Major planning applications have been submitted for two sites in Warlingham, both currently in the Green Belt and both allocated for housing in Tandridge District Council’s recently withdrawn Local Plan 2023.
The Parish Council’s Planning Committee has objected on the following main grounds:
Land North of Chelsham Road: 50 dwellings and a 72-bed care home.
• Inappropriate development in the Green Belt as this land is part of the buffer between Warlingham and Chelsham and prevents urban sprawl.
• Harm to the character of this semi-rural area, especially the monolithic care home and block of flats.
• Highway danger due to the creation of a busy new access on to a narrow, winding and hilly road.
• Inadequate drainage infrastructure and insufficient justification for a care home.
Park Lane, off Farleigh Road (also known as Farleigh Meadows): 45 dwellings• Inappropriate development in the Green Belt.
This is lovely countryside, part of the Crewes Valley (Area of Great Landscape Value) and it also prevents urban sprawl.
• Harm to the character of the area, with views into the site from all around and a well-used public footpath. The density, scale and layout conflicts with the local environment.
• Cramped and overcrowded development as most of the site would be covered by built form.
• Dangerous access on to the busy, winding Farleigh Road which is close to Warlingham Village Primary School.
• A history of flooding makes it unsuitable for development.
It was agreed that Councillor Simon Morrow would speak against the plans should they come to a future meeting of the Tandridge Planning Committee.