Borough Council Approves Change of Use for Office Building to Allow Charitable Mental Health Facility

Published on: 31 Jan, 2025
Updated on: 4 Feb, 2025

1b Jenner Road

By Emily Dalton

local democracy reporter

Plans that would see mental health services being run from an office building in a Guildford residential area have been approved despite concerns over “unacceptable” noise.

Some neighbours objected to the application in fear there would be disturbance from people in “emotional” or mental distress.

Oakleaf Enterprise, a mental health charity based in Guildford, offers services designed to meet community needs and help people manage their mental health. After its former home became dilapidated, the charity found Turret House, on Jenner Road, a modern premise to operate from.

Clive Stone, chief executive of Oakleaf, said: “Since Covid we’ve seen a sharp rise in people needing our help – these people are just like you and me. Individuals who simply need just a little extra support to maintain an otherwise normal life, while coping with challenges such as anxiety, loneliness and lack of confidence.”

The building sits on the corner of Jenner Road and Epsom Road, near the Upper High Street in Guildford. The application proposed changing the restrictions that require the building be used only as an office, to allow for broader and more flexible usage including counselling services. The majority of the office space (around 72 per cent) will remain in its current usage of providing employment opportunities.

Members of Guildford Borough Council’s Planning Committee voted overwhelmingly in favour of the application on January 29. Officers and councillors agreed the public benefits of improved mental health services “outweighed” the partial loss of office space.

Planning documents read: “The wellbeing partnership is operating in partnership with the NHS and will operate between 6pm-11pm as a county-wide funded support service for people experiencing mental health crisis or emotional distress on a 1-2-1 basis.” On an average evening, the report said, two or three clients would attend with very few staying until 11pm.

But more than 30 objections were sent to the council, opposing the plans on the grounds of noise, privacy, traffic concerns and incompatibility with residential character of the area.

“It is disappointing that some of the objections raised against our planning application appear insular and in some cases reflect unfounded fears of people living with mental ill health,” Mr Stone told the committee. “Such attitudes do a disservice to the community and the compassion we work to foster.”

Operating hours were the main concern for residents, of which most were reportedly families and elderly residents in a calm part of town. Objectors said they “would like to go to bed in peace by 9pm”.

“This is where we live,” said neighbours, opposing the plans for a mental health support service near them. They stressed the office hours were fine but “visiting members of the public” until 11pm was “unacceptable”. One person said: “The elderly are vulnerable too and we must balance the rights against these potential service users.”

Some residents commenting on the application were significantly concerned the charity service offered support on a non-appointment basis, welcoming clients experiencing mental health crises or emotional distress until 11pm, 365 days a year. One person said: “The unpredictable nature of the clientele’s behaviour could potentially disrupt the peaceful environment of Jenner Road, affecting the sense of security among residents.”

Concerns were also raised over a potential loss of privacy as clients visiting Oakleaf in the evening may overlook the adjacent windows and lit rooms in the evenings. Other residents said they worried about people “hanging around” the streets late at night.

With the area also including nearby restaurants and estate agents, councillors said the area is not “conventionally” residential and so considered the residents’ arguments as “falling by the wayside”.

Cllr Richard Mills

Cllr Richard Mills (Con, Castle) said there are two other mental health facilities in the area for “disturbed” clients, but the Oakleaf will support people with “temporary depressive illnesses” and so is unlikely to cause a nuisance in the area.

Addressing residents’ remarks, the applicant promised smoking on site would be prohibited, only staff would be allowed to use the car park, clients would not access or leave the building by the car park and the courtyard would not be used after 8pm. Parking was also raised as a concern, so officers conditioned the applicant to create a travel plan.

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