Planning committee grants permission for Weybridge development subject to affordable housing agreement

• Planning permission granted for Cartref, Ellesmere Road, Weybridge, subject to a legal agreement securing an affordable housing contribution of £428,222 and a SAMM contribution of £29,199.56 within three months.
• An informative was added to the Weybridge decision advising that the site lies in an amber zone for Great Crested Newts and that all works must stop if a newt is found during construction.
• Permission was also granted for the application at 2 Fairmile Lane, Cobham, with conditions as set out in the agenda.
• The Planning Compliance Team had 35 active cases and 16 cases on hold as at 1 July 2026, with the committee noting the team's performance report.
• Elmbridge's rate of allowed planning appeals for major applications stands at 2.4%, said to be among the lowest in Surrey, though members noted the figure is sensitive to individual decisions given the small number of cases involved.

Elmbridge Borough Council's Planning Committee met on 14 July 2026, chaired by Barry Cheyne, and considered two planning applications, a planning compliance update, and a summary of recent appeal decisions.

The meeting lasted 42 minutes, concluding at 7.42 pm.

**Cartref, Ellesmere Road, Weybridge (2025/2670)**

The committee resolved to grant planning permission for the application at Cartref, Ellesmere Road, Weybridge, subject to the completion of a satisfactory legal agreement within three months of the resolution, or a longer period as agreed by the Head of Planning and Environmental Health.

The legal agreement must secure a policy-compliant affordable housing contribution of £428,222 and a Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area Strategic Access Management and Monitoring (SAMM) contribution of £29,199.56.

Before the application was considered, the Senior Planning Officer advised the committee of proposed amended and additional conditions relating to the list of approved plans and landscaping matters, as well as an additional informative concerning Great Crested Newts. Two further letters of objection had also been received. The committee heard from Mark Rhoden, an objector, and Steve Elliott, the agent.

Amended conditions included a detailed list of approved plans and a requirement for full hard and soft landscaping details to be submitted and approved in writing by the local planning authority prior to any above-ground works commencing. An additional landscaping implementation condition requires arboricultural work to existing trees to be carried out before any other development begins, with replacement planting required within five years should any trees or plants die, be removed, or become seriously damaged or diseased.

An informative was added advising that the site lies within an amber impact zone on the modelled district licence map for Great Crested Newts, indicating highly suitable surrounding habitat. Whilst a survey was not required as a condition, those undertaking the development were advised that Great Crested Newts and their resting places are protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The informative states that all works must cease if a newt is discovered during site preparation or construction, pending advice from a qualified ecologist and Natural England.

Should a satisfactory legal agreement not be secured within the required period, authority was delegated to the Head of Planning and Environmental Health to refuse permission on grounds of non-compliance with Policy CS21 of the Core Strategy 2011 regarding affordable housing and Policy CS13 regarding SAMM contributions.

Vice-Chairman Alex Coomes noted, for the record, that the agent for this application was a former officer of the council and therefore known to some members of the committee. Coomes confirmed this did not constitute a disclosable pecuniary or other registerable interest under the Code of Conduct.

**2 Fairmile Lane, Cobham (2025/3350)**

The committee resolved to permit the application at 2 Fairmile Lane, Cobham, with conditions and informatives as outlined in the agenda. The same declaration regarding the agent's former employment with the council was noted in respect of this application.

**Planning compliance update**

The committee considered a report on the performance and workflow of the Planning Compliance Team. Members noted that as at 1 July 2026, there were 35 active cases and 16 cases on hold. The committee resolved to note the report.

**Planning appeals summary**

Members considered a report summarising appeal decisions received in the previous quarter. It was noted that copies of decisions are circulated to ward members upon receipt and published on the council's website.

The committee noted that for major applications in Elmbridge, the proportion of appeals allowed stands at 2.4%, described as one of the lowest rates in Surrey. Members were cautioned, however, that because the figure relates to a relatively small number of applications, decisions on one or two cases could produce a significant movement in the percentage. The committee resolved to note the report.