Tag Archives: Knaphill

Planning update 13/1/14

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NEW PLANNING DECISIONS

PLAN/2013/0193 22A High Street

Proposed demolition of existing outbuilding and replacement with a detached 3 bedroom dwelling.

This is the site at the rear of the take-away and the old library.

The application was rejected by the Planning Officer, delegated responsibility, however the owners have appealed the decision and we must await the decision of a Planning Inspector.

The appeal has been rejected and therefore the decision of WBC stands. The Planning Inspectors report can be found on WBC’s Planning Portal under the applications reference number.

Appeal reference APP/A3655/A/13/2199725

 

NEW PLANNING APPLICATIONS & APPEALS

PLAN/2013/0350 48 Lower Guildford Road

Erection of a two bedroom detached house.

The original application was rejected under delegated powers. The grounds for the rejection were on the grounds that the proposed development would result in an incongruous overdevelopment of the site in breach of CS21 and CS24 policies.

 

The applicant submitted an appeal on 12/12/2013.

 

PLAN/2013/1229 58 Chobham Road

Erection of new dwelling.

This application is for the removal of conditions imposed with the decision to permit the building of a new house. The condition relates to windows on the side elevation.

 

PLAN/2013/1235 23 Sparvell Road

Erection of two storey rear extension

 

PLAN/2013/1256 92 High Street

Erection of a two storey side and rear extension

 

PLAN/2013/1222 35 Grindstone Crescent

Insertion of a second storey window

 

 

OUTSTANDING PLANNING APPLICATIONS

PLAN/2013/0856 – Brookwood Farm

Reserved matters application for the access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for the erection of a primary school.

In December Woking Borough Council (WBC) Planning Committee deferred making a decision on the above application. One of the main reasons for deferment was due to the fact that Surrey County Council (SCC) had withdrawn a planning application for a new footpath and bridge connecting the two school buildings (more on this later in this report). There was also concern with regards general access to the school both on foot and for vehicle access. SCC had also failed to give any details on the materials to be used in the construction of the school and the Planning Officer stated in his report that if the materials are not carefully selected it could result in stark form of development within the landscape. Finally Councillors have issues with parking for parents dropping or collecting children.

 

PLAN/2013/1225 15 High Street

Application to relax condition 24 of planning permission 2010/0085 to require that only the first and second floor windows in the west elevation be obscure glazed in perpetuity except windows 1 and 3 on the approved plan.

This is yet another planning application from the developer of the old Clifton’s site. The condition in the original planning decision was added because the new building is very close to the houses in Fosters Lane and what then was HSBC bank. Woking Borough Council imposed a condition that the first and second floor windows in the east (facing the old HSBC bank) and west (facing Fosters Lane) shall be obscure glazed in perpetuity. The Council’s reason for this condition was to avoid overlooking into adjoining property.

 

PLAN/2013/0864 Brookwood Farm

New footpath and canal bridge.

This application is linked to the planning application, reported on above, for the building of a new school building on Green Belt land in Brookwood Farm. The footpath and bridge are to link the new school building to the school on Connaught Road. Surrey County Council plan for a new bridge to cross the canal, at the rear of the Connaught Road School and linked to a footpath that will go across the Country Park to the new school building on Brookwood Farm.

This application has been withdrawn by SCC. First, Natural England has raised a number of objections to the plan and secondly, local residents in Brookwood were opposed to the public footpath continuing through the school grounds and onto Connaught Road.

 

 

PLAN/2013/1081 Barnbrook Sinclair, 1 & 3 High Street, Knaphill

This is an application to gain outline planning permission to demolish the current building and build a four storey block of flats. There would be 10 flats four of which would be two bedroom flats but only 10 parking bays.

 

This building, as well as the old headquarters of Barnbrrok Sinclair, is also the home of the pet shop Pets Kingdom and PC repair A&E PC Repairs both of which will lose their premises if planning permission is granted.

 

If you go to Memory Lane, local history on the KRA web site you will be able to read some of the history of this old beautiful building.

 

PLAN/2013/0940 16 – 39 Chequer Tree Close

This application from the above residents is to change of use of open amenity land to become residential land by moving fence line.

 

PLAN/2013/1122 & 1124 Tesco’s 15 High Street

Installation of an ATM to the shop front.

