See the links below for the ten applications for these five locations, each requiring an application for the installation and a second one for the advertising display – “Display of 1 x internally illuminated digital advertisement within a communications kiosk incorporating a defibrillator”.

2-6 Church Street Epsom KT17 4NY – Location, 24/01253/FUL and 24/01254/ADV .

Next to Epsom Gateway Ashley Avenue Epsom – Location , 24/01249/FUL and 24/01250/ADV.

Outside 17 High Street Epsom KT19 8DD – Location , 24/01251/FUL and 24/01252/ADV.

Outside Hudson House Station Approach Epsom – Location , 24/01247/FUL and 24/01248/ADV.

Outside 68 High Street Ewell KT17 1RL – Location , 24/01255/FUL and 24/01256/ADV.

These applications propose five identical advertising “kiosks” with a changing digital display, a telephone for public use and a defibrillator in various locations in Epsom Town Centre and Ewell village. This follows refusal by EEBC of two similar proposals in 2023, one of which was outside 2-6 Church Street.

The Society objected via a comment to the other earlier application on the grounds of street clutter and traffic safety (See our post here).

The Society has objected again on the grounds of:-

• – Contrary to Local Plan Policies
• – Design
• – Generation of Noise and Disruption
• – Impact on Character
• – Traffic/Parking Implications

The full text of the Society’s new objection, entered via the “Comments” facility on the EEBC planning website, is set out below, and has been copied to Town Ward Councillors seeking their support for the objection:-

“This representation is submitted on behalf of Epsom Civic Society. The comments also apply to the other Town Ward locations of 2-6 Church Street; Hudson House Station Approach; Epsom Gateway Ashley Avenue about which are similar current applications.

All the applications appear to be a repeat, perhaps in a slightly modified form, of those outside Mountain Warehouse and 2-6 Church Street which were submitted in 2023 and refused by EEBC.

The objections previously submitted by the Society remain.

There is a particular emphasis on net biodiversity gain with planning applications, these do not contribute to that. There is also an emphasis to reduce, not to add, street clutter, to which these applications, if granted, would add.

In this context it is particularly important to note that Epsom Town Centre Masterplan document has recently (Sept.2024) been approved to go forward as an evidence based submission being part of Reg.19 for the emerging Local Plan.

Within the Masterplan are proposals to re-vamp and enhance the High Street to give a more open and green feel and to remove unnecessary clutter.

The applications with its Digital Display illuminated moving advertisements are at odds with the Masterplan emphasis.

Refusal to all applications and the accompanying advertisement consent applications is requested.”