Due to the unprecedented levels of objections from E&EBC residents, a special Council Meeting to review the Local Plan has been called.
CALL FOR ACTION:
1) Special Council meeting will be held on Wednesday 22nd March @7:30pm at Epsom Town Hall, The Parade, Epsom, KT18 5BY 2) Please email democraticservices@epsom-ewell.gov.uk to attend in person and ask a question 3) Please also arrive early at 6:50pm in front of Town Hall (Car Park side) for a Public Demonstration(bring your own placards).
The site for West Park Hospital is in West side of Epsom, KT19, between Christ Church Road and Horton Lane. The site is between Green Belt land at Epsom Common and Horton Country Park.
The hospital was slowly run down from the mid-1990s, and by 2003 most of the hospital was closed and derelict. In November 2010, demolition began of the former hospital buildings. As of April 2011, most of the central buildings had been cleared with only a limited number of wards, the water tower and administration building being retained for conversion to apartments. These were retained in the Noble Park housing development which was completed in April 2012.
Volunteers are required for leaflet drops in the area around West Park Hospital. Please contactepsomgreenbelt@gmail.com
The information below has been extracted from Epsom & Ewell Draft Plan, Planning for Places section, from page 98. Full details are on the link below.
What is the site to be allocated for? 4.38 The site is allocated for residential development, comprising:
approximately 150 dwellings
A target of 5% of homes to be provided through the provision of serviced plots of land for self-build and/or custom-build homes
Floorspace to support NHS services (if required)
Summary reason for allocation 4.39 The site will contribute towards meeting the need for housing in the borough. 4.40 The site comprises of two parcels north and south of existing West Park Hospital residential area. The areas are currently previously developed land within the Green Belt, consisting of buildings that are currently in use as part of the original West Park Hospital operation which are no longer fit for purpose. 4.41 The site lies adjacent to existing residential creating a suitable context for residential development and lowering the risk of adverse landscape impacts.
When will the site be developed? 4.42 It expected that a planning application will be submitted in the early part of the plan period with development likely to start by 2027.
Key information
LAA Reference: STA017 and STA018
Site size: STA017 (1.93 ha) and STA018 (3.11 ha)
Ward: Stamford
Existing use: West Park Hospital operations
Site of West Park Hospital, Epsom, KT19
Site Constraints and Mitigation
Northern parcel is adjacent West Park Conservation Area and Southern parcel is within the Conservation Area therefore any proposal should ensure it is sensitively designed to reflect the parkland setting
Maximise the linkages between the site and surrounding area; and provide opportunities for walking and cycling.
Development should not adversely affect the Protected Trees within and on the boundaries of the of the site.
Work with the topography of the site to ensure that visual impacts of development are minimised.
Development proposal to focus the built form to the north of the site to preserve the undeveloped (open) land to the south.
Any development proposal will need to incorporate mitigation relating to surface water flooding for those parts of the site that are susceptible.
Specific Infrastructure Requirements 4.43 The NHS may require the provision of some floorspace for healthcare needs, however there is currently no certainty as to whether there will be a need for such floorspace.
Availability 4.44 The site is available now.
Deliverability 4.45 The site is in single ownership. 4.46 A Local Plan viability assessment has been prepared to support the draft Local Plan. The initial findings of this work indicate that the development of this site is viable when taking account of potential sales values and costs associated with development (including the provision of affordable housing). Further detailed viability work will be undertaken as the Local Plan progresses. 4.47 The site is considered to be developable as it is located in a suitable location for housing development, the site is confirmed as available and could be viably developed at the point envisaged.
Hook Road Arena is between Chessington Road and Horton Lane in KT19, Epsom. A very large open space, which can be hired to accommodate public events. Parts of the area are available for informal recreation at other times.
The Arena is used annually as the site for the Firework Display organised by the 7th Epsom (Methodist) Scout Group and for other open air events and funfairs.
The information below has been extracted from Epsom & Ewell Draft Plan, Planning for Places section, from page 113. Full details are on the link below.
Volunteers are required for leaflet drops in the area around Hook Road Arena. Please contact epsomgreenbelt@gmail.com
What is the site to be allocated for?
4.76 The site is allocated for residential and sports and recreation development, comprising:
A new sports hub for the borough to include playing pitches (grass and artificial) a new pavilion and changing facilities on 9.5ha of the site that will be retained within the Green Belt.
