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A Sports Hall for Esher Church of England High School, More Lane?

A Sports Hall for Esher Church of England High School, More Lane?

A planning application has been made to Elmbridge Borough Council (2010/2688) and Surrey County Council (2010/0200) for the "Erection of a new two storey school sports hall to provide covered sports facilities, new changing rooms and ancillary support space, associated landscaping and parking areas." at Esher Church of England High School, More Lane.

It is recognised that this development on a Green Belt site does not fall into the category of "appropriate development" as set out in Planning Policy Guidance 2 - Green Belts (PPG2). PPG2 states that inappropriate development should not be approved, except in very special circumstances.

The applicant contends that "very special education circumstances clearly exist". There is a need to create the new sports hall to meet statutory obligations, and Esher High School is the only suitable school to accommodate this. This need is seen as representing "very special circumstances", which justify development in the Green Belt.

The building complex is large being approximately 50 metres long by 35 metres wide and 10 metres high overall.


Residents in More Lane, bounding the site, have expressed concern that this large building will be overwhelming. Residents in Isabella House and Brunswick House are particularly concerned that they will lose amenity and will be dwarfed and dominated by the proposed building. These residents see no reason why this new building could not be re-sited some 10 metres further away from their boundary.

For more information go to www.elmbridge.gov.uk Planning 2010/2688

No. 19 Sandown Road - Planning application 2010/2399 refused.

The planning application to demolish No.19 Sandown Road and to build two new houses was refused by Elmbridge Borough Council on 11th November.

The reasons given for refusal of the application, which replaced a previous application 2010/1192, were stated as being:-

This amended scheme has not overcome the previous stated reasons for refusal. As such the proposed development is considered to be a cramped form of development that will be of detriment to the character of the area and the street scene which will be out of keeping with the prevailing layout of the area. The proposed development is considered to be contrary to saved Policies ENV1, ENV2 and HSG16 of the Replacement Elmbridge Local Plan 2000 and national guidance as set out within Planning Policy Statement 1 (Delivering Sustainable Development) and Planning policy Statement 3 (Housing).



Twenty households in Sandown Road made representations to the Council.

Planning Report - January 2011 Current Undecided Applications:

2010/1176/1177 UNITE Esher Pk Ave – On Appeal (written reps) 3 storey extn et al plus Listed Building Consent
2010/1867 Hill House Portsmouth Road - 8 apartments with basement, parking 2m high gates with 2.5m high piers following demolition of existing building
2010/2686 98 High Street - Conservation Area (Right of “China Express”) 3 storey rear extn for 5 flats & new shop front et al. EAPS 10 Jan with officer rec to permit
2010/2743 Daytona Sandown Park - Variation of Condition 5 of pp 1995/1317 to allow the use of 2 stroke water cooled karts EAPS 10 Jan with officer rec to permit as quieter than those currently used at site
2010/2828&2688 Land at Esher C Of E School High School More Lane - Consultation from SCC for 2 storey school sports hall with landscaping & parking very close to neighbours on Green Belt land. (ERA letter sent & EBC object)
2010/2894 Esher Baptist Church Park Road - Single storey rear extension with link & new forecourt following demolition of existing rear extension. Many letters on file both of support and objection

New Applications:
2010/3034 17a Wolsey Grove – further app in Conservation Area for detached three storey house with integral garage following demolition of existing workshop
2010/2923 & 3037 Van Brugh Wall, Claremont Drive – plus Listed Building Consent, infill to Grade 2* and new wall (ERA letters sent)
2010/2978 42-50 High Street - Amendments to 2010/1390 (4 retail/restaurant units with offices above following demolition of existing) to inc floor space by 929 sqm to provide basement for Unit A, reduction in floor space by 6.9 sqm to enable reposition of external staircase and provision of electrical sub-station at rear
2010/3050 Hill House Portsmouth Road - now 10 apartments, parking & 2m high entrance gates with 2.5m high piers following demolition of existing building

Applications Allowed:
2010/0532 2 Broomfields Esher Pk Ave – Appeal allowed detached 2 storey house following demolition of existing
2010/2510 Studio Cottage The Homewood Portsmouth Road - Tree Preservation Order EL:06/23 - removal of various trees because of planned rebuild 2008/1917
2010/2560 91 High Street - Conservation Area Change of use at 1st & 2nd floor from offices to 2 flats with rear balconies

Applications Refused: (Officer level refusal is OLR)
2010/2521 Land r/of Grapes Cottage, 79a High Street – (OLR) further app in Conservation Area for detached building of offices + flat above following demolition of existing outbuildings (after a refusal 2010/1203 in July) again refused because of potential threat to site trees

Applications Withdrawn: Not applicable this month

Planning Report – December 2010

Current Undecided Applications:
2010/0532 2 Broomfields Esher Pk Ave – Appeal (written reps) detached two storey house following demolition of existing house. Inspector has now done a site visit
2010/1176/1177 UNITE Esher Pk Ave - Appeal (written reps) 3 storey extn et al plus Listed Building Consent
2010/1867 Hill House Portsmouth Road - 8 apartments with basement, parking 2m high gates with 2.5m high piers following demolition of existing building
2010/2510 Studio Cottage The Homewood Portsmouth Road - Tree Preservation Order EL:06/23 - removal of various trees because of planned rebuild 2008/1917
2010/2521 Land r/of Grapes Cottage, 79a High Street - further app in Conservation Area for detached building of A2 offices + flat above following demolition of existing outbuildings (after a refusal 2010/1203 in July because of potential threat to site trees)
2010/2560 91 High Street - Conservation Area Change of use at 1st & 2nd floor from offices to 2 flats with rear balconies; generally liked by Esher CAAC

