Sunbury neighbours ‘distraught’ as beloved green under threat by six-house development

Residents on Catherine Drive are “absolutely distraught” that their green space is under threat as a developer plans to build six affordable homes.

In 2022, the neighbours clubbed together £27,000 to try and save the green and buy the land at auction but failed when it was sold for over twice that amount. The residents had thought the green belonged to Spelthorne Borough Council, who they said had always looked after it and regularly cut the grass.

Jason Kiefer, 52, lives on the road with his family, having moved in 17 years ago. Since then, the green has formed a core part of his family and the community’s lives. He explained the development in the centre of Catherine Drive would “segregate everyone off” from each other as it is an “integral part” of the cul-de-sac. Jason said the developer is “ruining everybody’s life” for the sake of six houses.

The nearly 1900m2 green space, peppered with trees, is said to have been created with the housing estate almost 60 years ago. “The kids are always on it in the summer,” said Jason. From Football World Cup parties and jubilee celebrations, to barbecues and birthdays, Jason said: “It pulls the whole community together. Everyone can see everyone. We all get out there and have a laugh in the summer.”

Now, a developer has proposed to build six, two-storey affordable homes in the centre of Catherine Drive cul-de-sac. Each of the houses is designed to have a private garden as well as on-site parking provision.

Spelthorne council has an unmet need for affordable houses, according to the planning documents. In October 2024, nearly 900 families were on the housing register waiting for an affordable two-bed home. Spelthorne Borough Council also has to build around 755 homes a year under new proposed targets set by the government.

The developer proposes to create “an enhanced public amenity space” and keep the urban open land. But Jason said: “You can’t enhance what we’ve already got.” Spelthorne Borough Council classified the land as an “Asset of Community Value” in July, meaning community groups can potentially protect the space as an area providing social wellbeing and value.

Jason told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that Spelthorne Borough Council had always looked after the green since he lived there by regularly cutting the grass. He and the other residents had assumed it was owned and protected by the local authority.

After the council stopped cutting the grass a couple of years ago, the neighbours of Catherine Drive looked after it themselves. Jason said they held a party on the green and fundraised to pay £750 for a ride-along lawn mower so he could cut the grass twice a month.

Jason has also said there is a flaw with the proposal as Catherine Drive is an adopted highway. Generally, developers cannot build, rent out or prevent public access on an adopted highway unless a specific agreement is in place. “All he’s bought is the top soil,” Jason explained.

“It’s the biggest scam ever,” said Councillor Harry Boparai. The Liberal Democrat councillor for Sunbury Common said the whole situation causes “unnecessary hell for residents” as they worry about their neighbourhood’s future.

He claimed “so much time and money is wasted” going through the developer’s application when it is for land that cannot be built on. “We should be protecting residents from this sort of thing,” he added.

A council spokesperson said: “The Local Planning Authority is required to consider all planning applications which have been properly submitted, including the current proposal. This is a planning application for the erection of six, two-storey affordable dwellings, grouped into two buildings. Local residents have been notified of the proposals and their comments will be taken into account when the application is determined, which is expected to be in the new year.”

ET Planning declined to comment at this time.