At least 150 homes on the eastern part of the site that will be inset from the Green Belt.
Summary reason for allocation
4.77 This site has the potential to deliver recreational sports facilities and playing pitches. The allocation of this site will mitigate any losses of playing pitches (rugby) resulting from the allocation of site SA8 – Land adjoining Ewell East Station. It may also help to meet additional playing pitch needs for ‘secure provision’ (i.e. community use is protected through a legal agreement) both now and in the future.
4.78 The site will contribute towards meeting the need for housing in the borough.
When will the site be developed? 4.79 It expected that a planning application will be submitted early in the plan period, with development likely to start in 2027.
Key information
LAA Reference: COU026
Site size: 14 ha Ward: Court
Existing use: Open Space/Events venue for car boot sales & fireworks displays
Hook Road Arena, Chessington Road, Epsom KT19
Site Constraints and Mitigation
Any development proposal will need to incorporate mitigation relating to surface water flooding for those parts of the site that are susceptible.
Specific Infrastructure Requirements
4.80 The site could deliver playing pitches and potentially other supporting infrastructure such as changing facilities and a club house.
Availability
4.81 The site is confirmed as available.
Deliverability
4.82 The site is owned by the council. 4.83 As yet, no viability assessments have been undertaken by the council to develop the site for this use.
Priest Hill Sports Ground Three rugby pitches used by Sutton & Epsom RFC. Adjoining Ewell East Station, Cheam Road, Banstead Road. The information below has been extracted from Epsom & Ewell Draft Plan, Planning for Places section, from page 100. Full details are on the link below.
Volunteers are required for leaflet drops in the area around Priests Hill Sports ground. Please contact epsomgreenbelt@gmail.com
Site SA8: Land adjoining Ewell East Station (Greenfield)
What is the site to be allocated for?
4.66 The site is allocated for a residential led development, comprising:
At least 350 net zero carbon dwellings
Building heights up to 6 storeys
New local retail provision at ground floor
The re-provision of the playing pitches at Hook Road Arena
Summary reason for allocation
4.67 The site will contribute towards meeting the need for housing in the borough and ancillary community infrastructure. 4.68 The site has well defined boundaries and lies adjacent to existing residential areas and adjoining Ewell East railway station, creating a suitable context for residential development and lowering the risk of adverse landscape impacts. The site is also in relatively close proximity to local services and facilities and to bus and rail transport connections. Vehicular access can be achieved without detriment to the character of the local area.
When will the site be developed? 4.69 It expected that a planning application will be submitted in the middle of the plan period with development likely to start by 2031 once new sports pitches have been provided.
Key information
LAA Reference: NON013
Site size: 8.63 ha
Ward: Nonsuch
Existing use: Sports pitches and open space
Site Constraints and Mitigation
Development proposals must identify ways of improving pedestrian access to Ewell East Station and maximise the linkages between the site and surrounding area, and provide opportunities for walking and cycling.
The design of development would need to minimise impacts on Priest Hill Nature Reserve (Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI)) located on the Southern Boundary of the site.
Part of the site to the east along Cheam Road is within Flood Zone 3. Any development proposal will need to take this into account.
The development proposal will need to work with the topography of the site to ensure that visual impacts of development are minimised.
Specific Infrastructure Requirements 4.70 Provision of new retail unit(s) to provide convenience retail to meet local needs. 4.71 The loss of playing pitches will require reprovision at the Hook Road Arena site (Policy SA9). The developer will be expected to re-provide the playing pitches off site prior to development commencing to ensure that the scheme is acceptable in planning terms.
Availability 4.72 The site is confirmed as available.
Deliverability 4.73 The site is in single ownership and the developer of this site is promoting it for redevelopment. 4.74 A Local Plan viability assessment has been prepared to support the draft Local Plan. The initial findings of this work indicate that the development of this site is viable when taking account of potential sales values and costs associated with development (including the provision of affordable housing). Further detailed viability work will be undertaken as the Local Plan progresses. 4.75 The site is considered to be developable as it is in a suitable location for housing development, the site is confirmed as available and could be viably developed at the point envisaged.
The Frequently Asked Questions include those listed below.
What is the Greenbelt and why should it be protected?
Are there exceptional circumstances that require building on the Greenbelt now?
