Agenda and draft minutes

To receive declarations of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or other registrable or non-registrable interests from Members in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.

25/01132/TPO Drummond Gardens, Christ Church Mount, Epsom KT19 8RP

Councillor Clive Woodbridge, Other Interest: Councillor Clive Woodbridge declared that he and other Members of the Committee had received correspondence from the Drummond Gardens property group. He wished to state on behalf of the Committee that he and the other Members maintained an open mind, to which there was no disagreement from Members.

The Committee is asked to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 18 June 2026 (attached) and to authorise the Chair to sign them.

The Committee confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 18 June 2026 and authorised the Chair to sign them.

Replacement of air handling condensers with six heats pumps and four condenser units housed within acoustic panelling.

Description:

Replacement of air handling condensers with six heat pumps and four condenser units housed within acoustic panelling.

Officer Recommendation:

Approval, subject to conditions and informatives.

Officer Presentation:

The Committee received a presentation on the application from the Planning Development Team Leader.

Public Speaking:

There was no public speaking on the application.

Decision:

Following consideration, Councillor Robert Leach proposed a motion that the Officer recommendation be agreed. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Neil Dallen.

The Committee resolved (8 for, and the Chair not voting) to:

Grant planning permission, subject to the following conditions and informatives:

Conditions

(1)          Timescale

The development hereby permitted shall be commenced within three years from the date of this decision.

Reason: To comply with Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended).

(2)          Approved Plans

Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the local planning authority, the development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following plans:

Location Plan at 1:500

Drawing Number PHSE-01-01 Block Plan

Drawing Number 4941-M2 P1 Proposed Layout at Roof Level

Drawing Number 4941-M4 P1 Boiler Replacement Heat Pumps at Roof Level

Drawing Number 4941-M5 P1 Theatre Cooling Condensers Roof Level

Drawing Number 4949-M8 P1 Proposed Heath Pump Location on South East Elevation

Drawing Number 4949-M9 P1 Proposed Condenser Location on North (Rear) Elevation

Reason: For avoidance of doubt and to ensure that the development is carried out in accordance with the approved plans to comply with Policy CS5 of the Core Strategy 2007.

(3)          Noise Restriction

The sound pressure level emitted from the permitted fixed plant will not exceed 37 dB LAeq,15min free-field equivalent, 1 m in front of the window or door to a habitable room of any residential dwelling. Assessments should be made under normal operating conditions in the temperature range 7 – 25°C.

Reason: To protect neighbouring amenities from noise disturbance in accordance with Section 15 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2024, Policy CS6 of the Core Strategy 2007 and Policy DM10 of the Development Management Policies Document 2015.

(4)          Acoustic Report

Prior to first use, an Acoustic Report shall be submitted and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority outlining expected noise levels and the performance of the mitigations deployed to comply with condition 3.

Reason: To protect neighbouring amenities from noise disturbance in accordance with Section 15 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2024, Policy CS6 of the Core Strategy 2007 and Policy DM10 of the Development Management Policies Document 2015.

(5)          Removal

The heats pumps, condenser units and acoustic panelling shall be removed within one month of any cessation of use.

Reason: To maintain the character of the area and the setting of the adjacent listed building, in accordance with Section 16 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2024, Policy CS5 of the Core Strategy 2007 and Policies DM8, DM9 and DM10 of the Development Management Policies Document 2015.

Informatives

(1)          Positive and Proactive Discussion

In dealing with the application the Council has implemented  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

Felling of 4 Pedunculate Oaks marked 5, 6, 9 and 12 (within A6 of TPO 126) at Drummond Gardens and felling of 6 Lombardy Poplars marked 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 (T99-T103 and T105 of TPO) 284 at Long Grove Park.

Description:

Felling of 4 Pedunculate Oaks marked 5, 6, 9 and 12 (within A6 of TPO 126) at Drummond Gardens and felling of 6 Lombardy Poplars marked 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 (T99-T103 and T105 of TPO) 284 at Long Grove Park.

Officer Recommendation:

Part approval/part refusal (permitting lesser works).

Officer Presentation:

The Committee received a presentation on the application from the Tree Officer.

Public Speaking:

There was no public speaking on the application.

Decision:

Following consideration, Councillor Neil Dallen proposed a motion that the Officer recommendation be agreed. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Robert Leach.

The Committee resolved (7 for, 1 abstaining, and the Chair not voting) to:

PART A

REFUSE the felling of Oak T9 and Poplars T20, T21 and T25 for the following reasons:

(1)          Insufficient Evidence

It is considered that there is insufficient evidence to establish a direct causal link between these trees and the current episodes of subsidence related damage at the property

(2)          Harm to Environmental Quality

Removal of these trees will have an adverse impact on the environmental quality and sylvan character that provides amenity by denuding too much of the canopy cover and wildlife habitat, contrary to Policies CS1 and CS5 of the Core Strategy 2007, Policies DM5 and DM9 of the Development Management Policies Document 2015 and Section 15 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2024.

PART B

APPROVE:

-       Felling of Oaks T5, T6, T12 and Lombardy Poplars T22, T23 and T24

-       Crown reduction of Oak T9 and Poplars T20, T21 and T25

subject to the following conditions and informatives:

Conditions

(1)          Approved works

All tree works shall be carried out to British Standard 3998 in accordance with the following specification:

-       T5, T6, T12 - Oaks: Fell.

-       T22, T23, T24 - Poplars: Fell.

-       T9 - Oak: Reduce the crown by up to 2.5m. Remove dead wood.

-       T20, T21, T25 - Poplars: Crown reduce by 8m to a height approximately 2m above the historical pollard points, remove dead branches, retain the deadwood habitat of topping stubs but reduce their weight as necessary to ensure stability.

Reason: To ensure that the tree(s) receive the appropriate treatment and that the tree work is of a satisfactory standard to protect amenity in accordance with Policies CS1 and CS5 of the Core Strategy 2007 and Policies DM5 and DM9 of the Development Management Policies 2015.

Informatives

(1)          Completion

The work in this notification must be completed within two years from the date of this notification. If this is not the case, a new notification must be made to the local planning authority.

(2)          Protection of Plants and Wildlife

Anyone carrying our work to a tree, even under an exemption, should ensure they do not contravene laws protecting plants and wildlife. If in doubt, you are advised to seek advice form us or Natural England on how to proceed.

(3)          Continuation of Level Monitoring

It is recommended that level monitoring should continue a year after the felling  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

Summary of Likely Applications to be Heard at Planning Committee.

The Committee received and noted a report summarising likely applications to be heard at Planning Committee.