Agenda item

The purpose of this report is to seek approval to publish the Final Epsom Town Centre Masterplan. A Draft of the Town Centre Masterplan was subject to public consultation for a four-week period between the 24 November and 22 December 2023 during which 213 responses were received.

Since the Draft masterplan was published for consultation, landowners on some of the opportunity sites have commenced developing schemes for consideration through the submission of planning applications (including pre-application).

The Town Centre Masterplan will form part of the evidence base for the Local Plan (Regulation 19) and will not be a statutory planning document.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Approve publication of the Epsom Town Centre Masterplan (Appendices 1-and 2 of this report).

The Committee received a report seeking approval to publish the Final Epsom Town Centre Masterplan. A Draft of the Town Centre Masterplan was subject to public consultation for a four-week period between the 24 November and 22 December 2023 during which 203 responses were received.

Since the Draft masterplan was published for consultation, landowners on some of the opportunity sites have commenced developing schemes for consideration through the submission of planning applications (including pre-application).

The Town Centre Masterplan will form part of the evidence base for the Local Plan (Regulation 19) and will not be a statutory planning document.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Motorists. A Member of the Committee raised their concerns at the attitude of the Masterplan towards motorists, and the loss of parking spaces, and narrowing of roads for cycle lanes. The Planning Policy Manager explained that the transport strategy elements of the Masterplan, are high-level, aspirational and illustrative, and would require further assessment and detailed work to determine how they would work if put into practice.

b)            Density and Height. A Member of the Committee raised that the borough needs to build upwards in the more urban settings, as this will contribute towards the housing need, whilst helping to preserve Greenbelt Land. The Member asked why the proposed SGN site has come forward with less homes than originally anticipated. The Planning Policy Manager explained that there will always be variance between Masterplan concepts and Planning applications and the variance is due to the three different options set out in the Masterplan, which range in size and will be impacted by the size of the Laine replacement facility. The Member asked which other sites have been considered when taking into account density and height. The Planning Policy Manager informed the Committee that the core changes were the Town Hall site and combined with the Hope Lodge, Epsom Clinic, and Ambulance Station site, which have all been looked at to see what different options could be accommodated on those sites, including proposals for flatted schemes, up to 5 Storeys.

c)            Publication. A Member of the Committee raised that Members are being asked to approve the publication of the Masterplan, not to approve the Masterplan. The Chair agreed with the Member but highlighted that now was also the time for Members to ask questions and seek clarity on specific areas. The Planning Policy Manager informed the Committee that the Masterplan had already been out for two rounds of consultation, and explained that because it is evidence based, it is not formally adopted, but instead it is published and then becomes part of the Local Plan evidence base. Another Member of the Committee raised that it is important to ask questions to clarify the contents of the document. Another Member of the Committee raised that it is important to make the distinction between a discussion document and a policy document, to ensure that it is clear what the Council intends to do compared to what could be done. The Chair noted the comments.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Approve publication of the Epsom Town Centre Masterplan (Appendices 1 and 2 of this report).