Published: 25/10/2024
Redhill Station Site - Planning Consent RefusedPlanning permission for the controversial Redhill Station Site on Princess Way in Redhill, Surrey was refused at planning committee last night by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council.
The planning application was refused for the following grounds.
"The proposed development, by virtue of its height, scale, design and layout, would fail to make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the area and cause less than substantial harm to the Redstone Hill and Redhill Town Centre Conservation Areas, which are designated heritage assets. The public benefits of the scheme, in the absence of affordable housing provision, are not considered to outweigh this harm and therefore the proposal would be contrary to Policies DES1 and NHE9 of the Development Management Plan 2019 (reviewed 2024) and the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework 2023."
Planning Application 23/00572/F was originally submitted to Reigate & Banstead Borough Council in 2023 and was amended, leading to the current revised application. The planning application proved highly controversial with over 2,100 objections.
The planning application provided for a "Phased redevelopment of Site A comprising up to 255 residential dwellings (Class C3 Use) in two buildings ranging from 10-15 storeys and 7-14 storeys, associated car parking, cycle parking, flexible Class E uses at ground floor, demolition / refurbishment and extension to the existing Site A station entrance building with concourse. Demolition of vacant buildings associated with station on Site B. Replacement surface station car park and cycle parking and taxi drop off on Site B with a refurbished and extended Site B station entrance. Together with new public realm, hard and soft landscaping, improvements, new access and service arrangements, plant, substation and associated works across Site A and Site B. As amended on 12/07/2023, 10/11/2023 and 14/02/2024."
Solum, which is a joint venture vehicle between Keir Developments and Network Rail proposed to refurbish Redhill Train Station in return for planning consent to build two residential blocks of between 10-15 storeys and 7-14 storeys. The planning application proposed a total of 255 new residential apartments together with a range of commercial uses on ground floor and remodelled station entrance and car park.
By way of background to the current planning application, Solum have been seeking to redevelop Redhill Train Station for over 10 years. Early applications included a mixed-use residential / commercial scheme anchored by Waitrose. This proposal hit the buffers when Sainsburys secured planning permission opposite and Waitrose pulled the plug as Redhill could not support another food superstore. RAB Commercial Property were also representing Asda on another mixed-use scheme on Cromwell Road, which also never happened for the same reason.
During the course of 2023, Solum submitted various plans to Reigate & Banstead Borough Council for an even higher 280 residential development, which following consultation has been modified resulting in the current planning application submitted in March 2024.
Affordable housing is a hot topic in Redhill, where the majority local residents don't want more private apartments and an influx of more people putting a strain on already stretched services Local Redhill residents are demanding more affordable homes for local families at prices they can afford. Solum contend that the development will provide much needed housing to meet the Council’s need for an additional 460 new homes by 2027.The majority of public objections to the proposed development were on the following grounds.
- Inappropriate scale / density
- Poor design
- Visual eyesore
- Lack of affordable housing
- insufficient parking
- Lack of public services such as GP's, Dentists, Schools etc to support the development
- Congestion
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If you are thinking of appointing a commercial property agent to let or rent your commercial property and you're seeking some initial letting advice, then give us a call or send us an email for a free consultation.
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Contact Richard Braysher for more information or email richard.braysher@rabcommercial.com or call on 07788 274312.
For More Information Contact:
Richard A Braysher BSc MRICS
Managing Director
(m) 07788 274312
(t) 020 3751 2775
(e) richard.braysher@rabcommercial.com
www.rabcommercial.com