Were Clarendon Park, Livingstone Park, and Manor Park built in the Greenbelt, and if so, what’s different about these proposals?
There’s an area of Greenbelt on the Local Plan map that isn’t on the Priority Development list of 9 sites, does this mean it is safe from development?
Does the Draft Local Plan meet the need to supply affordable housing for lower paid workers and the homeless?
Is it permissible to submit a Local Plan which doesn’t meet the full housing need calculated under the government’s ‘Standard Method’, and can it be approved?
I heard that the Government is going to abolish the mandatory housing target and no longer require Local Authorities to review Green Belt for housing. Is this true?
The roads into Epsom are already overcrowded, particularly at peak times. What are the plans to address the additional traffic from all the new housing?
I see there are plans to build new sites for Gypsies / Travellers. How many will there be and where will these be located?
Does the Borough have to build houses on Greenbelt Land to meet the housing target?
The Ashley Centre Local Plan display states that development will be ‘Located away from areas of flood risk’. How has Horton Farm been selected for development as it regularly gets flooded?
I’m told the Council has spent £1m on preparing this plan. Would it be expensive to change direction now?
How can I help stop the destruction of the precious Greenbelt?
Some of the documents that detail the local plan are large and complex.
Council Officers will be available to speak to you in person at the following places
Monday 13 February 14:30 – 19:30 Bourne Hall, Azalea Room
Thursday 16 February 12:00 – 17:00, Ashley Centre, Central Square
Tuesday 21 February 14:30 – 19:30, Bourne Hall, Azalea room
Wednesday 22 February 10:30 – 15:30, Community & Wellbeing Centre, Sefton Road
Saturday 25 February 11:00 – 16:00, Ashley Centre, Central Square
Tuesday 28 February 10:30 – 15:30, Community & Wellbeing Centre, Sefton Road
There are likely to be plenty of questions about the Local Plan, which includes significant changes to the centre of Epsom and changes to parts of the borough that are well away from the town centre. Some of these are on Green Belt land.
Full list of Green Belt “Preferred Option” housing sites in the E&EBC Draft Local Plan:are listed below.
Horton Farm land 1,500 homes
Ewell East Station land 350 homes
West Park Hospital land 150 homes
Chantilly Way 25 homes
Hook Road Arena land 150 homes (council-owned land)
Resident fury at E&EBC’s unanimous decision to include five Green Belt sites for 2,175 houses in Draft Local Plan, to be published on 1st February.
Over 100 green-belted residents protest to councillors arriving at Epsom Town Hall for Planning Committee vote
Dozens of Green Belts buckled to Public Gallery railings in silent protest – with one on speaker’s table in Council Chamber
Residents claim one victory as 110 acre Downs Farm NOT included in preferred Green Belt sites
Epsom, 31st January: Amid scenes of dramatic resident protest over Green Belt inclusion for housing, councillors on a planning sub-committee of Epsom and Ewell borough council voted unanimously last night (30th Jan) to accept its Draft Local Plan.It will be formally published tomorrow, 1st February.
Of the nine “preferred option” sites in the Plan, five are green belt sites, on which it is proposed to build 2,175 houses – over 41% of the total of 5,400 proposed up to 2040. No visionary large-scale brownfield developments for affordable homes is included, while 137 acres of green belt are now effectively blighted.
Green Belt sites for housing include four on the west side of Epsom- with a huge 1,500 home estate planned around Horton Farm, and one for 350 homes obliterating sports fields near East Ewell station. ( full list below) There was one spot of good news for the residents after a long fought campaign – as the 110 acre Downs Farm on the Reigate Road was not included in the final list.
Nearly 100 residents protested with banners as the councillors arrived at the Town Hall, with a packed public gallery adorned with “green belts” buckled to its railings in silent protest (see picture). One questioning resident took off his green belt and laid it on the Council Chambers’ speaker’s table, where it stayed for the two hour debate.
“We are furious that the RA controlled council did not fight to keep Epsom’s special character and Green Belt heritage, as is permitted under clear emerging government planning policy” said local resident Yufan Si, for the Keep Epsom and Ewell Green Belt “ There is no clear idea of where any of the much needed social infrastructure, will come from, from schools to doctors’ surgeries, as both councillors and planners admitted in the meeting”
Residents complain that the Draft Plan relies totally and lazily on a “Call for Sites”, with opportunistic developers and landowners putting forward plenty of green belt land, with only a few brownfield sites offered up. There has been no advance discussions with major town centre developers to mix new residential units with job opportunities nearer the urban centre, which most agree needs rejuvenation.
