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Planning Application WA/2024/01134 – Valid From 17/06/2024
Former Surrey County Councillors Alan and Victoria Young have applied to build at Tree Tops in Mapledrakes Road, Ewhurst, three times: first for 20 homes, then 18, and now 14.
They have failed twice with local planners and once at appeal. They now hope a different planning climate will favour them and The Crownhall Estates. It wants to build 14 sizeable 4-plus bedroom homes on a former wildlife haven near ancient woodland.
The former Conservative political heavyweights who once represented Cranleigh and Villages at Surrey County Council are eager to build on land following the demolition of a bungalow. They hoped that the site could accommodate many homes by opening up the land and felling trees.The latest scheme is for a reduced development of 14 large homes.Here, one villager comments in their letter of objection:
“In his 2013 election campaign leaflet as our local Councillor, the applicant says, “he would fight tooth and nail to preserve our beautiful countryside and unique village”.He does not live in the property or the village & is seeking to ruin the environment & destroy the quality of the ancient woodland enjoyed by so many. These houses are not required in Ewhurst, and this application appears to be for nothing more than personal financial gain.”
Villagers claim they have already met their quota +, but Inspectors, referring to recent appeals elsewhere in Waverley, claim there is no maximum, only a minimum. Waverley’s planning portal is packed with letters from objectors. Here’s just one.I wish to object to this 3rd planning application for the same site.It has been denied twice & also turned down at appeal. Ewhurst has developed a Local Plan Part 2, which has been adopted. The allocated sites for development do NOT include this site. We have long since reached & exceeded our requirement for new homes for some years to come. This site has not been assessed as an appropriate site for development in the countryside by the Council, and the new Local Plan Part 2 does not provide any additional support for this development.Against Planning Policy
While reduced in the number of dwellings, the proposals continue to deliver a large-scale intervention into the open countryside, and plots 1 & 2 are seriously encroaching on the peace and privacy of Ferncroft. (this aspect should be a reason for refusing this site layout). The proposal remains at odds with the established linear pattern of development in the settlement & does not overcome the severe and significant policy deficiencies raised by the Inspector in dismissing the previous appeal.Ancient Woodland
The buffer zone has been slightly increased, but I question whether this is sufficient to protect the quality and status of the ancient woodland & wildlife habitats, which are crucial to maintaining biodiversity. The proposed site is home to some rare species of flora, plus bats, smooth snakes, dormice, and various breeding birds, among others. It is also an important recreational area and enjoyed by many local people in addition to Sayers Croft Rural Centre, who use this woodland & Cobblers Brook to teach thousands of inner-city school children each year about the fauna and flora of the English countryside.From the drainage reports, it would appear there will be problems associated with pumping foul water up the hill to meet the main drain on Mapledrakes Road. There have been many problems with drainage in this area of Ewhurst in recent years, with Cobblers Brook sometimes contaminated. Thames Water has taken up almost permanent residences in the village to try to sort out the problems, and the infrastructure is inadequate even to consider another 14 houses.There are only two entrances to this site, Mapledrakes Road and The Glebe. Both are only approx 5.25 metres wide and are already congested with local parking. The Glebe, in particular, has sharp bends where residents of the elderly people’s bungalows habitually park cars, as these were built 60+ years ago, and there was no provision for cars on driveways. The large construction vehicles required for this development will not be adequate. The local amenities and services, e.g. healthcare, schools, transport, water supply, and internet, are already stretched and are becoming inadequate for the area. Adding more houses will only compound the problems.Congested Roads.
The village street is seriously congested already, and the once peaceful country village is fast becoming a busy urbanised settlement without the required infrastructure. The public transport service is very poor, with a country bus service and no train station. There is very little employment in the area. Therefore, the overcrowded and poorly maintained country lanes linking to urban areas offering employment will be even more seriously affected both during construction and with more residents. I see no social or economic benefits if this application succeeds.
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"Oh what a tangled web we weave, when once we practise to deceive.
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