75 Fairmile Lane
Planning Application Ref:
2007/1497 & 0531

Public Enquiry

Despite the pressures on the government to re-designate gardens from being considered brownfield sites so as to reduce 'garden grabbing', and government’s assurances that councils already have the necessary powers to prevent this, such cases are still having to be 'fought'.

One such case is that concerning land at 75 Fairmile Lane, Cobham, Surrey (behind 77 Fairmile Lane and backing on to 4,6 and 8 Oxshott Rise on the Oxshott Way Estate), where the owner/developer, Beaufield Homes Limited plans to replace one 3,500 sq ft house with 5 houses of approx 4,500 sq ft each. The Council’s refusal of such a 'cramped and contrived' scheme at a meeting in August 2007 drew a large crowd of local residents and this was well reported locally by Cobham News & Mail. Such a high level of local interest led to the developer’s appeal being dealt with by a Public Inquiry. This first met on 22 April 2008 but with a 2nd day planned for Thursday 22 May 2008.

At 10am on Thursday 22 May 2008 the developer will be asked to present their evidence and be cross-examined. Bearing in mind they have had a further month in which to consider the detailed evidence produced by EBC and the residents.

Please consider attending the enquiry and supporting your neighbours and your Council on Thursday 22nd May. It is scheduled for 10.00am in the Council offices in Esher – with a site visit to follow. It should be interesting.

Some of the issues identified by the local residents are:-

1. Developer trying to dictate policy to a democratically elected council that already meets its government housing targets.
2. Inappropriateness to area of 30ft rear gardens.
3. Residents survey of traffic and access to public transport.
4. Inadequate bat survey.
5. Treatment of newts in pond on plot and evidence for protected greater crested newts.
6. Need for extended reptile survey.
7. Disputes regarding boundaries.
8. Developer felling mature and important cedar trees down at beginning.
9. Loss of 'green' and wildlife to 'hard surface' access road, driveways and patios.

May 2008

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