Click here to see map for location of 44 Christ Church Mount Epsom KT19 8NB

23/00457/FLH Demolition of the existing dwelling and associated outbuildings and the erection of 3 No. of new dwelling units (3 x three bedroom houses) with associated access and soft and hard landscaping

This is the second application for this site, the first, for two 2-bedroom “flats” (more accurately described as semi-detached houses) and three 3-bedroom detached houses, having been refused in November 2022 on the grounds of over-development, inappropriate to its setting as backland development and with materials and design unsympathetic to the prevailing street scene. The Society was among those who objected.

While the present application somewhat reduces the proposed density, the Society notes that several of the points noted within the Planner’s Report of the previous application have not been adequately addressed. First, the proposed development, as a result of its overall siting and scale, would represent a cramped overdevelopment that fails to respond to the pattern of development in the locality. Secondly, the proposed development as a result of its siting, scale and design and proximity to the shared boundaries would allow for overlooking into the garden areas of 38,42 and 46 Christ Church Mount and to the rear of Lower Hill Road.

In addition, Policy DM16 (Backland Development) of the Council’s LDF Development Management Policies Document (2015) states that there will be a presumption against the loss of rear domestic gardens due to the need to maintain local character, amenity space, green infrastructure and biodiversity. It is only in exceptional cases that modest development is acceptable. This is not the case in this proposal as 1) green infrastructure is not retained 2) privacy is not maintained nor light spillage 3) visual impact of access road 4) excessive mass and scale of development 5) trees, shrubs and wildlife habitat not retained. The proposed design, bulk and scale of the new dwellings do not reinforce local distinctiveness and would have a materially harmful impact on the wider area’s character and appearance. The material selection is completely alien to all dwellings in the area.

The Epsom Civic Society still objects to this proposal, as it is at odds with the ethos to incorporate principles of good design and respecting local character and local distinctiveness. Accordingly, refusal of the application is requested.

See our letter here.

See our previous letter regarding the earlier application here.