PLANNING COMMITTEE

 

       The proposed new planning legislation continues to cascade down from the South East Plan as described in last year’s Kingswood Matters. However, revised drafts of the Core Strategy of the Local Development Framework, as written by RBBC, have been subject of criticism by the Resident Associations and the Government Inspector.

In consequence it has not been finalised and is delayed further.

A change of Government would put this process in greater turmoil. In the meantime the Borough Local Plan 2005 remains as the essential local guide on planning.

 

       The recession appears to have had little influence on the number of planning applications being made, but clearly construction of houses in Kingswood is now more attractive than flats. Some developers have gone or sold out.

Unfortunately the proposals for some new houses are preposterously large and totally out of character with the existing Arcadian surround. New precedents have been set and the standards of acceptability changed or lowered.

 

     We have previously reported on our concerns for the Green Belt surrounding Kingswood, in particular the Banstead Estate to the north (Canons Farm area).

The owners, Whitecote Ltd., have inquired about a Continuing Care Retirement Community on 27 acres (of some 520 acres) and have been advised by the Council that an Environmental Impact Assessment is required. Also an application by Whitecote to build houses on 2 acres of an old allotment site alongside Wellesford Close has been refused by the Council and dismissed at Appeal by the Government Inspector.

 

The situation requires an ongoing watch.

 

John Lang (01737 832105)