Council Refuses Proposal for Tower Blocks at Redhill Station

Published on: 25 Oct, 2024
Updated on: 25 Oct, 2024

Redhill residents outside Reigate & Banstead Borough Council opposing plans to build in the town centre. Image Jan Sharman

By Chris Caulfield

local democracy reporter

Plans to build the Redhill’s tallest ever high rise have been refused by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, a result that left residents cheering the “amazing” decision.

Network Rail, together with its development partners Kier, who are currently building high rise blocks at Guildford Station, had wanted to build the 255 flat, 15-storey and 14-storey blocks, as part of a £6 million refurbishment plan for the town’s train station.

They argued the project would transform Redhill Railway Station, which hadn’t had significant investment since the 1980s.

Instead councillors at the Planning Committee on Wednesday, October 23, sided with the near 2,000 objectors who said the huge housing scheme would change the character of Redhill forever – and set the unwanted precedent for more tall buildings to come.

Speaking after the decision, where councillors voted 11 to two with two abstentions to refuse the application, was Jan Sharman of the East Redhill Residents’ Association.

Residents were pleased to hear of the Planning Committee’s decision. Image Jan Sharman

She said: “Amazing, we’re so happy about it. It was an amazing result, it was a shock actually even though we knew we had a strong case for it to be turned down.

“It was too high, it was actually the highest building they would ever build in Redhill.”

The plans called for 255 one-and-two bedroom apartments but the committee heard the town was already over stocked in that department – and not a single one would have been made affordable.

Rather, the committee heard money would be ploughed into refurbishing Redhill station.

Jan said: “Some of the flats had no daylight. It would just have been making us into a mini Croydon and we’re not Croydon.”

She added: “We know something has to be done on that site, it’s a very important brownfield site but (the plan) was mediocre.

“It was turned down on density and height and lack of affordable housing.

A CGI of the proposed 15 and 14-storey tower blocks included in the proposal.

“The height was just astronomical and the community had to put a stop to it.”

The scheme had been recommended for approval but instead served to reawaken the East Redhill Residents’ Association, first formed about 30 years ago to twice fight off county plans for an incinerator.

The station plan rekindled the group, whose efforts helped generate others to take a stand.

The developers had hoped to create the homes across two buildings ranging from 10-15 storeys and seven to 14 storeys respectively.

Commuter parking would have fallen by 10 per cent had they been approved but the developers argued a similar sized scheme at the edge of the town would have a far greater impact on traffic and create thousands of extra car journeys.

Speaking in favour of the bid was Robin Dobson, from Network Rail.

He told the meeting the income from the 255 homes would result in a £6 million refurbishment of Redhill station – which has had no investment in more than 40 years.

Furthermore there was a take-it-or-leave it £2 million grant on offer from TfL (Transport for London) dependent on the plans getting a green light.

He said: “The scheme would transform the station and create a new neighbourhood, giving young people the opportunity to remain in the town where they grew up and want to continue to live.

“This application is the culmination of many years of hard work.

He added: “It supports the regeneration of the town centre and the gateway to Redhill. This is the main way we can deliver the scale of change and investment in the station, so important.

“Having a great station and landmark into the town should not be underestimated.

“We’ve seen it in Twickenham, in Guildford – very similar opportunities that we have delivered, and delivered business investment and local prosperity. The new station would be a source of pride.”

The proposal for the Solum development in Guildford was also rejected by the borough council, unanimously, but allowed on appeal.

Ultimately Reigate & Banstead councillors refused the Redhill station development by virtue of its height, density and layout, saying it would fail to make a positive contribution to the character and appearance the area and cause harm to the town’s conservation areas.

The public benefits, they said particularly in the absence of affordable housing, were not considered to outweigh this harm.