The installation of 6 bollards in front of the proposed ATM and shop front.

The above two planning applications are linked. Local residents have asked if another ATM in the village is required. If Tesco’s feel that it is important for the store to have its own ATM then they have been asked to relocate it from the Fosters Lane end of the building.

 

PLAN/2013/0202 Total (now Esso) Garage, 23 High Street

Variation of condition 6 to PLAN/1985/0686

Currently the petrol station and associated shop have opening hours of 07.00 to 23.00 hrs. The application was to be allowed to open from 06.00 to midnight. In July the Planning Committee rejected this application but the owners have now lodged an appeal.

Appeal reference APP/A3655/A/13/2203626

 

PLAN/2013/0991 Alpha hospital, Rose Lodge, Barton Close

Alterations to PLAN/2012/0700

 

This application is to take account of the fact that the original plans that were approved had the construction traffic entering the site via Barton Close where after representation it was changed to direct entry from Redding Way.

 

Brookwood Farm Development

The new road, Brookwood Farm Drive is now open and is the only vehicle access to Raynes Close.

Cala Homes have taken over the old Post Office in Connaught Road and converted it into an Information Centre for the proposed housing estate at Brookwood Farm.

 

Note This report does not attempt to cover all planning issues in Knaphill. If you have any questions or points on the above please feel free to contact the KRA.

Phil Stubbs

18/12

Planning update 17/12/13

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NEW PLANNING DECISIONS

PLAN/2013/0856 – Brookwood Farm

Reserved matters application for the access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for the erection of a primary school.

Woking Borough Council (WBC) Planning Committee deferred making a decision on the above application. One of the main reasons for deferment was due to the fact that Surrey County Council (SCC) had withdrawn a planning application for a new footpath and bridge connecting the two school buildings (more on this later in this report). There was also concern with regards general access to the school both on foot and for vehicle access. SCC had also failed to give any details on the materials to be used in the construction of the school and the Planning Officer stated in his report that if the materials are not carefully selected it could result in stark form of development within the landscape. Finally Councillors have issues with parking for parents dropping or collecting children.

 

PLAN/2013/1121, 1123 & 1125 Clifton’s, 15 High Street

This is the site of the proposed new Tesco’s and 12 apartments. A number of planning applications have been fast tracked by Woking’s Planning Authority and have been approved under delegated powers vested in Head of Planning:-

PLAN/2013/1121 Four large TESCO standard glazed shop front with aluminium powder coated frames.

PLAN/2013/1123 Planned permission for the installation of 3 NOAC units and one 2 fan condenser on the roof within the enclosed service yard.

PLAN/2013/1125 Advertisement consent for the installation of two internally illuminated signs and to internally illuminated projected sign.

 

PLAN/2013/0756 8 Anchor Crescent

Change of use from A1/A2 (retail or office) to A3 restaurant and café and A5 hot food takeaway including internal alterations and installation of new filtered extract system.

These are the premises last used by Garrett, solicitors.

This application has been rejected.

 

PLAN/2013/1094 38 Lane End Drive

Proposed extensions and alterations to existing bungalow to include raising of the ridgeline to accommodate the creation of additional storey at first floor level plus the erection of front porch canopy.

This application has been approved under delegated powers.

 

NEW PLANNING APPLICATIONS

 

PLAN/2013/1225 15 High Street

Application to relax condition 24 of planning permission 2010/0085 to require that only the first and second floor windows in the west elevation be obscure glazed in perpetuity except windows 1 and 3 on the approved plan.

This is yet another planning application from the developer of the old Clifton’s site. The condition in the original planning decision was added because the new building is very close to the houses in Fosters Lane and what then was HSBC bank. Woking Borough Council imposed a condition that the first and second floor windows in the east (facing the old HSBC bank) and west (facing Fosters Lane) shall be obscure glazed in perpetuity. The Council’s reason for this condition was to avoid overlooking into adjoining property.

 

OUTSTANDING PLANNING APPLICCATIONS

 

PLAN/2013/0864 Brookwood Farm

New footpath and canal bridge.

