Last month Bonnar Allan, a development company set up to undertake a housing scheme of more than 1,000 homes, had its application turned down by Elmbridge Council.
The site, located a short distance from Hersham station, near Esher, Surrey, would have had 1,024 new homes, with half for the affordable market. A new public park, with woodland, lake and meadow and landscape features covering approximately 74 acres – 50% of the site – was also proposed.
Elmbridge Council, which recommended the application for refusal (mainly on the grounds of the site’s listing as green belt), has more than 1,600 families on a waiting list seeking accommodation. It is also one of the wealthiest boroughs in the UK and situated firmly in London’s commuter belt.
Council documents reveal that so far this year, across Elmbridge, just one affordable home has been delivered. In the context of a target of 458 new affordable homes per year, which includes reducing a backlog of under-provision, Elmbridge is failing.
With Hersham station a short walk from the site, and then just a 26-minute train journey to Waterloo, this is exactly the sort of site which should be redeveloped.
Not only would it have added to London’s housing stock, with journey times to the capital far better than many places, it would also hugely benefit Elmbridge’s own housing supply.
The fact that the site’s status is green belt seems an easy excuse.
A Bonnar Allan spokesman said: “We were disappointed but not surprised by the decision. We remain committed to delivering new developments through a collaborative and constructive process, but it is clear to us that Elmbridge needs to address its housing need through well-managed and considered release of green belt sites that deliver significant numbers of new homes.”
It said it had not ruled out an appeal but that the decision had delayed development by a year.
What this shows is that London’s housing crisis is so severe that everyone needs to pull their weight, including local authorities outside the capital.
The city’s sphere of influence is such that many places have a far greater proportion of the population who depend on London’s job market than not.
But in areas like Elmbridge, councils and residents seem quite happy to benefit from the capital’s prosperity of jobs and culture but unwilling to contribute to meeting its housing need.
Other similar suburban schemes
Wisley Airfield, Surrey
Guildford Borough Council refused 2,068 homes in April 2016
Dunsfold Park, Waverley, Surrey
2,600 homes refused in 2008. New plans for 1,800 homes go before committee again soon.
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