Great news — Two planning applications for a block of about 30 age-restricted flats at Clive House on Queens Road have both been dismissed on appeal, stopping a developer from turning a much-needed upgrade on this site into a worse situation.
The Society, together with the Triangle Residents’ Group (TRG) and local residents near Queens Road, campaigned long and hard to stop the construction of a new apartment block which would have been totally out of size and character with its surroundings and destroyed the village-like atmosphere of Queens Road.
The Inspector agreed with the Society and TRG that the developer’s submitted designs ‘would result in harm to the character and appearance of the area and would also affect the setting of Salisbury House, a non-designated heritage asset.’
The Society actively opposed this development, assisting local residents with representation in meetings and helping the TRG throughout. Although the Society very much wants unused, worn and out-of-character buildings to be redeveloped, we believe it is vital to ‘build back better’ and pay attention to the character of Weybridge and its neighbourhoods.
The Society and TRG are particularly pleased that mass, character and local heritage arguments have carried the day. Over the last four years, TRG has made a number of submissions to the Elmbridge Borough Council (EBC) and the Inspectors setting out their concerns, as well as presenting its views to the Area Planning Sub-Committee on three occasions.
For further information, see Clive House Appeals (planning application 2018/2252, appeal reference APP/3605/W/19/3233523 and planning application 2019/2286 appeal reference APP/K3605/W20/3248497) on the EBC website.