Plans for vandalised Surrey car park to be transformed into block of flats green-lit

Plans to convert the vandalised Church Road car park into 42 modern apartments and commercial space in Ashford have been green lit.

The top floor of the former car park shut in 2013, and then the whole site closed in June 2022 after alarming reports of anti-social behaviour, vandalism and youths causing havoc.

Members at a Spelthorne Borough Council planning committee unanimously approved the scheme on April 2.

Officers reported the benefits of replacing the “disused and unattractive” car park with the proposed development will “clearly outweigh the impacts” of a taller building on the neighbouring properties.

Over 20 people objected to the plans, claiming Ashford does not need any more flats and the council should build smaller family homes with gardens instead.

Others slammed the scheme as straining the creaking infrastructure and exacerbating gridlock in the town centre.

“Ashford desperately needs a boost to ensure it doesn’t fall further behind the centre of Staines,” said Councillor Chris Bateson.

The Liberal Democrat member for Staines South described the plans as “smart” and will give Ashford the “economic boost” it needs.

“While this development is two times higher than what it will replace, we have to remember it is replacing a derelict and underutilised [building],” said Cllr Daniel Geraci.

Officers also stressed the proposed development will be “roughly” a similar height to the nearby Brooklands College.

They said the proposed development will be set several metres back from the current site so it is not in line with neighbouring properties and will create a new public space at the front.

Church Road car park will be demolished and replaced with a five-storey block of flats at 18.3 metres tall – over twice the height of the current building.

Around 42 new homes, mostly two-bedroom flats and some one-bed units, could be created. Commercial space for a shop on the ground floor will also be available as part of the scheme.

The proposal also includes 81 parking spaces, with 42 spaces for each of the new apartments and the remaining 39 spaces for public parking for the town centre.

Some members flagged there was some ambiguity how a wheelchair user in the car park would get back up to street level without using a lift which could go into the residential building.

But officers explained the issue can be added on conditions and dealt with

The proposed scheme, put forward by Spelthorne council itself, offers no affordable housing and will consist of mostly two-bedroom flats.

The council has “indicated” to officers it hopes to provide affordable housing in the long-term with funding from Homes England – but the current plans show all the homes are to be sold at market value.

Officers said they did not have the details whether Spelthorne council would manage the project or whether it would be taken over by a developer.