This application is linked to the planning application ,reported on above, for the building of a new school building on Green Belt land in Brookwood Farm. The footpath and bridge are to link the new school building to the school on Connaught Road. Surrey County Council plan for a new bridge to cross the canal, at the rear of the Connaught Road School and linked to a footpath that will go across the Country Park to the new school building on Brookwood Farm.

This application has been withdrawn by SCC. First, Natural England have raised a number of objections to the plan and secondly, local residents in Brookwood were opposed to the public footpath continuing through the school grounds and onto Connaught Road.

 

PLAN/2013/1018 Barnbrook Sinclair, 1 & 3 High Street, Knaphill

This is an application to gain outline planning permission to demolish the current building and build a four storey block of flats. There would be 10 flats four of which would be two bedroom flats but only 10 parking bays.

 

This building, as well as the old headquarters of Barnbrrok Sinclair, is also the home of the pet shop Pets Kingdom and PC repair A&E PC Repairs both of which will lose their premises if planning permission is granted.

 

If you go to Memory Lane, local history on the KRA web site you will be able to read some of the history of this old beautiful building.

 

PLAN/2013/0940 16 – 39 Chequer Tree Close

This application from the above residents is to change of use of open amenity land to become residential land by moving fence line.

 

 

PLAN/2013/1122 & 1124 Tesco’s 15 High Street

Installation of an ATM to the shop front.

The installation of 6 bollards in front of the proposed ATM and shop front.

The above two planning applications are linked. Local residents have asked if another ATM in the village is required. If Tesco’s feel that it is important for the store to have its own ATM then they have been asked to relocate it from the Fosters Lane end of the building.

 

PLAN/2013/0202 Total (now Esso) Garage, 23 High Street

Variation of condition 6 to PLAN/1985/0686

Currently the petrol station and associated shop have opening hours of 07.00 to 23.00 hrs. The application was to be allowed to open from 06.00 to midnight. In July the Planning Committee rejected this application but the owners have now lodged an appeal.

Appeal reference APP/A3655/A/13/2203626

PLAN/2013/0193 22A High Street

Proposed demolition of existing outbuilding and replacement with a detached 3 bedroom dwelling.

This is the site at the rear of the take-away and the old library.

The application was rejected by the Planning Officer, delegated responsibility, however the owners have appealed the decision and we must await the decision of a Planning Inspector.

Architects on behalf of the developer has pointed out to the Planning Inspector, in their final comments, that the Local Council did not refer to any parking or highways issues in the notice of rejection of the original application. Unfortunately that is a true statement, yet another example of the County’s Highway Authority ignore the actual facts on parking in Knaphill.

Appeal reference APP/A3655/A/13/2199725

 

PLAN/2013/0991 Alpha hospital, Rose Lodge, Barton Close

Alterations to PLAN/2012/0700

 

This application is to take account of the fact that the original plans that were approved had the construction traffic entering the site via Barton Close where after representation it was changed to direct entry from Redding Way.

 

Brookwood Farm Development

The new road, Brookwood Farm Drive is now open and is the only vehicle access to Raynes Close.

 

Note This report does not attempt to cover all planning issues in Knaphill. If you have any questions or points on the above please feel free to contact the KRA.

Phil Stubbs

Community Infrastructure Levy modifications

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From Woking Borough Council –

Dear Sir/Madam

CIL Draft Charging Schedule Proposed Modifications and Submission

You will recall that the Council published its Community Infrastructure Levy – Draft Charging Schedule for consultation between 22 July and 30 August 2013.  Representations that were received have been taken into account and the Council is proposing modifications to the Draft Charging Schedule.  This will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for Examination.  A copy of the proposed Statement of Modifications is attached for your information.  It can also be accessed via the following link: http://www.woking2027.info/infrastructure/cilproposedchanges

The Council is intending to submit the Draft Charging Schedule and its supporting evidence by early 2014.  If you wish to appear at the Examination as a result of the proposed modifications, a request must be submitted to the Council by Friday 17 January 2014.  Requests to be heard at the Examination should be submitted to:  The Planning Policy Team, Woking Borough Council, Civic Offices, Gloucester Square, Woking, GU21 6YL or by e-mail: planning.policy@woking.gov.uk.

A copy of the Draft Charging Schedule and the supporting evidence are on the Council’s website (www.woking.gov.uk).  If you have any queries about the Draft Charging Schedule, please contact the Planning Policy Team on 01483 743871.

Affordable Housing Interim Guidance

The Council is also preparing an Affordable Housing Delivery supplementary planning document (SPD).  This will provide detailed information regarding the implementation and delivery of Policy CS12 Affordable Housing of the Core Strategy.  Public consultation will take place on the draft SPD next year; we will notify you when this consultation begins.

The Council has recently adopted informal guidance to assist developers in the interim period, until the Affordable Housing Delivery SPD is adopted.  The interim guidance explains how the Council calculates affordable housing developer financial contributions.  It also clarifies when affordable housing planning policy applies, the planning process, how the Council considers viability issues, how it defines previously developed land and greenfield land when considering development proposed on garden land, and provides details of Registered Providers for affordable housing and other useful contacts.  You can access the guidance via this link: http://www.woking2027.info/supplementary/wwwwoking2027infoaffordablehousingdeliveryspd

For further information, please contact the Planning Policy Team on 01483 743871 or email planning.policy@woking.gov.uk

Yours sincerely,

Ernest Amoako

Planning Policy Manager

Planning update 27/11/13

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New planning decisions

Woking Borough Council’s Planning Committee reject the planning application to build four houses on land between Highclere Road and Lane End Drive. The address of the current bungalow on this land is given as 41 Highclere Road. The Planning Committee rejected a proposal to add poor access to the reasons for rejection. (PLAN/2013/0632)

A Planning Officer, under delegated powers, has rejected a planning application to build a large house in the rear garden of Wendover on Bagshot Road. Entrance to the proposed property was to be in Ivydene. (PLAN/2013/0778)

A Planning Officer, under delegated powers has granted the prior approval required by the owners of Highclere House, 5 High Street to convert the office block into 8 flats. (PLAN/2013/0974)

New planning applications

PLAN/2013/1121, 1122, 1123, 1124 & 1125
Tesco’s, 15 High Street, Knaphill

A group of new planning applications have been submitted in connection with the new Tesco’s that is being built at 15 High Street, formerly Cliftons.

The planning applications deal with a request to change the agreed shop front to include a number of the standard Tesco glazed shot front pictures, the installation of an ATM, the installation of 2 condensers on the roof, installation of 6 bollards in front of ATM and shop front, consent for the installation of two internally illuminated signs and internally illuminated project sign.

The majority of the above were to be expected, i.e. to make the shop look like Tesco’s but one would question the need for an ATM as there is an ATM in the petrol station that is just in front of the new shop. With reference to the plant that Tesco’s want to place on the roof the KRA are still evaluating the noise report that is published with the planning request.

AMEND/2013/0068
Tesco’s, 15 High Street, Knaphill

This application is to confirm the shop opening times. These times were secured by the developer before Tesco’s name was added and although the Planning Committee had not agreed with the times the developer gained permission from a Planning Inspector on appeal.

The shop will be open from 07.00 to 22.00 Monday to Saturday inc. and 08.00 to 22.00 Sunday’s and Bank Holidays. Deliveries to the store are limited to 08.00 to 20.00 Monday to Saturday inc. with no deliveries on Sunday’s or Bank Holidays.

PLAN/2013/1018
Barnbrook Sinclair, 1 & 3 High Street, Knaphill

This is an application to gain outline planning permission to demolish the current building and build a four storey block of flats. There would be 10 flats four of which would be two bedroom flats but only 10 parking bays.

This building, as well as the old headquarters of Barnbrrok Sinclair, is also the home of the pet shop and PC repair shop both of which will lose their premises if planning permission is granted.

If you go to Memory Lane, local history on the KRA web site you will be able to read some of the history of this old beautiful building.

PLAN/2013/0940
16 – 39 Chequer Tree Close
An application for change of use of open amenity land to residential land for the benefit of the residents.

Outstanding planning applications

PLAN/2013/0856
New primary school on land at Brookwood Farm, Coresbrook Way, Knaphill
This application contains more details of the actual building and the landscaping around the school. The new school, which will be linked to Brookwood School, will accommodate 8 key stage two classes, (240 pupils). One of the main concerns remains the impact the new school will have on the traffic on the A322, Bagshot Road. The new building will be behind the Telephone Exchange.
Comment: Seven local residents have commented on this application and their main concern is flooding. This area is subject to flooding and residents are concerned that the new building will have a significant impact on the natural flow of water.

