Surrey Highways had objected to the original proposal for a pie and mash shop in Box Hill Road as the shop would have been unsuitable for customers’ cars Google

By Chris Caulfield

local democracy reporter

The iconic Surrey Hills will keep its classic English pie and mash shop after plans were approved for the takeaway in Box Hill.

Posha’s Pie and Mash Shop, in the rural Box Hill Road, Tadworth, was given the go-ahead at the second time of asking despite traffic officers again recommending its refusal.

Surrey Highways said in January said the shop should be refused permission over concerns about cars reversing onto the main road and the application was deferred to allow the owners to make the needed changes.

The new plan got rid of the of on-site parking but Surrey Highways was still unimpressed –  saying cars would now park in the nearby streets, clogging roads and pavements.

Councillors disagreed and thought the shop should be encouraged as it would bring trade to the areas as well as much-needed food options.

Cllr Paul Potter

Cllr Paul Potter (Lib Dem, Brockham, Betchworth, Buckland Box Hill and Headley) said the parking and traffic issues were overstated given the generally low levels of cars using Box Hill Road.

He said: “[The pie and mash shop]  is a vital part for a lot of people up there.

“For a lot of residents in the mobile homes, they walk there they don’t drive there are hundreds of mobile homes up there.

“It’s a vital thing for the community,”

Cllr Simon Budd

Cllr Simon Budd (Con, Brockham, Betchworth, Buckland Box Hill and Headley) added: “It’s a rural business in a rural area, that’s what this is.

“They’re trying something quite different from what you normally see and how good that is to see in a rural area on a rural road.

“How refreshing to see a car-free development. I cycle here and if more of us did we wouldn’t have this problem would we?

“It’s really great to see a business that’s going forward and making it car-free.”

The site has been used as a pie and mash takeaway with a seating area since August 2023.  The application was to formally change its use from the old dog grooming parlour.

The Wednesday, March 5 meeting of Mole Valley District Council’s heard from one speaker against the proposal.

She told the meeting Porsha’s advertised on social media which would draw in people from outside Box Hill.

She said: “Cars park up on the pavement outside our house which is the only pavement by the pie and mash.

“Indiscriminate parking narrows the road and interferes with the free flow of the traffic and prohibits pedestrians’ use of the pavement.

“We also have a lot of teenagers who do their Duke of Edinburgh awards and walk along where the cars are parked with two wheels on the pavement.

“It is dangerous.”

The plans were ultimately passed with the unanimous backing of the Planning Committee.