Agenda item

Application Number: 19/0154 - ROSEDENE FARM & LAND TO THE SOUTH OF FENNS LANE, WEST END, WOKING, GU24 9QF

Minutes:

The Committee considered an outline application for the erection of 74 dwellings (and the retention of Rosedene Farm), provision of accesses, landscaping and play space along with an area of public open space following the demolition of existing buildings. (Amended info recv'd 9/4/19) (Additional info rec'd 30/04/19), (Amended/additional plans & info rec'd 06/11/19).

 

Members were advised of the following updates on the application:

 

The applicant has provided a letter supporting the proposal in Green Belt terms which are summarised below:

 

·         The low quality of the land and its previously developed nature (buildings/hardstanding);

·         Comparisons with the proposal at Fairoaks Airport (which is not yet determined);

·         In the weighing of very special circumstances, case law has indicated that a combination of factors can provide sufficient  “very special circumstances” and this is a matter of planning judgement;

·         Benefits of providing the public open space and overall enhancement of the site; and

·         Disagrees with the conclusion that the Five Year Land Supply Paper can demonstrate a 5.52 year supply of deliverable housing sites.

The content of this letter is noted.

 

Two further objections have been received raising no new issues.

 

A further objection from the West End Action Group has been received, responding to additional/amended details provided by the applicant, raising the following new issues:

 

·         Serious underestimating of traffic movements on Fenns Lane due to limited survey and weather conditions at that time; and

·         The land is more open, and the impact of the development would be much greater, than indicated in the amended landscape assessment.

 

West End Parish Council has confirmed that, in responding to additional/amended details provided by the applicant, their original objections still stand.”

 

As this application had triggered the Council’s Public Speaking Scheme, Mr Guy Consterdine, on behalf of the West End Action Group, and Dr J W Llewelyn spoke in objection to the application and Ms Liz Alexander and Mr Ian Newton, on behalf of the agent, shared a public speaking slot and spoke in support of the application.

 

The recommendation to refuse the application was proposed by Graham Alleway and seconded by Charlotte Morley and put to the vote and carried.

 

RESOLVED that application 19/0154 be refused for the reasons set out in the Officer Report

           

            Note 1

It was noted for the record that all Members of the Committee had received various pieces of correspondence in respect of the application.

 

Note 2

In accordance with Part 4, Section D, paragraph 18 of the Constitution, the voting in relation to the application was as follows:

 

Voting in favour of the recommendation to refuse the application:

 

Councillors Graham Alleway, Peter Barnett, Cliff Betton, Vivienne Chapman, Sarah Jane Croke, Edward Hawkins, David Lewis, Charlotte Morley, Morgan Rise, Graham Tapper, Victoria Wheeler, Helen Whitcroft and Valerie White.

 

 

Supporting documents: