Spelthorne Council leader opposes Kempton Park plans
A councillor for Sunbury has written a strongly-worded letter to Redrow Homes, stating that a planning application for Kempton Park, Sunbury, would be in "blatant contradiction" to Spelthorne Borough Council's policies and the council has no intention of working with the housebuilder on a new Local Plan. At an information day at the racecourse on April 23, the campaign group opposed to the development questioned the number of homes presented by Redrow and speculated that Redrow would appeal the council's decision if an application was submitted in future.

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The leader of Spelthorne Borough Council has penned a strongly worded letter calling on a developer to ‘desist from unwanted desecration of desperately needed green belt space’.

The correspondence from Cllr Ian Harvey stated his ‘clear opposition’ to any development on land at Kempton Park in Sunbury, which is being eyed up by Redrow Homes as housing.

Although no planning application has been submitted for a scheme at the Sunbury site, the developer has stated it would work alongside the council as it prepares a new local plan over the next few years.

The local plan, which could take four years to complete, will outline housing and amenity needs in the borough.

'Blatant contradiction'

But in the letter, Cllr Harvey, a councillor for Sunbury East ward, addressed the plan for a rumoured ‘1,500 houses’ adding it would be in ‘blatant contradiction’ to the council’s policies.

“Why do you believe you can promote your proposals in this manner?,” he wrote.

“Presumably, you believe your plans outweigh our policies.

"Spelthorne residents should rest assured that the Conservative councillors will apply these policies clearly and unambiguously."

The letter adds: “Despite very mischievous PR, Spelthorne Borough Council also has no intention of ‘working alongside’ Redrow Homes or any other private company on a new Local Plan. You may offer your views, as may any member of the public.

“But, to be clear, the Local Plan proposals will be for the elected councillors of Spelthorne Borough Council to decide.”

Residents were asked to submit their views to Redrow following an information day at the racecourse on Saturday, April 23.

Consultation boards displayed at the information event, which included information about the local plan, the borough’s need for housing and benefits a new development could deliver, added: “Green belt land is protected from inappropriate development, but green belt boundaries can be altered through the Local Plan review process in response to local development needs.”

Alan Doyle, chairman of Keep Kempton Park Green (KKPG) campaign group, questioned figures used by Redrow at the consultation that stated the borough needs ‘552-757 new homes per year until 2033’, figures taken from a strategic market housing assessment to work out how many homes are needed.

He said the numbers represent the need ‘in a world where there are no land or infrastructure constraints’, adding they are just the start of a much longer process.

(Image: National Police Air Service)

“Spelthorne will now have to consider whether it has the land to build those houses and whether the infrastructure can cope,” Mr Doyle said. “Only then are housing targets produced.”

Mr Doyle said he was surprised to see the letter from Cllr Harvey, adding: “The council is not renowned for committing themselves to anything.

"Part of the problems that we have had over the past two or three years is not being able to believe what they have said.

"Now we have it in writing.

“Cllr Harvey is right. We have an existing local plan and it’s not very old.

"They are in the process of renewing it and until a new plan comes along the current plan continues.”

'Shed load of money at stake'

Mr Doyle said he was sure that Redrow would appeal a decision by the council if an application was submitted further down the line.

“There’s a shed load of money at stake here,” he said. “The job of Spelthorne officers and councillors is to make sure the application is watertight so a planning inspector can’t allow it.”

A spokesman for Redrow said they were ‘delighted’ more than 230 residents attended the event.

“It was a valuable opportunity for the project team to meet residents and listen to their views. Although we understand that there are a number of concerns locally about the development of this site, Redrow firmly believes that this site has potential to help address some of Spelthorne’s housing need and contribute positively to the local area.

“We are committed to working with residents through further consultation to better understand local needs.

"For those unable to attend the information day, all of the information can be viewed online at www.RedrowKempton.co.uk”

The spokesman added Redrow will respond to Cllr Harvey’s letter ‘in due course’.