east of the site with general industrial and storage and distribution located to the west.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is open land beside an existing employment site, between the A3 and London Road, with trees, residential properties and a public footpath nearby.

“The site comprises an area of open land adjoining an existing employment site (Burnt Common Warehouse), south west of the site. The site is found at the southern end of Send village and is accessed of London Road (B2215). The application site is approximately 3.85ha.”

“The surrounding context is a mixture of open land and commercial development and there are residential properties to the rear which front on Clandon Road (A247) . There is a public footpath at the rear of the site, the footpath was interrupted and severed by the A3. The route is now overgrown and largely unused. The properties to the rear on Clandon Road are generally large properties with a mix of styles and age.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector, a parish councillor speaking for Send Parish Council, and the agent speaking in support addressed the committee.

What members debated

Members debated traffic on the B2215 and surrounding villages, earlier slip-road proposals, the allocated status, operating restrictions and the weight of the highway consultee’s view.

“In debate, Members raised concerns regarding the impact of additional traffic on the local road network, particularly the suitability of the B2215 and the effect on surrounding villages. Members discussed the late representations submitted by Send Parish Council and the history of the previously proposed Burnt Common slip roads.”

“Whilst some Members considered that the absence of a highway objection from Surrey County Council Highways carried significant weight, others remained concerned that the local road network was unsuitable to accommodate the level and type of traffic likely to be generated by the development. Members considered that, notwithstanding the allocated status of the site, the proposal would result in an unacceptable impact on the existing highway network.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee refused the application because the B2215 and existing road network were unsuitable and the development would cause an adverse impact contrary to Policy ID1.

“Councillor Oven moved the motion to refuse application 24/P/01125 on the basis of Policy ID1, on the grounds that the existing road network, specifically the B2215, was unsuitable to serve the proposed development and that the proposal would therefore result in an otherwise adverse impact, contrary to policy ID1 of local plan. The motion was seconded by Councillor Hives and carried.”

“RESOLVED: That application 24/P/01125 be REFUSED, on the grounds that the existing road network, specifically the B2215, was unsuitable to serve the proposed development and that the proposal would therefore result in an otherwise adverse impact, contrary to policy ID1 of local plan.”

Minutes