Three new applications have been received by the Council from London Irish Holdings Ltd. These follow on from two earlier applications which were refused by this Council in 2010 and dismissed at appeal on 24 October 2011(Pdf 862kb). The scheme for the Rugby Centre of Excellence at Hazelwood Golf Course was only refused on the basis that it was linked to an unacceptable residential scheme at The Avenue, Sunbury. In terms of The Avenue site, whilst the Council and residents fought strongly on a number of grounds, that appeal was only dismissed because the scheme did not ensure that 35% of the housing on site was affordable.
The new application for the Rugby Centre of Excellence at Hazelwood is the same as the scheme which was dismissed on appeal, except that a legal agreement will be required to ensure that community benefits are delivered regardless of whether or not The Avenue development goes ahead.
The Avenue site
There are two application for The Avenue site:
12/00368/OUT: This outline application is for 194 residential units, a 60 bed care home, a site for a future health centre and the provision of new open space including a new neighbourhood park. This is the same as the appeal scheme, with the exception that 35% affordable housing is now provided on site. The residential units are a mix of 39 one bed and 51 two bed flats, along with 66 two bed cottages, 16 semi-detached three and four bed houses and 22 detached four and five bedroom houses.
12/00369/OUT: This alternative application is for a wholly residential scheme of 206 units (60 shletered, 40 affordable and 106 market housing) plus the provision of significant areas of new open space. The residential units are a mix of 12 two bed houses, 68 three bed houses, 40 four bed houses and 26 five bed houses. Again, this scheme is an outline application.
This scheme has been drawn up in discussion with the Council and the local community (through LOSRA) and provides more family sized medium and large houses, 20% affordable housing on site and a financial contribution for the remaining 15% off site, and centrally located open space.
London Irish has also indicated in its Planning Statement for The Avenue site that 'the original application and appeal scheme ........ will be withdrawn if this alternative scheme is granted planning permission'.
Consultation and committee
Due to the Easter holidays public consultation on all three applications will run for six weeks as opposed to the standard three week period.
If you wish to comment on any of the applications please email, comment via 'Planning Applications Online'* or send a letter to: Planning Dept, Spelthorne Borough Council, Knowle Green, Staines TW18 1XB by 11 May 2012 using the reference numbers above. Please see the guidance notes (Pdf 22 kb) which explain the issues we can consider.
*To comment on an application via 'Planning Applications Online', once you have accepted the terms of use, type in the planning application number and press search. After you have found the application details click on 'Comment on this application', complete the form and submit. To view all the documents and drawings submitted click on the 'Documents' tab and then 'View Associated Documents'.
We will take into account all comments right up until we make a decision on the proposals. We are planning to hold a special planning committee meeting to consider all three applications. This is currently due to take place on Thursday 21 June 2012 at the Council Offices.
