The Spelthorne Borough Council, Planning Committee met in the Council Chambers yesterday evening (11th February 2015) to determine the proposal for 140 flats and a 102 bedroom hotel on the site of the masonic hall and old Telephone Exchange.
The councils recommendation was for refusal and the item began with Paul Tomson, Principal Planning Officer, describing the proposal and its faults. He showed some good photos of what would be the dreary views from the flats, particularly lower floors looking straight out at the side of the Tothill car park.
Anne Damerell, Secretary of the Staines Town Society was called to speak (3 minute slot) against the proposals and she praised the Council officer’s report refusing for so many good reasons; called the development a monstrosity, totally out of scale and character with our town; assured the developers that the Council’s refusal would have wide support in the community; expressed mild regret that policy CO3 on public open space had been neglected yet again.
The Developer’s representative then had 3 minutes to hint that this would help save Green Belt elsewhere, say it was an adventurous new start, suggest that planners had not helped them. John Brooks, Head of Planning replied that planners had offered lots of advice but that the developers had not taken it.
Then open to debate by councillors. Cllr Frazer moved refusal – thanked Anne Damerell for coming and summarising the case, thanked The Staines Town Society for the comprehensive and eloquent letter, then spoke briefly against the application. Other cllrs similar. Caroline Spencer also praised our letter. Finally unanimous vote to refuse.
A big thank you goes to all those members and others, who also wrote to object and we welcome your support.
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