Four affordable homes at 53 To 67 Stanstead Road, Caterham

What was proposed

The application proposed replacing eight flats and hard standing with four affordable, Council-owned homes, parking, a communal approach and private gardens.

“Application: 2025/795 Location: 53 to 67 Stanstead Road, Caterham, Surrey, CR3 6AG Proposal: Demolition of existing building containing eight flats, removal of hard standing. Construction of affordable, Council owned, terraced and semi-detached new dwellings comprising of three 3- bed and one 4-bed units, with associated communal approach and parking at front, and private gardens at rear.”

“Planning permission is sought for the demolition of the existing building containing eight flats, removal of hard standing, construction of affordable, Council owned, terraced and semi-detached new dwellings comprising of three 3-bed and one 4- bed units, with associated communal approach and parking at front, and private gardens at rear.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the proposal was acceptable on housing, design, amenity, drainage, ecology, biodiversity, highways and tree matters, subject to conditions.

“The application site is in the urban area of Caterham which is a Category 1 settlement where the principle of development is considered acceptable.”

“The proposal is considered to be acceptable with regards to housing mix and density, character and appearance and amenity. Subject to conditions the proposal would also be acceptable with regards to surface water drainage, ecology, biodiversity, contaminated land, highway safety and impact on trees.”

Officer report

Main planning considerations

The main considerations were the development principle, housing mix and density, character, neighbouring amenity, highway safety, trees, renewable energy and ecology.

“The key issues for this application are the principle of development, acceptability in terms of character and appearance, impact on neighbouring amenity, highway safety and impact on trees. Other considerations include renewable energy and ecology.”

Officer report

What residents raised

Two representations concerned the site’s sustainable location, whether it should be sold to a private developer and Japanese knotweed.

“To date two letters of representation have been received regarding: • The sustainable location of the site • The site should be sold to a private developer • Japanese Knotweed on the site (Officer Comment: This is being removed)”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke in favour of the application on behalf of the applicant.

The committee decision

The committee approved planning permission subject to conditions.

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

Minutes