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Skilton's Yard - Planning Application Independent Assessment Report Skilton's Yard is an important historical building in its own right and in the setting of Cobham's most important Conservation Area. There has been sustained community interest in the proposed development of this site through each of the planning applications raised over the last 18 months to ensure the right development proceeds in the better interests of Cobham. Whilst we do not like seeing this site turned into a residential development we recognise that this is the only realistic option if the developers are to recoup their costs and thus reluctantly accept this as the only viable option at this stage. However this puts an added onus on the developers to ensure that the development does not destroy the amenity of neighbouring properties and fits in well with the street scene and with the pivotal position it occupies within the conservation area. There is no doubt that significant improvements have been made in the latest application but we have continued to struggle with a number of aspects mentioned above. We have had a number of meetings with the developers and whilst the gulf between us is narrower than previously we have still struggled. Such is our concern we have for the first time since our inception employed an independent conservation specialist to provide an independent report on this application at our own cost. He carried out his work and interviews unimpeded by us. The report has been sent to the Elmbridge Planning department and the Developers. It is also available from this website as an Adobe PDF file by clicking here The report demonstrates a significant number of breaches of the Elmbridge Local Plan (HEN8, HEN11) and breaches of British Standards 7913 that force us to register our objection to this latest application. The grounds for objecting are as set out in this comprehensive report. Regretfully, we believe that there are too many serious inadequacies with this scheme but you will see from towards the end of the report that our consultant makes suggestions as to the way forward. We hope his advice will be taken on board by the developers so that genuine local concerns of the community can be addressed and this fine site removed from the "at danger" predicament it currently finds itself in. Andi McCann
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