Controversial Walton-on-Thames station car park scheme returns with scaled-back plans

The scheme by Solum would see part of the Mayfield Road car park in Hersham replaced with a mix of terraced and semi-detached houses, alongside parking, landscaping and a new pedestrian route.

The site would remain partly in use as a car park.

At the heart of the project is a deal with Network Rail to relocate its Maintenance Delivery Unit (MDU), currently on the site, to the other side of the railway line off Station Avenue.

Developers say this would free up land for housing while improving rail access for maintenance vehicles and reducing disruption on nearby residential roads.

The revised application follows concerns that earlier plans for 26 homes were too dense and “unimaginative”, with a design described as a “continuous wall of development”.

The former plans were rejected in May 2025 for being “unacceptably cramped” and “visually awkward”.

In response, the new scheme reduces the number of homes to 23 and rotates the layout, breaking the development into six smaller terraces.

Developers say this creates a more traditional street pattern, with private gardens, clearer frontages and more space between buildings.

They have also introduced more greenery, including a woodland-style pedestrian path, small pockets of public space, and additional planting to soften the street scene.

Solum argues the changes address previous objections about poor design, lack of landscaping and an overbearing layout.

The updated plans also reposition bin and cycle storage to the rear of properties and remove parking from the entrance to create a more welcoming feel.

The car park itself is described in planning documents as “significantly underused”.

Surveys submitted with the application claim there is enough spare capacity in three nearby car parks (Mayfield Road, Station Avenue and Ashley Park) to absorb displaced vehicles.

Parking has previously been a sticking point. Other earlier objections from residents warned the loss of spaces would hit commuters, with some arguing the car park is “crucial” in an area with limited public transport options.

Developers maintain the location, around a six-minute walk from the station, makes it ideal for housing, particularly for commuters.

They also point to Elmbridge Borough Council’s ongoing housing shortage, with less than a year’s supply of deliverable sites.

Each home would have a private rear garden of around 40 square metres, with front gardens and access to shared green spaces.

While smaller than recommended guidelines, developers say revised layouts ensure adequate daylight and usability.

The proposal is part of a wider programme by Solum, a joint venture involving Network Rail, to redevelop surplus railway land across the South East.

If approved, construction would bring new homes, jobs and investment to the area, according to the applicant.

People can comment on the application on the council’s website until April 17, with a decision due May 22.