PLAN/2013/0864
New footpath and canal bridge.
To link the new school building to the school on Connaught Road Surrey County Council plan for a new bridge to cross the canal, at the rear of the Connaught Road school, to a footpath that will go across the Country Park to the new school building on Brookwood Farm.
Comment: This application has raised a number of concerns from local residents and to date 17 residents have submitted letters to the Council. Natural England has also submitted an objection on the grounds that there is insufficient information to determine if the application is likely to damage the interests for which Basingstoke Canal has been notified.

PLAN/2013/0202
Variation of condition 6 to PLAN/1985/0686, Total (now ESSO) petrol station, 23 High Street.
Currently the petrol station and associated shop have opening hours of 07.00 to 23.00 hrs. The application was to be allowed to open from 06.00 to midnight.
In July the Planning Committee rejected this application but the owners have now lodged an appeal.
Appeal reference APP/A3655/A/13/2203626

PLAN/2013/0193
Proposed demolition of existing outbuilding and replacement with a detached 3 bedroom dwelling.
22A High Street, Knaphill
This is the site at the rear of the take-away and the old library.
The application was rejected by the Planning Officer, delegated responsibility, however the owners have appealed the decision and we must await the decision of a Planning Inspector.
Architects on behalf of the developer has pointed out to the Planning Inspector, in their final comments, that the Local Council did not refer to any parking or highways issues in the notice of rejection of the original application. Unfortunately that is a true statement, yet another example of the County’s Highway Authority ignore the actual facts on parking in Knaphill.
Appeal reference APP/A3655/A/13/2199725

PLAN/2013/0756
Change of use from A1/A2 (retail or office) to A3 restaurant and café and A5 hot food takeaway including internal alterations and installation of new filtered extract system.
8, Anchor Crescent, Knaphill
These are the premises last used by Garrett, solicitors.
Do we need another food outlet?
The KRA has submitted a letter of objection.

PLAN/2013/1094
Proposed extensions and alterations to existing bungalow to include raising of the ridgeline to accommodate the creation of additional storey at first floor level plus the erection of front porch canopy.
38 Lane End Drive

PLAN/2013/0991
Alterations to PLAN/2012/0700
ALPHA hospital, Rose Lodge, Barton Close

This application is to take account of the fact that the original plans that were approved had the construction traffic entering the site via Barton Close where after representation it was changed to direct entry from Redding Way.

Brookwood Farm Development
Work is progressing on changing the junction of the Bagshot Road and Redding Way from a T junction into a full crossroads. New entrance road to be called Brookwood Farm Drive.

Fox Inn, Guildford Road, Bisley
Although this is outside Knaphill I thought you may like to know that Surrey Heath Council has given developers permission to knock down the old inn and build a 62 bedroom care home. If you want more details please go to the Surrey Heath web site. The reference number for this development is 13/0046.

The Meadows, Bagshot Road, Knaphill
The former hospital building has now closed and the premises are on the market to be sold by auction. The building is described as a 24 bed care home built in 1966 and it is for sale as existing use or residential development subject to planning approval.

Note
This report does not attempt to cover all planning issues in Knaphill. If you have any questions or points on the above please feel free to contact the KRA.

Phil Stubbs
27/11

Sainsbury’s get their way again

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As many people will know the extended Sainsbury’s in Redding Way reopened on 6 November. Anyone who has been following the debate with regards the planning applications for this extension will know that the Residents’ Association has been assisting residents who live in close proximity to the store to get an improvement in their life style by both the store and Woking Borough Council recognising that there is an issue over noise pollution and that planning conditions on noise are complied with.

At the Planning Committee held on 5 November the last application in connection with the extension was on the agenda for consideration. This application was of a technical nature to meet planning conditions that were part of the original planning decision. The condition was basically a requirement for the developer to provide to WBC, prior to any new plant becoming operable, a detailed noise report and approved by the Local Planning Authority. These conditions were initially dealt with earlier in the year but Sainsbury’s were required to resubmit plans has they had made significant changes to the plans to those agreed to earlier.