New Applications:
2010/2686 98 High Street - 3 storey rear extn to provide 5 flats & new shopfront following demolition of rear garage, lean to & single storey detached building following withdrawal of 2010/2067. Conservation Area (Right of “China Express”)
2010/2743 Daytona Sandown Park - Variation of Condition 5 of pp 1995/1317 to allow the use of 2-stroke water-cooled karts
2010/2828&2688 Land at Esher C of E School High School More Lane - Consultation from SCC for 2 storey school sports hall with landscaping & parking very close to neighbours on Green Belt land.
2010/2894 Esher Baptist Church Park Road - Single storey rear extension with link & new forecourt following demolition of existing rear extension

Applications Allowed: None available

Applications Refused: (Officer level refusal is OLR)
2010/2257 White Gates Milbourne Lane – 2 pairs of semi-detached two storey houses following demolition of existing. OLR - size, design, bulk and siting, in particular the eastern flank elevation is out of keeping with the character and appearance of the surrounding area & street scene & the proposed garages would, by reason of their size, bulk, siting & design = a visually obtrusive form of development detrimental to the character & appearance of street scene to this part of Milbourne Lane
2010/2399 19 Sandown Road – further app after last 1 refused for 2 detached two storey houses. OLR - This amended scheme has not overcome the previously stated reasons for refusal. As such the proposed development is considered to be a cramped form of development that will be of detriment to the character of the area and the streetscene which will be out of keeping with the prevailing layout of the area.

Applications Withdrawn:
2010/2067 98 High Street - 3 storey rear extn to provide 5 flats and new shop front Disliked by CAAC and EBC Env Health - noise and cooking odours
2010/2450 17a Wolsey Grove – further app in Conservation Area for detached three storey house with integral garage following demolition of existing workshop

Planning Report – July 2010

Current Undecided Applications:
2010/1199 Wootton Esher Park Avenue - 5 detached and 8 semi-detached (13 in total) three storey houses, all with dormer windows, Juliet balconies, basement + garage and new access from Esher Park Avenue after demolition of existing buildings – joint venture EHT & Octagon Developments Ltd.

To committee 26th July
2010/1203 Land to Rear of 79a High Street The Grapes - Detached 3 storey building offices on ground floor with flat above after demolition of existing outbuildings 2010/1225 Esher C Of E High School More Lane - application to Surrey County Council: Installation of demountable building comprising four classrooms for a temporary period of 5 years
2010/0532 2 Broomfields Esher Pk Ave – Appeal (written reps) detached house two storey house with additional rooms in the roof following demolition of existing house

New Applications:
2010/1375 1 Lynne Walk – further app for detached 2 storey house additional rooms in roof space & detached triple garage following demolition of existing house but revised plans just submitted to EBC have removed the contentious garage block
2010/1390 42-50 High Street - 4 retail/restaurant units with offices above 3034.1sqm following demolition of existing units 1673sqm between HSBC & Magnets. Esher Business Guild keen but Mailbox shop isnt and has approached ERA for advice.
2010/1455 43 Claremont Lane adjacent Bracondale & Milbourne Lane - Two storey rear extension to existing building and detached two storey house to rear for sheltered accommodation by Rosemary Simmons Memorial Housing Association
2010/1463 Land adjacent to 16 Claremont Drive – further app (the 14th) this time for additional detached 2 storey house with attached garage (very attractive design)
2010/1509 Grapes House 79A High Street - Listed Building Consent: Plaque
2010/1527 Cranfield Golf Academy Sandown Park - Green Belt - lawful development cert. Is planning permission required for continuous use of driving range floodlights?

Applications Allowed:
2009/0326 Appeal Allowed Daytona Go Karts – Green Belt - lawful development cert granted but hours reduced
2010/0880 Ernest Doe Portsmouth Road - 2 storey building, 2 retail units & free standing totem following demolition of existing single storey building & 2 sheds
2010/1188 The Lodge adj Moore Place Portsmouth Road - Retrospective change from dwelling to D1 non-residential institution - the Bloo School. With conditions - 8:30am to 5.00pm Mon - Fri only & not at any time on Sats, Suns, public holidays.
2010/1200 Drakes Close - 1.1 metre high entrance gate with 1.3 metre high posts

Applications Refused: (Officer level refusal is OLR)
2010/0935 17 Copsem Drive – 3m high acoustic fence with planting inside front boundary with Copsem Lane (OLR): Proposed fence, due to excessive height, would cause harm to the character of the area & be detrimental to visual amenity of area.
2010/1176 &1177 Esher Place/UNITE 30 Esher Place Avenue - 3 storey building linked to main listed building: proposed development by reason of design, mass, scale, materials & visibility would result in an adverse impact on setting of the Listed Building & out of character in area & development would result in overlooking and loss of privacy & amenity to local residents
2010/0860 Hersham Golf Club - Green Belt underground hotel, car parking and new access from Esher Road following demolition of existing buildings (353sqm): many reasons inc 'inappropriate development' in the Green Belt Applications Withdrawn: (as at EBC Planning Portal Application list 12 July 2010 and Decision list 2 July 2010)