Eight family homes at Burghfield, Send Hill, Send, Woking

“Location: Burghfield, Send Hill, Send, Woking, GU23 7HR Proposal: Erection of 8 new three and four bedroom family dwellings with associated hard and soft landscaping and formation of new access to Send Hill, following demolition of Burghfield and assorted garden out buildings.”

“The application site measures approximately 0.345 hectares, and comprises a detached single storey dwelling 'Burghfield' and the rear garden of Hawthorn Place to the north. The site is located to the western side of Send Hill. The area is characterised by residential development set within a linear pattern with newer spurs of residential development extending to the east and west of Send Hill.”

“To the rear (western boundary) runs footpath F57 which extends along the rear of properties both to the north and south. The Green Belt boundary is to the immediate west.”

“Added value: Amended plans and information was sought and received to address concerns regarding the amount of development, large vehicle access and ecology matters.”

“Relevant planning history. No relevant planning history.”

“The proposal would result in a net increase of 7 dwellings. Each would comply with the Nationally Described Space Standards and include private outdoor amenity space. The proposal would be of a suitable scale and design, no unacceptable harm to character would arise. No unacceptable harm to residential amenity would arise. S.106 contributions are required to secure the necessary mitigation for the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area and Biodiversity Net Gain.”

“RECOMMENDATION: That delegated authority be granted to the Assistant Director of Planning to grant planning permission subject to a S106 agreement being entered into to secure the provision of SANG and SAMM Contributions in accordance with the adopted tariff of the SPA Avoidance Strategy to mitigate against the impact on the Thames Basin Heath Special Protection Area and to secure Biodiversity Net Gain and its monitoring in accordance with Policy P7 of the LPDMP and NPPF.”

“Surrey Wildlife Trust: request the BNG metric is updated to reflect the GBC adopted target of at least 20%, amend the Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment to take into account the guidance regarding habitat creation in private gardens, clarification sought regarding on site trees and their condition; clarification on the characterisation of the bat roost and species.”

“Internal consultees Head of Environmental Health and Licensing: No objection subject to a condition regarding a Demolition and Construction Environmental Management Plan.”

“In debate, Members acknowledged concerns raised in relation to the Send Neighbourhood Plan and the impact on local character, noting that while the development was not entirely in keeping with the existing pattern of development along Send Hill, this did not attract sufficient weight to justify refusal.”

“Members expressed some regret that the scheme did not retain a larger buffer to the rear, but accepted that the impact on amenity was not considered unacceptable. Concerns were also raised about the level of detail reserved for conditions and the reliance on post-permission approvals, as well as issues relating to sewerage capacity.”

“The Chair then moved the motion to approve application 25/P/00110, with delegated authority granted to the Assistant Director of Planning to grant planning permission subject to a S106 agreement being entered into to secure the provision of SANG and SAMM Contributions in accordance with the adopted tariff of the SPA Avoidance Strategy to mitigate against the impact on the Thames Basin Heath Special Protection Area and to secure Biodiversity Net Gain and its monitoring in…”

“RESOLVED: That application 25/P/00110 be approved, with delegated authority granted to the Assistant Director of Planning to grant planning permission subject to a S106 agreement being entered into to secure the provision of SANG and SAMM Contributions in accordance with the adopted tariff of the SPA Avoidance Strategy to mitigate against the impact on the Thames Basin Heath Special Protection Area and to secure Biodiversity Net Gain and its monitoring in accordance with…”