35 houses approved for Surrey village despite flood concerns
Dozens of homes will be built in a small Surrey village despite concerns over flooding and the future development of surrounding land.
The 35-home estate, proposed for land in Green Lane in Ockham, will include 14 affordable homes and is within an allocated site which is to deliver around 120 homes.
Councillors on Guildford Borough Council’s planning committee were last night (November 3) urged to consider only the application before them and approved the application with nine votes in favour, five against and one abstention.
Councillor Catherine Young (Guildford Greenbelt Group, Clandon & Horsley) spoke as a ward councillor and raised concerns that requirements for flooding had not been met.
She said: “The mitigation proposed is inadequate for this area that floods with surface water and sewage every time it rains heavily, clearly demonstrated by evidence submitted by local residents who have lived in this area for years.
“It is noted that Thames Water identified an inability of the existing foul water network to cope and the Environment Agency who were unable to provide a detailed response have put forward concerns. Hardly a robust investigation of the site.”
She also raised concerns over the development fitting in with the surrounding area. She said: “This is not place-shaping, it is place-breaking. The design will urbanise one of the most rural and remote areas of West Horsley.
“The development doesn’t fit the existing settlement pattern which includes a small cul-de-sac of bungalows and a ribbon development of family homes along Ockham Road North.”
She spoke about the density of houses being more than double that already found in the area and of roof heights. She also pointed out that around 200 new homes have been approved in West Horsley with no additional infrastructure yet delivered.
West Horsley, East Horsley and Ockham Parish Councils also objected on grounds including flooding and flood risk, the ‘suburban’ design of the houses which did not fit with the surrounding countryside, and the loss of trees. There were also 52 letters of objection received to initial plans.
Officers pointed out that there was no requirement of developers to solve existing flooding in the area.
An officer’s report read: “The development would provide 35 homes, of which all would be on land classified as Flood Zone 1, therefore, at the lowest risk of flooding.
“Through the development of this site, it presents the opportunity for improvements to the wider flooding issues by providing attenuation on site and slowing the run off into the river.
“The development would also provide dwellings which are sustainable, achieving a carbon emissions reduction, and include renewable energy sources, as well as delivering adaptable and accessible homes.
The scheme would provide funding towards environmental improvements within the village.”
Surrey County Council as the County Highway Authority raised no objections to the development, subject to conditions and a contribution of £70,000 towards a demand responsive bus service.
Councillor Colin Cross (Residents for Guildford and Villages, Lovelace) said: “I’m unhappy with the cherry picking approach to this. We are looking at a site where up to 150 houses can be expected overall and we are taking a very small element of it.”
He raised questions about the suitability of passing places to be added to Green Lane and whether they would be sufficient if there were any further development of the surrounding land, while acknowledging that he was aware he should only consider the application in front of him.
Councillor Christopher Barrass (Residents for Guildford and Villages, Clandon & Horsley): “In my experience, and having experienced it only last week, water levels are rising at considerable rates and at my own house we had to deal with major flooding which we haven’t seen in 40 years we’ve been there.
“I think we should be anticipating much more than we are in terms of flooding in this area.
“The residents have demonstrated this is an area of flooding. If what we’re doing is not genuinely improving it by much, we’re standing still rather than going forward. It should be significantly better.”
Councillor David Bilbé (Conservative, Normandy) said: “Over the years I have sat in this council chamber and seen photographs of people in rowing boats, and I’m not joking here. Considering the fact that water authorities say there is no flood risk, in actual fact when you look at the situation there’s a significant flood risk.
“That said, we must rely on statutory consultees and that’s what the officers have done in their report. I see no pictures of rowing boats but that’s what has happened here.”
He reminded all councillors to look at the application on its merit and not based on opinion or on conversations had before the planning meeting.
He also pointed out that this site was allocated for development and that should councillors vote against the development there would be a risk of appeal.