To say that notification by Sainsbury’s is very late given that the new store was to become operative from 6 November is an understatement and as those who have followed this stores history will know that Sainsbury’s has a history of breaching planning conditions connected to noise pollution at the store in Redding Way.

Cllr Richard Sharp put forward the argument on behalf of the residents and sought a deferment on a decision until all the data connected with the new plant was available in a format understood by the layperson. The Council brought their environmental consultants to the meeting to answer any technical question. On behalf of the residents the KRA would like to thank Cllr. Sharp for the time he has taken to take on board the complex technical issues and present them to the Planning Committee in a way that was easily understood.

The final stages of this process has been rushed and the consultants acting for WBC admitted that they had yet to receive all the data from the measurement of noise produced from the new plant.

In seeking a deferment Cllr Sharp stated that this would give the developer and the Council’s consultant’s additional time to carry out more monitoring and monitor the equipment once the store was fully operative. Head of Planning argued against a deferment stating that they could not really monitor the condition until the condition had been approved. Cllr Sharp put his motion to the vote and the result was split 5 votes for and 5 votes. Although Cllr Smith, the Planning Committee chairman, had voted against a deferment he had the casting vote and therefore the motion was lost and the conditions were approved.

Outside the debate at the Planning Committee a planning application from Sainsbury’s to include dentistry within the store had been fast tracked by WBC and approved by delegated authority.
We are given to understand that there will be on-going monitoring of the noise generated by the store but at this point in time we do not have any details of how this monitoring will be carried out and over what period of time. We will continue to monitor the situation.

Residents in Guildford and Woking warned about bank related fraudster scams

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Surrey Police is warning residents, particularly in Guildford and Woking, to remain vigilant following a recent spate of scams involving fraudsters obtaining bank details, cards and cash using bogus telephone calls and couriers.
In the last 24 hours police have received reports of ten similar attempts to access bank cards and money, with reported offences in Guildford, Woking, Pyrford, Burpham and Chobham.
In each case the victims have reported receiving telephone calls from someone claiming to be a police officer and attempting to convince them to hand over large amounts of cash and bank cards.
The offenders often claim to be an officer from the Metropolitan Police and use a variety of pretences that include saying the victim’s bank card has been used by somebody that they have in custody. They then ask the victim to phone the bank to cancel the card and tell the victims that they will send a courier round to collect the card.
Meanwhile the fraudster stays on the line and obtains the victim’s bank details whilst they think they are phoning the bank. The courier then calls at the victim’s address saying they have been sent by the police to collect a parcel – the envelope containing the card.
Three incidents of this scam were all reported shortly after 9pm tonight (Saturday, 5 October) one took place at an address off the B367 Upshot Lane in Woking, another at address in Frog Grove Lane in Wood Street Village and a third offence in Burnet Avenue in Burpham.
Fortunately in the three most recent cases no money or cards were taken from the victims who were suspicious of the call and contacted Surrey Police.
Police are also appealing for details of a man who attended an address off Boltons Lane in Pyrford at around 5.30pm today claiming to be a courier who had been sent to collect a parcel containing bank cards from an elderly victim. Fortunately the victim refused to hand over his cards and the man left empty-handed.
The man is described as white, around 40-years-old, 5ft 8ins or 5ft 9ins tall, spoke with an eastern European accent, stocky build, short dark hair and was wearing a dark jacket and dark trousers.
Neighbourhood officers are warning residents that these requests are not genuine and that no police officer or bank would operate in this manner and would never request a customer to confirm their PIN details over the phone. Anyone who receives a suspicious call, either on the phone or in person, is urged to not give any details to the caller and report the matter to the police.
Any courier companies or taxis that may have been asked to pick up such packages are also being urged to call Surrey Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Knaphill Planning Update – 1 October 2013

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News

Surrey County Council submitted detailed plans for the new school on Brookwood Farm and the associated new bridge to cross the Basingstoke Canal. (PLAN/2013/0856 and PLAN/2013 /0864)

 

