Controversial homes on golf course site approved

Controversial plans for more than 200 homes to be built on a golf course in Surrey have been approved, despite the submission of 800 objections.

Elmbridge Borough Council's planning committee approved developer Claudel Venture Holdings Ltd's plans for the 43-hectare (106.3 acre) site at Hersham Golf Club.

The former 18-hole golf course, off Assher Road, is to be transformed into 57 houses and 164 apartments with 246 parking spaces.

The objections, of which some came from the same address, raised concerns about the loss of countryside views.

Half of the homes will be affordable, including social and affordable rent, as well as shared ownership.

The plans also include a GP surgery, cafe, play areas and a natural green space in the form of a country park.

A spokesperson for the applicant said: "The planning inspector concluded that the need for affordable housing is acute and ever-worsening and exceeds the council's assessment that 296 affordable homes need to be built annually."

Debates about the proposal centred on whether the golf club was previously developed grey belt land or not, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

John O'Reilly, Conservative Hersham councillor for Surrey County Council, said: "It is probably the first major application where the green belt will be so compromised."

However, planning officers found the scheme would not undermine the openness of Surrey's green belt.

Michel Phillips, a resident speaking against the scheme, called it a "fallacy".

He told the committee: "There is no policy for Elmbridge to slice and dice the greenbelt to please development objectives."

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