Click here to see map for location of 81 College Road, Epsom

24/01630/FUL Detached 1 1/2 storey, 2 bed family dwelling with landscaping and other associated works. (Use Class C3.)

The Society objected in May 2024 to the previous application for a second infill dwelling in the garden of 81 College Road, a substantial four-bedroom house adjacent to the College Road Conservation Area, and in October 2021 to an earlier one. Both applications were refused, but the applicant has now submitted a further proposal for a smaller and repositioned dwelling creating a reduced threat to the mature oak tree in the neighbouring property, the subject of a Tree Preservation Order.

However, the Society has written a third letter of objection since the proposal remains backland development causing significant harm to the existing property and the locality. Its development would create two properties with inappropriately small gardens, as well as adding a cramped new dwelling, barely suitable to be described as a “family dwelling”, in a very small plot.

The Society has also pointed out a potential technical invalidity in the application, as well as the continuing issue (not in itself a planning consideration) of creating a new crossover into (unadopted) Copse Edge Avenue to secure vehicular access to the proposed new property. Judging by the many adverse comments from Copse Edge Avenue residents, permission will not be forthcoming rendering the new dwelling impracticable.

ECS requested refusal of the application.

See our letter here.