New affordable flats approved in Surrey village despite neighbours' objections
Two blocks will be built on land behind Manor House Flats in Tongham
Plans for two new blocks of flats providing six affordable homes in Tongham, Surrey, have been given the green light.
Guildford Borough Council sought planning permission from itself to build the blocks on land to the rear of Manor House Flats.
According to the decision notice, planning permission was granted on 19th October.
What is planned
All the flats will be available at affordable rents at Local Housing Allowance levels, according to the planning documents.
Three of the flats will have one bedroom designed for two occupants.
The other three will have two bedrooms.
The site is 400 metres from Tongham village centre.
It is also less than three kilometres from both Aldershot and Ash railway stations.
The planning statement said:
'The provision of these homes will directly respond to the acute local need for affordable accommodation and will make a significant contribution towards addressing the affordability crisis and the identified shortfall in the borough's housing supply.'
It also said:
'The proposed accommodation will be of high quality, providing adequate amenity for future residents in the form of private and communal amenity space which exceeds policy requirements and design guidance, which will support the health, wellbeing, and day-to-day needs of residents.'
The statement added:
'The layout and orientation of the proposed development have been carefully considered to avoid any undue impact on the amenity of neighbouring properties, thereby maintaining privacy, outlook, and access to daylight for existing occupiers.'
Objections from neighbours
Several people living nearby wrote to object to the plans.
Their complaints ranged from loss of privacy and green space to possible traffic impacts.
One person said:
'I share serious concerns about the impact on our privacy, with new buildings and parking so close to our gardens.'
'This development will overlook our properties and result in a significant loss of outlook and natural light. The proposed density is out of keeping with the character of our low-rise, residential area.'
Another person said:
'The noise generated by construction activities will be extremely disruptive, particularly for residents like myself who work from home.'
'Additionally, long-term occupancy of the flats will result in a permanent increase in noise levels in a currently quiet area.'
Why it was approved
Planning officers recommended granting permission despite the objections.
They said it should be subject to conditions covering highway safety, ecology, flooding, drainage and trees.
Officers said:
'The proposed development would deliver six additional residential units of an acceptable scale, design and massing, and would therefore not result in unacceptable harm to the character of the area.'
'The site and building layout would ensure that acceptable living conditions would be provided to the occupants and the amenity of neighbouring properties would not be impacted to an unacceptable level.'