Despite written objections to the committee from the CRPE on sustainability issues and concern over the population projections, E&EBC failed to follow the lead of other local councils. Mole Valley voted to remove all Green Belt from its Local Plan, and Elmbridge avoided all Green Belt areas by focussing on smaller 1-5 house brownfield sites – none of which are listed in Epsom’s Local Plan.
Councillors were reminded that the May Local Elections are coming up before the next stage of the Local Plan, and their legacy on supporting Green Belt sites was likely to come under scrutiny – even now, said one resident, they will have to go home to their spouses and say “Honey, I’ve shrunk the Green Belt.”
Residents wishing to preserve Epsom’s Green Belt are now urged to make written representations to EEBC in the six week Public Consultation stage which runs for six weeks from tomorrow. Sites can be added and taken away, say the Council.
Full list of Green Belt “Preferred Option” housing sites in the E&EBC Draft Local Plan:
Horton Farm land 1,500 homes
Ewell East Station land 350 homes
West Park Hospital land 150 homes
Chantilly Way 25 homes
Hook Road Arena land 150 homes (council-owned land)
Dacorum Borough Council, the Conservative-led council in my constituency, has done a fantastic job of building new houses, including social housing and council houses. Can the Prime Minister assure me that we will not be pushed into the green belt any more than we already have been and that we can protect the Chilterns in my constituency?
The Prime Minister :-
I join my right hon. Friend in praising his local council for ensuring we build homes in the right places so that our young people can fulfil the dream of home ownership. He is also right to say that this Government will always protect our precious green spaces. The recent changes in our planning reforms will ensure that we can protect the green belt everywhere. His local community and others will benefit from those protections as we keep our local areas beautiful.
Epsom Green Belt hope that Epsom & Ewell Borough Council change their ways and learn from the direction of UK Government. In recent years, there has been significant development on Green Belt approved by E&EBC.
A determined group of Epsom & Ewell residents, representing over 1,700 petitioners , that took to the podium at last night’s Planning Committee (Jan 19th) at Epsom Town Hall to ask councillors eleven questions about the threat of Green Belt sites being included as “Preferred Options” in the imminent Draft Local Plan.
Given every indication that the Government no longer thinks Green Belt reviews are necessary with housing targets advisory only, and fresh from Mole Valley District Coucil’s unanimous vote to remove Green Belt sites, residents challenged the councillors and planners to seize the opportunity to save the Green Belt now and focus on brownfield sites for new affordable homes.
In answer to one question about whether planners had consulted HM Inspectors about Green Belt removal, council officers confirmed that, as EEBC was at an initial stage of decision taking , they had no need to consult the Inspectorate at this time, unlike Mole Valley are now required to do.
Given this difference, residents believe that it will now be entirely the responsibility of Councillors – the majority of whom are Residents Association voted in to preserve Epsom & Ewell’s special character, if Green Belt land ends up being destroyed forever. According to CPRE, over 99% of sites earmarked for development by local authorities eventually get built upon, so it is both crucial and necessary to ensure no Green Belt sites are included at the outset.
Residents vow to return to make more representations at the final decision-taking Planning Committee meeting on 30th January before the EEBC Draft Plan is published on 1st February 2023.
Epsom and Ewell and indeed the whole country has a real shortage of homes. We cannot go on with a generation of young people who aspire to home ownership but have little hope of achieving this. And we must have more affordable homes locally.
As a country we are already now building more homes than at any time for decades, but there is still more to do. Locally precious little has happened in recent years. Four years ago, just before the local elections, the Borough Council was due to publish its plan for housing and for the area for the future. It was postponed then, and only now is the Council in the process of publishing and developing its local plan for the area for the next 10-15 years.
But here we do need to do all we can to meet the housing need and not nearly enough has been done on this locally in recent years. That’s why I have proposed a comprehensive redevelopment of theKiln Lane and Longmead areas to achieve this without building all over our green belt.
I hope that as the local plan develops the Council will adopt this plan. I think it’s the best way forward for our area.
Keep Epsom & Ewell Green Belt 