COND/2013/0070

Discharge of conditions 18 and 25 of PLAN/2011/0160

Sainsbury’s Redding Way, Knaphill

We have received a notification letter from WBC with reference to Sainsbury’s plans to discharge planning conditions 18 and 25 these conditions have to do with extractor fans and other technical issues. In the letter from Sainsbury’s agents there is a request for additional plant equipment and this includes equipment required in conjunction with the proposed dentistry concession unit. This is of interest because when Sainsbury’s were given planning permission for their extension the Council included planning condition 9. This reads;

No part of the total floor space of the store shall be used for separate concessions including key cuttings/shoe repair, hairdressers, banking, photo developing studios, opticians, dry cleaners or any other concession, with the exception of ‘Explore and Learn’ unless where otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

PLAN/2013/0856

New primary school on land at Brookwood Farm, Coresbrook Way, Knaphill

When plans to build 297 new dwellings on Brookwood Farm Surrey County Council also received outline planning permission for a new school. This application contains more details of the actual building and the landscaping around the school. The new school, which will be linked to Brookwood School, will accommodate 8 key stage two classes, (240 pupils). One of the main concerns remains the impact the new school will have on the traffic on the A322, Bagshot Road. The new building will be behind the Telephone Exchange.

PLAN/2013/0864

New footpath and canal bridge.

To link the new school building to the school on Connaught Road Surrey County Council plan for a new bridge to cross the canal, at the rear of the Connaught Road school, to a footpath that will go across the Country Park to the new school building on Brookwood Farm.

 

PLAN/2013/0775

Demolition of a former library building and redevelopment with 9 residential units comprising of

3 X 2B3P flats and 6 X 1B2P flats and memorial garden. 20 High Street, Knaphill

Since the initial plans were published there has been a change. The building has been increased in size to accommodate a 3 bedroom flat suitable for 5 people. This change reduces the number of 1 bedroom flats from 6 to 5. More detail on this proposed building can be found elsewhere on the KRA web site. Two key points, there is no dedicated parking and the private amenity space at the rear of the proposed building does not meet the Council’s own guidelines.

The KRA has submitted a letter of objection.

PLAN/2013/0974

Convert a block of offices into 8 one bedroom flats

Highclare House, 5 High Street, Knaphill

A planning application has been submitted to convert Highclare House from offices into flats, this is the building next to Head Hunters, the hairdressers.  At the time of writing this report no details of the proposed conversion had been made available.

PLAN/2013/0202

Variation of condition 6 to PLAN/1985/0686, Total (now ESSO) petrol station, 23 High Street.

Currently the petrol station and associated shop have opening hours of 07.00 to 23.00 hrs. The application was to be allowed to open from 06.00 to midnight.

In July the Planning Committee rejected this application but the owners have now lodged an appeal.

Appeal reference APP/A3655/A/13/2203626

PLAN/2013/0193

Proposed demolition of existing outbuilding and replacement with a detached 3 bedroom dwelling.

22A High Street, Knaphill

This is the site at the rear of the take-away and the old library.

The application was rejected by the Planning Officer, delegated responsibility, however the owners have appealed the decision and we must await the decision of a Planning Inspector.

Architects on behalf of the developer has pointed out to the Planning Inspector, in their final comments, that  the Local Council did not refer to any parking or highways issues in the notice of rejection of the original application. Unfortunately that is a true statement, yet another example of the County’s Highway Authority ignore the actual facts on parking in Knaphill.

Appeal reference APP/A3655/A/13/2199725

PLAN/2013/0350

Erection of a two bedroom detached dwelling in the grounds of 48 Lower Guildford Road.

Pending a decision.

PLAN/2013/0453

Retrospective application for 2 fascia signs on the southern elevation of site.

This refers to the new signage especially those on the wall of the shop facing the High Street. The main objection is to the large banner advertising the fact that they shop is open late for the sale of beer and wine.

The application has been approved.

PLAN/2013/0632

Demolition of existing dwelling and outbuildings and erection of 4, 4 bedroom houses with garages, access, parking, bin storage, landscaping.

41 Highclere Road

The address 41 Highclere Road is misleading. The current bungalow that the developer wants to demolish cannot be seen from Highclere Road. All you see from Highclere Road is the long drive. The developer wants the access to the proposed 4 new houses to be from Lane End Drive.

This application has generated a lot of interest and the KRA has submitted a detailed objection.

The application is still under consideration by the Planning Office and Cllr. Saj Hussain has written to the Planning Manager asking for this application to be presented to the Planning Committee.

