39-home design changes at Land South Of High Street Between Alfold Road And, Knowle Lane

What was proposed

The application sought design changes to an approved 39-home Phase 4 scheme, including altered paths, gates and house elevations.

“Application under Section 73 to vary condition 1 of WA/2022/01919 (approved plans) for Phase 4 to allow minor alterations to the design of the development (as amended by the layout plan and elevations).”

“The changes translate to minor changes to fenestration openings and chimney stack positioning with minor increases in house widths with corresponding reduction in depth. The overall layout and scale of the development would remain consistent with the reserved matters approval.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a 1.82-hectare final development phase, currently used as a construction compound, beside the Downs Link and Knowle Park.

“The application site is located within the Berkeley Homes housing development site to the south of the High Street in Cranleigh between Knowle Lane and Alfold Road. Phase 4 is situated on a plot of approximately 1.82 hectares forming the final phase of the housing development originally approved in 2016.:The site is currently used as a construction compound for the Phase 3 development to the west.”

Officer report

Earlier approvals

Phase 4 was approved in 2022 for 39 homes, following earlier outline permissions for larger housing developments.

“Relevant Planning History Reference Proposal Decision WA/2022/01919 Approval of all reserved matters, phase 4 erection of 39 dwellings with assoc. access, parking, and landscaping works following outline approval WA/2016/1625 erection of 425 dwellings. Application includes info. to discharge outline conditions 3 (finished floor levels); 21 (surface water management scheme); and 22 (surface water drainage scheme) pursuant to WA/2016/1625.”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended approval because the changes were minor, the layout and scale stayed consistent, and the proposal remained acceptable overall.

“The test is whether having regard to the changes, the current proposal is materially more harmful than the approved scheme or is acceptable in its own right. Officers consider the changes are minor to the reserved matters approval in design terms and can be accepted. A s73 application on approval has the same effect as reissuing the same permission previously granted under the reserved matters approval and the same conditions are reapplied.”

“The minor alterations to the house types are considered acceptable because the scale, footprint and appearance of the 39 dwellings would be consistent with the integrity of the design as previously approved in the reserved matters for Phase 4. The character of the estate would be preserved. Details of the minor changes to the house types have been carefully considered and officers consider they amount to minor material amendments within the scope of a s73 application.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council and council officers raised no objection, while the parish council requested a path to reduce nuisance and antisocial behaviour.

“No Objection. Members ask that in order to relieve the current nuisance and anti-social behaviour for the phase 1 residents, from pedestrians accessing Knowle Park and the Downs Link through the residential development, that a new path is constructed to the Knowle Park pedestrian entrance gate to the west of the trees on the boundary of Knowle Park. The aim of this would be to divert pedestrians away from the existing properties on the boundary between phase 1 and phase 4.”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Residents objected to pedestrian routes to Knowle Park and asked for access to move west; one concern involved traffic between two roads.

“(Officer comment: The footpath connection to Knowle Park from Phase 4 has been realigned to connect the Down’s Link and the town centre (from Stocklund Square) through Phase 4. The existing access point to Knowle Park is already established and outside the remit of this application. The realignment of the footpath through Phase 4 should alleviate the pedestrian traffic through Phase 1 when Phase 4 is completed.”

Officer report

Public speaking

No public speakers registered to make representations on the application.

The committee vote

The committee voted thirteen in favour, none against and no abstentions.

“Following the debate, the Committee voted in favour of the officers’ recommendation to grant permission thirteen in favour, none against and no abstentions.”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was granted subject to conditions 1 to 19 and informatives 1 to 5.

“Subject to conditions 1-19 and Informatives 1-5, permission was GRANTED”

Minutes