Readers will recall the application to demolish the bungalow at 126 Manor Lane at the junction with Green Street and the absurdly ambitious application to develop 9 flats on the same site. Very sensibly, and under the weight of local opposition, the application was withdrawn by the developer before it could be determined by the Local Planning Authority (see article of 15th May 2017).

It’s typical that when a plan, for whatever reason, fails to go ahead, the developer will come up with a more modest proposal in the hope that local residents will feel grateful for any concessions made. It is also well known that developers rely on ‘campaign fatigue’ as fewer people will take the trouble to make representations on second or subsequent applications.

This Association is not a reflexive naysayer, recognising, as we do, that the vast majority of single dwelling development applications imply improvements not only for their owners but in the local housing stock generally. However, we will not hesitate to oppose inappropriate schemes; and the application to replace the bungalow with 7 x 2 bedroom flats together with a mere 7 parking spaces is a conspicuous example of over-development.

The closing date for making representations is shown as 18th October but late submissions will be accepted for a week or two beyond that date as the developer failed to submit an important document at the time of making the application. Giving your views online could not be easier and we urge you to do so by visiting: my.spelthorne.gov.uk/planningpublisher.aspx?requesttype=parsetemplate& template=DCSearch.tmplt and quote planning reference: 17/01483/FUL.

The submission by this Association may be viewed by clicking here