Agenda item

The demolition of existing buildings (2) and the erection of two any industrial processes (class e (g) (iii)), general industrial (use class b2) storage and/or distribution (use class b8) units with ancillary office accommodation, together with other associated parking, servicing landscape and infrastructure.

The Committee considered an application at Titan House, Crossoak Lane, Salfords for the demolition of existing buildings (2) and the erection of two any industrial processes (class e (g) (iii)), general industrial (use class b2) storage and/or distribution (use class b8) units with ancillary office accommodation, together with other associated parking, servicing landscape and infrastructure.

Jim Blackmore, Vice-Chair at Salfords and Sidlow Parish Council, spoke in objection to the application stating that the Parish Council had met with the developers however they were unable to concur on matters. Their main concerns were the impact on residents in Empire Villas and traffic. The site was on the border of Horley and Salfords and Sidlow and both councils had objected to this proposal.  The site was allocated for business use however they questioned the scale of development and whether it was needed or appropriate considering the recently developed North Gatwick Gateway site which was situated opposite. The scale of the development was not in keeping with the area. Residents in Empire Villas would be affected by the size and scale of the development, notably their severe reduction in light compared to the existing site layout and it was felt that these residents would suffer a serious detrimental impact. Traffic was currently over capacity at the A23/Cross Oak Lane junction and the lanes to the east of the site, the NPPF was quoted. When the already permitted Westvale Park housing was to be completed this would exacerbate the situation.  The type of traffic using this site would be more HGV based.  The impact on the road network would be severe and the following condition was suggested should the Committee approve the application. “To require regulation of site traffic being prevented from using the access routes through The Acres and Langshott developments and the country lanes in the wider Salfords and Sidlow area.”

Paul Shuker, the Agent, spoke in support of the application, stating the applicant has worked collaboratively with key officers, statutory consultees, and local residents. The project would deliver a sustainable economic led repurposing of an existing allocated site and would continue and retain an economic base at this allocation. The applicant fully endorses the case officer’s report and its conclusions in that it fully satisfies the principal planning policies in the local plan and the NPPF.  The continued concerns were acknowledged, however they had been addressed through redesign and re-consultations. These have all been validated independently by statutory consultees and technical experts in their respected fields. The issue of sunlight and daylight had also been considered. Current proposals had been reduced by 10% from that originally submitted, despite the larger scheme still satisfying BRE guidance. The proposals have been benchmarked against other employment schemes in the defined employment area and were found to be consistent in scale, character and setting. The negligible amenity impact is further reduced by the retention of existing green infrastructure around the perimeter of site. The design sought to retain existing embedded bio-diversity. At the same time this green infrastructure retains the local character of Bonehurst Road. Surrey County Council independently reviewed the evidence and found the scheme to be acceptable on highway policy grounds. The proposal fully satisfied Policy TAP1 of the Local Plan. The economic benefits to the borough were outlined.

Following a vote, it was RESOLVED that the application be deferred to the next meeting of the Committee so that reasons for refusal can be considered.