58 homes and three pitches at Brookwood Lye Road, Brookwood, Woking

“The site is located on the south side of Brookwood Lye Road (A324) around 80 metres east of its junction with the Bagshot Road (A322) (the junction known as ‘Brookwood Crossroads’). The site largely consists of the remnants of a former horticultural nursery (formerly known as ‘Coblands Nursery’), as well as some surrounding land, and has been derelict for many years with the frontage onto Brookwood Lye Road for some years enclosed by blue timber hoarding.”

“The site slopes generally downwards from south to north from between approximately 44.0m and 45.0m Above Ordnance Datum (AOD) along the southern boundary (close to the railway) to between approximately 40.0m AOD and 38.5m AOD adjoining Brookwood Lye Road.”

“PLAN/2009/0590 - Reconfiguration of existing site layout on land with existing permission for stationing of caravans for residential gypsy use and change of use of adjacent land to provide 7No. additional residential gypsy pitches with ancillary utility/dayrooms and hardstanding. Refused (27.08.2009) for the following reason(s):”

“PLAN/2005/0883 - Change of use to a gypsy caravan site for three families with associated development. Refused with Enforcement (21.10.2005) & Appeal Allowed (08.12.2006)”

“That the Planning Committee resolves to Grant planning permission subject to:”

“The Planning Committee is also requested to authorise the Strategic Director - Place and Digital (and their relevant authorised deputies/authorised officers, including the Head of Planning and Development Management Operations Manager) to take all necessary action(s) in connection with points 1-2 above, including making any amendments to planning condition(s) and Section 106 Legal Agreement clauses if deemed necessary prior to issuing the planning permission.”

“Contaminated Land Officer (WBC): No objection subject to recommended conditions. County Archaeological Officer (Surrey County Council): No objection subject to recommended condition. County Highway Authority (CHA) (Surrey County Council): No objection subject to recommended conditions and Section 278 works (under the Highways Act 1980). Forestry Commission: Provide general advice relating to Ancient woodlands, ancient trees and veteran trees and in respect of…”

“Following initial investigations, Thames Water has identified an inability of the existing surface water network infrastructure to accommodate the needs of this development proposal. As such Thames Water request that a condition be added to any planning permission. Thames Water have concerns regarding the proposed surface water discharge of 9 l/s for all storm events to the SW [surface water] public sewer.”

“One (1) representation has been received (from the Basingstoke Canal Society) raising the following summarised comments:”

“The Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan for Woking (LCWIP) acknowledges that the Basingstoke Canal remains a successful east-west trunk route, but the increasing use by cyclists is putting pressure on the canal’s other functions as a linear park, historical site and as a walking route.”

“The Committee noted that the application was before it due to the scale of development and the Council’s interest in the land. It was further noted that the site had been released from the Green Belt through the development plan process and was allocated for residential development.”

“The Committee considered matters raised in relation to consultation, design, density, residential amenity, dwelling sizes, landscaping, boundary treatments, Gypsy and Traveller pitch provision, drainage and highway mitigation. It was noted that no objections had been received from residents during the statutory consultation period and that late correspondence received on the day of the meeting did not raise matters material to the determination of the application.”

“Having considered the officer report, the written update and the matters raised at the meeting, the Committee was satisfied that the proposal complied with the development plan when read as a whole and that there were no material considerations indicating that permission should be refused.”

“That planning permission be approved, subject to the completion of a Section 106 legal agreement and the conditions set out in the officer’s report and written update.”