Vicarage Road Green Belt application refused

The Spelthorne Borough Council Planning Committee unanimously endorsed the officers recommendation to refuse the planning application to build a retirement village on the highly valuable and limited Green Belt in Sunbury Common. 

The reasons for refusal included the fact that the site was very effectively performing the role of Green Belt, to separate built up areas and the developer was offer no affordable housing contribution.  The developer making the application already runs a number of high price retirement villages and there was no evidence offered that this scheme would do anything for Spelthorne residents.

Sunbury Common Liberal Democrat councillor, Suraj Gyawali, made a speech presenting the resident’s concerns to the committee as follows:

Thank you, Madam Chair, for granting me the opportunity to address this chamber.

First and foremost, I extend my gratitude to the council officers for their recommendation to refuse the application, which was rooted in the numerous concerns raised by the residents in our ward.

I'd like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the residents for their overwhelming support in uniting to safeguard our green spaces, ensuring a legacy for generations to come. The importance of preserving this land as a prime Green Belt cannot be overstated. It stands as a crucial defence against urban sprawl from London, safeguarding wildlife, biodiversity, and vital green space. Encroaching on this green belt set precedence for further exploitation of other green belts.

Moreover, this land's prior use as a landfill renders it unsuitable for development. The proposed project would only exacerbate existing challenges, particularly the strain on local roads, which are already struggling as a crucial entry point for the M3. Loss of the characters of the area, overcrowding, pressure on sewage, drainage, poor air quality, high pressure pipeline, no affordable housing, increased risks of flooding in Beechwood Avenue, Kenyngton Drive are additional concerns raised by the residents.

Numerous consultations have yielded results reflecting various conditions from the County Archaeological Officer, County Highway Authority, Environmental Health, Lead Local Flood Authority (SCC), Surrey Wildlife Trust. These outcomes underscore the dubious intentions and ill preparation of developers seeking to disrupt our community.

Throughout our campaign, we engaged with over 100 residents and reached out to more than 1500 households. Strikingly, not a single voice emerged in support of this application.

Given these compelling reasons, we, the councillors of Sunbury Common ward and its residents, fervently urge the esteemed members of the planning committee to engage in thorough deliberation, prioritizing the best interests of the residents of Sunbury Common are, at the forefront of your decision-making process.

Thank you.

Cllr Suraj Gyawali