Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Lizzie Griffiths, Maddy Redpath, Cait Taylor and Dominique Williams.  Councillor Masuk Miah attended as a substitute for Dominique Williams and Councillor Jane Tyson attended as a substitute for Councillor Cait Taylor. 

In accordance with the local Code of Conduct, a councillor is required to disclose at the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) that they may have in respect of any matter for consideration on this agenda.  Any councillor with a DPI must not participate in any discussion or vote regarding that matter and they must also withdraw from the meeting immediately before consideration of the matter.

If that DPI has not been registered, you must notify the Monitoring Officer of the details of the DPI within 28 days of the date of the meeting.

Councillors are further invited to disclose any non-pecuniary interest which may be relevant to any matter on this agenda, in the interests of transparency, and to confirm that it will not affect their objectivity in relation to that matter.

There were no disclosures of interest declared.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman of the Committee.

The Committee noted the Chairperson’s announcements.

The Committee considered the above mentioned full application for the demolition and retention of existing buildings and erection of new buildings to provide extra care housing (Use Class C2) and associated ancillary accommodation and amenity space, public realm works, at-grade car parking (existing), plus restoration and upgrade works to Braboeuf Manor (ancillary accommodation and amenity space) and the refurbishment of Pound Cottage for use as a single dwelling (Use Class C3) (amended plans received and description changed on 31.07.24, additional plans updated 10^th September 2024). 

Prior to the consideration of the application, the following persons addressed the Committee in accordance with Public Speaking Procedure Rules 3(b):

·        Mr John Harrison (on behalf of St Catherine’s Village Association) (to object);

·        Mr Alistair Smith (The Guildford Society) (to object);

·        Mr Mark Curry (Applicant) and;

·        Mr James Ewen (Project Architect)

The Committee received a presentation from the Senior Planning Officer, Kate Little.  The Committee noted the supplementary late sheet, in which it was detailed that the revised NPPF had now been published and was a material consideration for all planning decisions.  It was also noted that since the agenda had been published, one objection had been withdrawn as it was considered that the amendments made since the initial submission of the application was sufficient to address the concerns raised. A further consultation response from St Catherine’s Village Association had also been received.

The application was for the comprehensive redevelopment of the site to provide 131 use class C2 apartments for people aged over 65 years.  The proposal would also involve the restoration of a grade II listed Manor House.  To the north of the site was the town centre and to the east was Portsmouth Road.  Ancient woodlands extended to the south within the site and was also close to Mount Browne Police HQ.

In terms of site constraints, the developed area of the site was inset from the Green Belt and the surrounding area was within the Green Belt.  The site was also within the Surrey Hills National Landscape, an Area of Great Landscape Value and St Catherine’s Conservation Area.  A public right of way passed through the site.

Until recently, the site was home to the University of Law and was therefore a brownfield site.  There were a large number of existing buildings onsite which were proposed to be demolished and replaced.  The proposed built form was located in similar positions to the existing buildings.  Blocks A and J were to be built on undeveloped land.  The applicant had worked collaboratively with the Council and therefore the original proposals had changed significantly since the application was first submitted.  A multi-storey car park was initially proposed but this has been removed in favour of the existing surface level car park.  As per the proposed landscape masterplan, changes to the landscape were quite minimal but improvements would be made.  The site was very green to the boundaries and the developed area was located in the centre of the site.  Access through the site  ...  view the full minutes text for item PL4

The Committee considered the Listed Building Consent application for works to Braboeuf Manor and curtilage listed buildings to facilitate their use as ancillary accommodation and amenity space for the extra care housing.  The curtilage listed buildings are: The Garden Cottage and attached workshops, Garage workshop, Summer House, ‘The Cow Shed’ and Pound Cottage (66 Sandy Lane).

The Committee received a presentation from the Senior Planning Officer, Kate Little.  The largest impact in relation to the Manor House was the proposal to remove the administration block.  There were some internal amendments to be made to part of the Manor House so to bring the building up to a modern standard.  With regard to the Gardener’s Cottage, the proposals were limited to allow for the building to be retained and repurposed to provide one two-bed C2 dwelling.  The walled garden which was an existing feature was ancillary listed.  The garage next to it was to be removed and to the rear of it there was a historic wall to be retained.  The ancillary listed building would be repurposed to provide a studio guest suite and the introduction of some windows to the roof.  The accommodation would be used by friends and family of residents which would be controlled via the S106.  The C3 dwelling onsite between Sandy Lane and Portsmouth Road would be refurbished.  The officer recommendation was to approve the application subject to conditions.      

The Committee discussed the application, and it was confirmed by the planning officer that the Council’s Conservation Officer was content with the proposed changes and improvements that would be made to existing features. 

The Chairperson, Councillor King moved the motion to approve application 23/P/01851 and Councillor Richard Mills seconded that motion which was carried.

In conclusion, having taken consideration of the representations received in relation to the application, the Committee;

RESOLVED to approve application 23/P/01851 subject to the conditions as detailed in the report.