Housing development consultations

Spelthorne Borough Council has released the results from six consultations that were held in the summer months in relation to proposed affordable housing developments for the Borough.

The Council held consultations on the proposals for the White House, the Oast House, Thameside House, Ashford Multi-Storey Car Park, Benwell House phase two and 91-93 Staines High Street.

To ensure full accessibility, residents were given the option to respond to the consultations face to face, online, via email or post. Two-day public exhibitions held over weekdays and weekends for each of the developments were held at the proposed locations for residents to see the plans and directly engage with the project team. The events gave residents the opportunity to ask specific questions on the plans and the Council's affordable homes policy. 

At the exhibitions, concerns were raised from some residents on whether people in Spelthorne would benefit from the new homes, though the project team were able to give reassurances that the proposals were 100% affordable homes to rent for local residents that ordinarily could not afford to buy or rent at higher private market rents. Spelthorne Borough Council currently have over 3,400 local applicants on the housing registry waiting list (an almost 100% increase from 2.5 years ago) who would be prioritised for affordable housing as well as former members of the armed forces, key workers and victims of domestic abuse who are accepted as homeless.

The Council used a number of channels to raise awareness of the consultations including press advertising, the Council's website, Bulletin magazine which is delivered to all household in the Borough, noticeboards and social media channels. Leaflets were also delivered to residents living in the vicinity of the proposed developments.

An outline of each consultation and a summary of the response can be found below:

White House

The proposals are to build 17 affordable rental one bedroom and two-bedroom homes at the White House site, Kingston Road, Ashford.

A total of 25 residents responded to this consultation, 10 supported the development and 10 were opposed. The other five were unsure. The exhibition outlining the development plans saw 11 residents come to visit, most were supportive of affordable homes to rent for local people.

Oast House

The proposal is to build 182 affordable rental one bedroom and two-bedroom homes for local people alongside a pioneering healthcare centre for the NHS and the refurbishment of the Oast House for arts and cultural uses. Disabled parking for the development will be provided on site, but wider parking for the residents will be provided through a new purpose-built car park on the Elmsleigh Centre surface car park on South Street.

A total of 62 residents respond to this consultation, 24 supported the development and 25 were opposed. The remaining 13 residents did not express a view. 56 residents attended the exhibition to speak to the development team and were generally supportive of the composition of uses and felt the benefits being brought to the wider community outweighed any negatives.

Thameside House

The Council consulted on 106 affordable rental units for local people, reduced from 140 including the reduction of height, as well as new employment floorspace which is being created to retain and create new jobs in Staines which will also contribute to the long-term sustainability of the town centre.

A total of 37 residents responded to this survey, 17 supported the development, and 14 were opposed. The other six responded saying they didn't know. The Council's exhibition to outline plans to residents was visited by 46 people who mostly supported affordable homes for local people and they could appreciate the benefits of supporting and retaining a major employer in the town centre.

Ashford Multi-Storey Car Park

The proposal is to build 42 affordable rental one bedroom and two-bedroom homes for local people above ground floor commercial/community space with car parking for residents and visitors.

A total of 76 residents responded to this consultation, 24 supported the development and 36 were opposed.  The other 16 responded to say they didn't know. Approximately 150 people came to speak to the development team about the project who expressed overwhelming support for new affordable homes and enhanced public spaces including a safer better public car park.

Benwell House phase two

The proposal is to introduce a mix of 12 x 1-bed (private rental), 24 x 2-bed and 3 x 3-bed affordable rental units at Benwell House, Green Street, Sunbury TW16 6QS. The proposals now contain a smaller building, with 35 one and two-bed units and replacement mature trees.

A total of 40 residents responded to this consultation, 10 supported the development and 21 were opposed.  The remaining nine said they were unsure. 31 people visited the exhibition to learn more about the plans. 

91-93 Staines High Street

This proposed development is to build 12 affordable rental one bedroom and two-bedroom homes above ground floor retail / commercial space. The proposals will be car free.

A total of 19 residents responded to this consultation, 13 supported the development and five were opposed. One other was unsure. Around 35 people attended the exhibitions to learn more about the plans, a substantial majority were supportive of new affordable homes to rent for local people.

What happens next?

A detailed analysis of the comments made in the consultations will be considered and presented to the Development Sub-Committee before moving to the planning stage. Any future applications will be subject to further statutory consultations.

The online consultation summary results can be downloaded from the right-hand column.