Sunbury: Plans for retirement homes approved at appeal
Plans to build a luxury retirement village on a former landfill site in Sunbury have been approved on appeal, overturning the council’s initial refusal.
The planning inspector found there were “very special circumstances” of providing homes for older people which outweighed harm to the green belt.
The phased development, proposed by Inspired Village, will include 164 homes as senior living accommodation, a village centre and a care home. The proposed site, on Vicarage Road, is green belt land separating London from Surrey.
Spelthorne Borough Council (SBC) initially rejected the application in October 2023 because the affluent retirement village would be out of character with the rural area of Vicarage Road. Concerns were also raised that the development would not contribute to affordable homes.
But a planning inspector has overruled the local authority’s decision, arguing: “There is no doubt that there is a clear and pressing need for this type of development in Spelthorne.”
Hayley Butcher said there is a “critical” need to provide housing for older people nationally, and there are significant benefits of the development in providing housing with support and a care home.
The council agreed there is a significant level of need for ‘housing with care’ and care home bed spaces in the borough, according to the final decision report. In her reasoning, the planning inspector also noted that SBC cannot demonstrate it has enough houses to be built over the next five years.
Harm to the green belt by putting a large care home development on an open field was acknowledged as “significant”. But ultimately the inspector ruled that the “over-riding suburban character” of the area would mean the retirement village would not be out of place.
She dismissed Spelthorne’s claims the area was of a “rural” character, referencing the high-rise buildings in the distance, and claimed the development would “read as part of the established townscape”.
Neighbours campaigning against the retirement village raised concerns of the development’s impact on the long-standing flooding problems in the area. The inspector recognised these matters were of great concern but said it would be feasible to adequately drain the site so it would not create an increased flood risk.
Contaminated material (potentially harmful substances) on the proposed site was another issue flagged by residents and SBC. The Environment Agency had also expressed concerns the development would disturb historic landfill, causing illegal waste activity. But the planning inspector tackled the concern with requiring the developer to carry out a risk-assessment on the land.
“We are deeply sorry for this outcome and extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the residents who fought tirelessly against this development,” said Councillor Harry Boparai in a post on Facebook.
He added: “Spelthorne Council has been steadfast in representing the interests of its residents, and we gave everything we could to oppose this appeal. This result is profoundly disappointing for us all.”
Slapping on numerous conditions, the inspector tried to address many of the issues raised by concerned residents and councillors. Restricting the hours of construction, draining the site, a buffer zone to protect wildlife and assessing the risks of contamination are some of the conditions she has required Inspire Village to agree to.