Elmbridge Borough Council approve homes plan for Molesey Venture site

Previously known as the Molesey Venture, the former residential and day care centre for people with learning difficulties has drawn more than 300 objections.

Members of Elmbridge Borough Council’s planning committee green lit the application for three detached residential buildings off Orchard Lane on March 11.

Councillors were hamstrung in their efforts to try to manage the “overbearing” nature of Block C but ultimately the housing benefits of the scheme outweighed the harm.

Demolishing the seven buildings currently there, applicants Sons of Divine Providence and Lifestyle Residences will erect a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and town houses.

Selling at around 80 per cent of market value, 20 affordable homes are also included in the development.

But one resident speaking at the meeting highlighted his house will be “significantly impacted by Block C which will be less than seven metres from [his] boundary”.

Mr Christopher Hunt slammed the proposal as an “overly intensive development” which will “dominate its surrounding” two storey houses with its towering skyline.

The three buildings- labelled as Blocks A, B and C- all vary in heights and make-up. Block C, the controversial element, is made of two parts.

Facing Orchard Lane, the front of the building will appear to be a typical two-storey house.

But behind it, and linked via a glazed walkway, will be a three-storey building with flats located within a sloping roof.

Block A will be four storeys tall, with the third floor set back and containing 50 flats. Block B consists of four town houses, three storeys high with the top floor located within a sloping mansard roof.

The homes across these sites will be reserved for ‘later living’ and more senior clientele but no care services are provided on site.

Head of Planning, Cllr Caroline James called for the “overbearing” development to be refused.

She described the height, mass and bulk as an “unacceptable loss of privacy” for those living on 18 Orchard Lane and 71 Farm Way.

Planning officers and councillors raised the alarm that 14 large windows were positioned at the front of Block C, and although tilted away from the nearby properties, could see directly into the gardens.

Although plants could reduce the overlooking, the officer said, they cannot be guaranteed to be in place permanently.

“It’s like dumping something right on their boundary,” said Cllr Alex Coomes.

He told the committee he originally thought the development was “fantastic” and councillors would rubber stamp the scheme but changed his mind after the site visit.

“Just because we need homes doesn’t mean we should accept unsuitable developments,” Cllr Alex W. Batchelor.

But not everyone on the planning committee agreed.

Councillors were worried about the prospect of overlooking from the development but judged they could not pass on the opportunity for more homes with affordable units included.

“I don’t think we can refuse these applications,” Cllr Lawrence Wells said.

The Liberal Democratic member for Cobham and Downside argued housing is needed in the borough and that the potential harms do not outweigh the benefits of the scheme.

Councillors said they “feel the pain” of residents with the imposing development but claimed the proposal would likely be waved through at appeal anyway.