Developers Announcement of New Houses for East Horsley Labelled ‘Premature’

Published on: 29 Jun, 2022
Updated on: 30 Jun, 2022

A plan view of the proposed development in East Horsley as shown on the Taylor Wimpey website

By Martin Giles

A proposed new housing development for over 100 homes in East Horsley would be named Ada Gardens, a name inspired by Ada, Countess of Lovelace, regarded as one of the first computer programmers and who lived at Ockham Park House in the 19th century.

But the announcement made in a press release issued by Taylor Wimpey has been labelled a “premature” “PR exercise” by local councillor Catherine Young (GGG, Clandon & Horsley) and objections to the proposal have been raised by East and West Horsley Parish Councils.

Taylor Wimpey say the proposed development will provide 110 new high-quality homes to the local community.

According to the press release: “Ada Gardens will offer two, three, four and five-bedroom houses as well as one and two-bedroom apartments, ideal for families and those stepping onto the property ladder.

“Along with the new homes, it will also provide five self-build plots, space for a local business on site, play areas for families to enjoy and new habitats for wildlife, including wetland features, wildflower meadows and green links permeating through the development.”

Adam Lelliott, Land and Planning Director at Taylor Wimpey South Thames, said: “We have worked closely with local residents, the council and other key stakeholders to develop plans for this exciting new community. The site benefits from outline planning permission and we hope to have reserved matters approval in the summer.”

Cllr Catherine Young

Responding to the press release, Cllr Young said: “I find this PR exercise from Taylor Wimpey a little premature, although the sentiment behind the suggested name of the site is appreciated.

“They may have ‘outline’ permission but there remains much to be done in my view to ensure that the detailed matters actually respond to the concerns and suggestions raised by those with whom they have consulted.

“It is my understanding that objections raised by both East and West Horsley Parish Councils, together with detailed objections from West Horsley Place and a significant number of residents who live next to the site, have yet to be addressed.

“The key issues remain with regard to extensive flooding on, and adjacent, to the site (part of the site is in Flood Zone 3 and 80 per cent of the site is underwater for up to six months of the year), the density which is double that locally, the impact on the bordering Ancient Woodland (an irreplaceable habitat), and the lack of biodiversity measures to replace the existing wildlife corridor that runs across the site.

“Of particular concern to me, given that Taylor Wimpey are one of the largest and deemed ‘responsible’ housebuilders, is the lack of consideration to address and mitigate against climate change. I personally have raised this with them on a number of occasions and their response has been, ‘We only have to deliver what your policy requires, and what we are conditioned to deliver at the outline stage,’ a somewhat narrow-minded response, in my view.

“Time is moving on and building regulations have changed – let’s hope they will have a rethink.”