Agenda item

Erection of a multi storey car park comprising ground plus 5 storeys and 527 car parking spaces, reconfiguration of surface parking to provide 104 car parking spaces and improvement to the access road from Dorking Road.

Description

Erection of a multi storey car park comprising ground plus 5 storeys and 527 car parking spaces, reconfiguration of surface parking to provide 104 car parking spaces and improvement to the access road from Dorking Road.

Decision

The Committee received a presentation from the Planning Officer, who noted the publications of the Update Report and Addendum which were published in advance of the meeting.

The Committee was addressed by Ward Member, Councillor Liz Frost, who spoke in objection to the Application. The Committee also heard from a representative from Epsom Civic Society, who also spoke in objection to the Application.

The following matters were raised by the Committee:

a)            Height and massing: Members raised concerns regarding the height, mass, scale and design of the proposed scheme. Members noted the size and scale of the proposal and its materials and spoke about whether it would adversely impact the character and appearance of the surrounding area.

b)            Impact on Heritage Assets: Members raised concerns regarding the impact that the proposal may have on the surrounding Heritage Assets, including the neighbouring boundary of Woodcote Conservation Area. The Officer noted that the public benefits that would arise from the scheme being approved were considered to outweigh any adverse impacts of the proposal.

c)            Disabled parking provision: Members noted the 14 proposed disabled parking spaces, and the distribution of this provision across all storeys. The Officer noted that a condition seeking alternative provision for surface-level spaces may be sought if Members so wished.

d)            Green Agenda: Members highlighted the importance of proposals being eco-friendly. The Officer noted that the proposed scheme incorporated bio-diversity enhancements, green walls and electric-charging points.

e)            Access from Dorking Road: Members raised concerns regarding the traffic flow and access from the adjacent Dorking Road. Officers noted that the Applicant has worked with Surrey County Council Highways and that they have no objections to the proposed development.

The Committee took a vote based on the Officer’s recommendation, which was to approve Planning permission. Following consideration, the Committee resolved with 6 Members voting against, 4 Members voting for, and the Chair not voting that:

Planning Permission is NOT GRANTED.

The Committee then moved the vote to refuse the Application.

The reasons for this refusal were as follows:

·                     The proposed development, by reasons of its height, mass, scale and poor design (including its roof form, and choice of specified materials), would adversely impact and harm the character and appearance of the area, failing to comply with Policy CS5 of the Core Strategy (2007), Policies DM9, DM10 and DM11 of the Development Management Policies Document (2015) and paragraphs 2, 122 and 127 of the NPPF (2019).

·                     The proposed development, by reasons of its height, mass, scale and poor design (including its roof form, and choice of specified materials), would fail to preserve or enhance the character or setting of the adjacent Woodcote Conservation Area, failing to comply with Policy CS5 of the Core Strategy (2007), Policies DM8 and DM9 of the Development Management Policies Document (2015) and paragraphs 2, 193, 196 and 202 of the NPPF (2019).

The Committee resolved, with 6 Members voting for, 4 Members voting against and the Chair not voting that:

The Application be REFUSED based on reasons highlighted by the Committee, including concerns surrounding:

•           Mass, scale and height of building

•           Heritage assets and the impact of the neighbouring Conservation Area