30 homes at Castle Grove Nursery, Chobham, Woking

The site and its history

The site was a former horticultural nursery in the Green Belt, surrounded by housing, and an earlier 40-home scheme was dismissed at appeal.

“2.0SITE DESCRIPTION 2.1The application site is located southwest of the settlement of Chobham and lies within the Green Belt. The site comprises a largely rectangular parcel of land measuring approximately 1.82 hectares on the northwestern side of Scotts Grove Road. It previously operated as a horticultural nursery although since 2021, the site has been in process of being would down with very limited activity on site, with skeleton staff.”

“The neighbouring properties to the south fall under Woking Borough Council's jurisdiction. 2.3The site lies within a Flood Zone 1 (low risk) and is not designated for any other purpose. 3.0RELEVANT PLANNING HISTORY 3.118/1118Erection of residential development of 40 dwellings (including 4No one bedroom, 17No two bedroom, 7No three bedroom, 12No four- bedroom units), with parking, landscaping and access following demolition of the existing plant nursery.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the site was considered grey belt, the scheme met national Green Belt requirements, and consultees raised no technical objections.

“1.2The site was previously subject to an application for forty dwellings (ref.18/1118) which was dismissed at appeal on the grounds of inappropriate development within the Green Belt (including harm to the openness and purposes of it) and harm to the character and appearance of the area. A reason for refusal on sustainability grounds was not upheld.”

“The proposal would further provide a financial contribution of £120,000 towards the SCC Demand Responsive Transport service. 1.5No objections are raised in respect to neighbouring amenity, highway, flood risk, ecological or any other grounds from statutory consultees.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

Highways and other consultees generally raised no objection subject to conditions, while the parish council and residents objected over sustainability, traffic, drainage, services and character.

“5.0CONSULTATION RESPONSES 5.1The following external consultees were consulted, and their comments are summarised in the table below: External ConsultationComments received County Highways Authority Raise no objection subject to conditions relating to access to be installed in compliance with drawings, travel plan compliance and a Construction Transport Management Plan (CTMP).”

“The on-going maintenance of footpath 7 lies with the highway authority, however, the increased use of it would likely result in its upkeep and maintenance. Woking Borough CouncilRaise no objection. Surrey Wildlife TrustRaise no objection subject to conditions relating to badger, bat, and amphibian mitigation strategy, biodiversity net gain and habitat management monitoring plan, protection measures, biodiversity enhancement and construction environmental management plan.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A speaker addressed the committee against the application, while the planning agent spoke in favour under the public speaking scheme.

What members discussed

Members discussed footpath crossings, the separate 15-home application, affordable housing, gardens and planting, housing supply, grey belt status and transport funding.

“The committee questioned [name withheld] on another application submitted to the council on the same site for 15 dwellings. Members were also keen to know who the affordable housing provider would be, but this was yet to be determined.”

“Affordable Housing was also discussed by the committee, and the case officer confirmed that if an affordable housing provider could not be secured by the developer a revised application would have to come back to committee for consideration.”

Minutes

The vote and decision

The committee unanimously supported the officer recommendation and resolved to grant permission subject to conditions and a legal agreement.

“The officer recommendation to approve the application, subject to conditions and a legal agreement was proposed by Councillor Kevin Thompson, seconded by Councillor Shaun Garrett, put to the vote and carried.”

“Voting in favour of the officer recommendation to grant the application subject to conditions and a legal agreement was unanimous from Councillors Cliff Betton, Shaun Garrett, Mary Glauert, Nirmal Kang, David O’Mahoney, Murray Rowlands, Kevin Thompson, David Whitcroft, Victoria Wheeler, Valerie White and Richard Wilson.”

Minutes