74 homes at Egley Road, Woking

What was proposed

The application sought 74 dwellings, including 37 affordable homes, with access, open space, landscaping, drainage works and demolition of the existing gymnastics building.

“PROPOSAL: Redevelopment of the land for the erection of 74 dwellings (37 market dwellings and 37 affordable dwellings) (C3 Use Class) together with vehicular access, public open space, landscaping and Sustainable urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) and other associated works following demolition of the existing gymnastics building.”

“The erection of 74 dwellings (including 37 affordable dwellings, 50%) in the form of detached, semi-detached, terraced dwellings and apartments, with associated hard and soft landscaping and car parking. • Demolition of the existing building known as ‘The Barn’ located towards the north- eastern corner of the site.”

Officer report

The site

The 4.1-hectare southern part of allocated Site GB7 contained open fields, protected woodland and an existing building beside the school, garden centre and railway.

“The application site relates to the southern section of allocated Site GB7 ‘Nursery Land adjacent to Egley Road’, located on the western side of Egley Road (A320) between the south-western edge of Woking and the smaller urban settlement of Mayford.”

“The site is bounded to the north by Hoe Valley School and Woking Sportsbox, including a floodlit athletics track; to the east by Edwins Garden Centre and Egley Road; to the south by residential dwellings on Hook Hill Lane which back onto the application site; and to the west by the London-Portsmouth railway line with open fields beyond.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier permissions covered the gymnastics use, the school and northern part of GB7, while a previous mixed development proposal was refused and dismissed at appeal.

“The site forms an open grassland site and previously formed part of the defined Green Belt prior to the adoption of the Site Allocations DPD in October 2021. Since its release, the site has been divided into three sections; the northern section, Hoe Valley School and the southern section which forms the application site. The history of the application site and the wider allocated site is set out below.”

“Reason 02: The proposed development would result in the loss of protected trees, including part of the woodland on the application site, causing harm to the visual and environmental amenity of the area, the effects of which would not be outweighed by other considerations.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because the site was allocated for development and the scheme was considered sustainable, policy-compliant and beneficial for housing, open space and biodiversity.

“The application site forms part of a mixed-use allocation GB7 in the Site Allocations DPD 2021 which notes that the site as a whole “is excluded from the Green Belt and allocated for a mixed use development to include residential including affordable housing and recreational/open space between 2022 and 2027”.”

“As such, the site is no longer within the Green Belt and has been allocated for mixed- use development. The principle of residential development on this site is established within the adopted Development Plan and clearly aligns with its spatial strategy and strategic objectives.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Technical consultees generally raised no objection or supported permission subject to conditions, mitigation, contributions and legal agreements covering matters including trees, drainage, ecology, highways and affordable housing.

“WBC Housing Team: Housing Services welcomes and supports this proposal and the proposed tenure mix. The 37 on‑site affordable units (50%), fully meet Policy CS12 and provide an acceptable tenure and size mix (76% affordable rent and 30% shared ownership) broadly aligning with local need, with rents capped at Local Housing Allowance and all units meeting national space standards (15.01.2026)”

“Natural England: Confirm that as long as the applicant is complying with the requirements of Woking’s Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy for the Thames Basin Heaths SPA (through a legal agreement securing contributions to Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) and Strategic Access Management and Monitoring (SAMM)), Natural England has no objection to this application (03.02.2026).”

Officer report

What people said

Residents objected to the development’s character, settlement separation, privacy, ecology, traffic, flooding, infrastructure, cumulative effects and long-term management.

“The proposed development is considered by many to be out‑of‑keeping with the prevailing character of Mayford, with particular reference to the higher density, smaller plots, and inclusion of three‑storey apartment blocks, which are not characteristic of the surrounding area.”

“Officer Note: The long‑term management and maintenance of public open space and woodland would be secured through appropriately worded planning conditions. Matters of security and anti‑social behaviour fall largely outside the direct control of the planning system, but the proposed layout, management arrangements and surveillance principles have been considered as part of the overall assessment.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Ward Councillor spoke about local impacts, while one speaker addressed the committee in objection and another spoke in support.

What members debated

Members discussed woodland path maintenance, drainage, climate allowances, parking, permeability, density, pedestrian links, infrastructure funding and traffic capacity, then supported amended conditions.

“Members discussed a range of matters including the condition and maintenance of proposed woodland paths, drainage standards and climate change allowances, parking and permeability of surfaces, density calculations, pedestrian connectivity, and the use of Community Infrastructure Levy funding.”

“Amendments to conditions 27 and 37 were proposed by The Chairman and seconded by Councillor A Boote to require details ensuring the woodland path was maintained to a high standard and to adjust wording relating to obscure glazing and opening restrictions on certain windows to align with other conditions. The Committee supported the proposed amendments.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee granted permission subject to conditions, amendments to two conditions and a legal agreement, and authorised officers to finalise the permission and agreement.

“I. Planning permission be GRANTED subject to conditions, amendments to conditions 27 and 37 and S.106 Legal Agreement; and…”

“II. The Planning Committee authorises 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 the recommendation above, including making any amendments to planning condition(s) and Section 106 Legal Agreement clauses if deemed necessary prior to issuing the planning permission.”

Minutes