PLANNING APPLICATIONS UPDATE
This list is up to date at the time of writing, but for the latest and most accurate changes to planning, please consult EBC or this website, where you can also check the Planning Update in previous newsletters for more background and history on individual cases.
2021/4101, GlaxoSmithKline – Apart from the multiple consents to convert existing offices into residential dwellings at Brooklands, health care company GlaxoSmithKline proposes to construct a prestigious UK based headquarters comprising a global campus and innovation centre for their consumer healthcare company at The Heights, Brooklands, where the company proposes to accommodate 1,400 staff. This initial application is in regard to the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment. Further details can be found on the EBC website: elmbridge.gov.uk/planning
Clive House, 12/18 Queens Road – The conversion of Clive House from defunct office space to small residential flats continues, with the most recent applications seeking ‘Compliance of Conditions’ approval. We are still unaware which of the consented schemes is being implemented, but no doubt the dwellings will soon be marketed.
2020/1007, 91 Queens Road – This application for a two storey building containing six flats with access from South Road was refused consent by Elmbridge and was subsequently taken to appeal. The Appeal Inspector dismissed the appeal on grounds that the proposed scheme would be poorly related to its surroundings.
2021/0864, Oak House, 19 Queens Road – The Society lodged an objection to this scheme to replace the existing nursing home with a building comprising 10 flats. This scheme was subsequently withdrawn and a new scheme 2021/3517 has recently been submitted. The ‘Arts and Crafts’ style elevations in this later scheme are markedly different from the previous ‘Regency’ style’ elevations and are much more in keeping with the existing character of the area. Although we consider the provision of 12 car parking spaces inadequate, we are not intending to object.
Former Café Rouge, 85 Queens Road and land behind – A number of the outstanding applications for this building and its rear section fronting South Road have now been determined.
• Former Café Rouge, 85 Queens Road:
2020/3366 sub-division of existing flat to create two flats – refused
2020/3289 increase in the roof height to create an additional dwelling – refused
• Land to the rear of 85 Queens Road:
2020/3188 offices for the visually impaired – refused
2020/3190 a detached two -storey building to display works of art – refused
2020/3213 a two storey building to provide four flats – refused
These applications were mostly refused on inadequate parking provision. The only outstanding application is 2021/2765, a proposal to construct a pair of semidetached dwellings on this parcel of land. To date there have been 26 letters of objection, including a comprehensive letter from the Triangle Residents Group.
2021/0245, Wessex, South Road – The consented scheme for nine flats is currently under construction. We await a decision on this latest proposal to add another storey to create an additional flat.
2021/1879, Queensgate House, South Road – This ‘Variation of Condition’ application to allow alternative use as a Day Nursery was refused permission due to an increase in vehicle movements and a harmful impact on the adjoining residential properties by virtue of noise disturbance.
2021/1365, Land at rear of Maple Down – Construct a substantial detached house in the rear garden of Maple Down, which sits at the end of a long private driveway on the north side of Queens Road, is still being considered by Elmbridge’s planning department.
2021/1356, Land rear of Southlands, 40 Queens Road – This application to construct a pair of semi-detached houses in the rear garden of the host property was refused outline permission in part, rather worryingly, because of the proposal’s low density, which failed to meet the most efficient and effective use of land in a sustainable urban location.
2021/0712, Land West of 17 High Pine Close – The outcome of this application which was registered on 1st March 2021 is still pending. There have been a number of amendments to the application, which has led the Weybridge Society to submit three letters of objection in support of local residents. We have concerns over the lack of affordable housing finance.
2019/1781, Petrol Station Brooklands Road – Following a refusal of this application, a further application was submitted to EBC: 2021/2381. This application to demolish the current buildings and replace with a new sales area was initially valid from the end of June. There have been subsequent amendments, and the deadline date for comments is now 17/12/21. We have previously objected and will be evaluating the latest amendments and will comment accordingly.
2019/2722, 2020/0224 and 2020/2215, Silvermere Haven Pet Cemetery and Crematorium – Elmbridge objected to these consultations from Surrey County Council, as did the Weybridge Society.
These applications relate to significantly expanding the Crematorium facility. We will be evaluating the latest consultation document from SCC 2021/4083 and will respond accordingly. Further information can be viewed on the SCC website quoting reference SCC 2019/0125.
2021/2255, Oatlands Park Hotel – Installation of a car park management system and 2021/2253 Listed Building Consent for a car park management system have both been refused by Elmbridge on grounds that the number, size and materials of the signs would not respect or complement the setting of the Listed Building and the registered park and that it would constitute inappropriate development in the Green Belt.
2021/1802, Oatlands Park Hotel – This application to erect railings to a height of 1.8 metres on the west side of the north access road was withdrawn on 26/11/21.
2020/2436, 2020/2821 and 2021/3554, Warehouse 47 Thames Street – Multiple applications for the conversion of this warehouse into a dwelling are extremely complicated and have been continuing for a long time. We expect an appeal against the refusal of application 2020/2821, which has already been constructed.
2021/2887 Locke King House, 2 Balfour Road – This application is for a two-storey rear extension to the existing office accommodation. This follows refusal of application 2017/1681, which was for a detached two-storey building for 10 flats, also dismissed on appeal. Locke King House, formerly the Weybridge Cottage Hospital built in 1889 in the Arts and Crafts style, sits within the Weybridge Conservation area.
2021/3349, Heath House and Heatherbank, Firfields/Cobbetts Hill – This application seeks to demolish the existing Victorian property, which has been divided into two semi-detached dwellings, and to construct 26 flats in its place. There has been much interest in this application as the existing property is of significant importance as the former home of George Fergusson Wilson, a horticulturist whose garden at Wisley became RHS Wisley and whose landscaped gardens at Heatherbank/Heath House contain a number of specimen trees. In addition, there is currently a pending application for the property to be nationally listed.
To date 179 letters of objection have been received, including a number supporting the heritage aspects of the site, as well as from the Weybridge Society and The Victorian Society. Apart from the scale, mass, height and bulk of the proposed building being totally out of keeping with the existing detached character of the properties in Firfields/Cobbetts Hill, there are significant issues with respect to the proposed limited parking provision (33 spaces, including two visitor spaces) and the impact on a dangerous section of road
at the Brooklands Road/Cobbetts Hill/ St George’s Avenue junction.