PLAN/2013/0756

Change of use from A1/A2 (retail or office) to A3 restaurant and café and A5 hot food takeaway including internal alterations and installation of new filtered extract system.

8, Anchor Crescent, Knaphill

These are the premises last used by Garrett, solicitors.

Do we need another food outlet?

The KRA has submitted a letter of objection.

 

If you have any questions or points on the above please feel free to contact the KRA.

Phil Stubbs

Development of old library site in the High Street, Knaphill

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In October last year Woking Borough Council announced that they had purchased the old library site from Surrey County Council and planned to develop the site for housing and a memorial garden. The announcement went on to add ‘Given its central location and the increasing need for suitable accommodation for elderly people, consideration will be given to providing elderly person accommodation in this location as it is close to local services’.  If consideration was given to building flats for the elderly it was quickly rejected.

The plan is to build a three storey block of flats to house one 3 bedroom flat suitable for 5 people, three 2 bedroom flats suitable for 3 people in each and five one bedroom flats suitable for two people.  From this information it is clear that four of the flats are designed for families.

To accommodate this number of flats, some of which have multiple bedrooms, the developer has designed a very large building. In fact it is as tall as the building currently being erected across from the old library on the former Cliftons site. The designer of this building uses the Cliftons building as a good example of higher density residential development that is suitable for the centre of Knaphill. The proposed density or number of dwellings on this amount of land is way beyond Woking’s own policy statement on residential development density.

The Council has not indicated that they made any attempt to purchase the waste land at the rear of the old library site which could have given these residents private parking and or private amenity space. Therefore given the size of the building there is no dedicated parking for these families. They are expected to use public transport or if they have a car park it in the public car park.

Finally as stated the larger flats appear to be designed for families and you could have up to 10 children living in these units. There is a small private garden area at the rear of the property but the developer actually states that this space fails to meet the planning guidance standards set by Woking Borough Council. So are the children expected to play in the public car park?

As Knaphill residents you are entitled to make your opinion known to the Council’s planners. Their email address is developmentcontrol@woking.gov.uk. It is important that if you do contact the Council you use the planning applications reference number PLAN/2013/0775.

Full details of the proposed building can be found on WBC’s web site under Planning, view an application. Again use the above reference number to gain access.

Please feel free to contact the KRA with any comments.

Not another take-away!

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Woking Borough Council has received and published a planning application from a London based company to convert the shop/office that sits on the corner of Anchor Crescent into a restaurant/café/take-away. These premises were last occupied by Mackrell Turner Garrett, solicitors. The planning application is a formal request to change the use of the premises from A1/A2 to A3/A5. A3 stands for restaurant/café and A5 stands for hot food take-away. The applicant has also requested permission to remain open until 11.00pm at night.

If you want to express a view on this planning application you can either register on the WBC Planning web site or send an e-mail to developmentcontrol@woking.gov.uk  If you do intend to write to WBC it is important that you quote the planning application reference number PLAN/2013/0756 and the property address 8, Anchor Crescent, Knaphill.

The KRA are planning to use this web site to give residents more information on planning applications and developments within the village, more to come.

Parking in Knaphill is it an issue?

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A report on on-street parking was presented at last month’s meeting of Surrey County Council’s Local Committee for Woking. The report contained SCC’s proposals for changes to on-street parking in and around Woking. The report states that the County Council’s parking team had carried out a review of on-street parking restrictions within the Borough and had identified changes which would benefit road safety and reduce instances of obstruction and localised congestion. The report goes on to state that the starting point of the study was an assessment of over 130 requests for parking restrictions from residents, councillors and emergency services! The report then breaks the whole of Woking down into specific areas and Knaphill, I assume, came under the heading Woking South West. I say assume because there was not a single mention of Knaphill. Does this mean that the County Council are completely happy with the level of parking on pavements, especially in the High Street, and with the congestion and accidents caused by cars and delivery vehicles parking outside the approved areas? I am pleased to report that the County Councillors who represent Brookwood and Knaphill rejected the section of the report covering our area. So if you have any views on street parking in Knaphill I suggest you contact linda.kemeny@surreycc.gov.uk or saj.hussain@surreycc.gov.uk.