Wheelchair-accessible bungalow at Bungalow North Of 45-51 Lindley Road, Godstone

The site

The unused bungalow is in a residential area on Lindley Road, within Godstone’s defined village and the Green Belt.

“The site comprises an unused communal semi-detached bungalow. The site is located on the western side of Lindley Road within the Defined Village within the Green Belt of Godstone. The site slopes down slightly towards the south and the surrounding area benefits from on street parking. The surrounding area is residential.”

Officer report

Earlier site history

Permission was previously granted for a common room, kitchen and toilet for elderly people.

“The planning history of the site of relevance to this proposal is:”

“85/656 – Erection of common room, kitchen and wc for elderly persons. – Approved…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the proposal would not significantly affect neighbours, the area’s character, highway safety or other interests.

“Conclusion 43. In now returning to the presumption in favour of development as set out above, the development would be not inappropriate within the Green Belt. The proposal therefore complies with the test under Paragraph 11(d)(i) of the NPPF and the presumption in favour remains to be applied.”

“In conclusion, due to the positioning, size and scale of the development, the proposal would not significantly affect the amenities of neighbouring properties, nor would the proposal have a detrimental impact upon the character and appearance of the building or the surrounding area. No harm is identified in any other respect, in particular highways safety. As such, it is recommended that planning permission be granted subject to conditions.”

Officer report

Main planning issues

The main issues were highway safety, neighbouring amenities, and the character and appearance of the building and surroundings.

“The key issues relate to the impact upon highway safety, amenities of neighbouring properties and character and appearance.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council objected, saying the application should address a community-space change of use and the facility should remain for local residents; no third-party comments were received.

“Godstone Parish Council – RESOLVED – OBJECTION on the basis that the planning application is incorrect. It should be for a change of use of the property which is a community space for the use of Lindley Road residents and has never previously been used as domestic accommodation. It should remain a community space as it is a badly needed resource for the community in Lindley Road.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector spoke against the application, and the applicant’s representative spoke in favour.

Committee decision

The committee granted planning permission subject to conditions.

“R E S O L V E D - that planning permission be granted, subject to conditions…”

Minutes

Conditions attached

The permission required the development to follow approved drawings, use matching materials, provide renewable energy measures and begin within three years.

“This decision refers to drawings numbered 25_17-LPL-01, 25_17-LPL-02, 25_17-LPL-03 received on 28 th July 2025. The development shall be carried out in accordance with these approved drawings. There shall be no variations from these approved drawings.”

“The development hereby approved shall not be occupied until details demonstrating how the development would satisfy the 10% reduction of carbon emissions through renewable resources have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The renewable energy provision shall thereafter be implemented prior to first occupation and shall thereafter be retained in accordance with the approved details.”

Officer report