Councillors approve housing development in West Horsley despite over 100 objections
A plan to build 65 homes in West Horsley, Surrey, has been approved
A plan to build 65 homes in West Horsley, Surrey, has been approved by councillors after facing significant opposition from locals.
The development will take place on land at Ockham Road, which was identified in the area's local plan as suitable for housing, despite its current open paddock status.
Out of the 65 homes, 26 will be designated as affordable housing. The plan includes 161 parking spaces, as well as amenities like a play area and an attenuation pond to manage water runoff.
The application was initially recommended for approval by Guildford Borough Council officers. However, more than 160 public objections were raised, prompting the proposal to be presented to the planning committee.
Local residents raised concerns about the effect of the development on highway safety given the area's narrow roads, and warned about the site's potential for waterlogging during winter.
Resident Justin Underwood, who has lived nearby for three decades, expressed doubts about the site's suitability for sustainable transport. Jennifer Holly shared fears of increased flood risk, joking about the area's propensity to flood: “Those of us living around the development joke about needing a canoe after it rains.”
In response to flooding worries, council officer Andrew Thompson assured that the drainage strategy could potentially improve local conditions by controlling surface water runoff.
Representing Persimmon Homes, Mark Hendy stated that feedback from locals had shaped the proposal to reflect West Horsley's character.
However, voices against the project remained firm, with Councillor Catherine Young arguing it would damage the village's character and emphasising the area's reliance on cars due to limited public transport.
Surrey County Council did not anticipate the proposal would significantly impact highway safety, according to the officers' report.
Ultimately, councillors approved the development based on the site's designated status, with supporters citing the benefits as outweighing any negatives.
Councillor Stephen Hives summed up the committee's decision: “Given that this is an allocated site, I can’t see how we can refuse it.”