Plan for 110 homes on Epsom farmland rejected

A proposal to build 110 homes on farmland has been denied planning consent.

Campaigners had said they were concerned the development at Langley Vale Road, near Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey, would damage the landscape and pose a risk to horse riders.

Developer Fairfax Aspire said in its submissions that "significant benefits" outweighed any harms, while council officers recommended the plans were approved.

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council's planning committee rejected the outline planning application on Thursday, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Councillor Bernie Froud told the meeting that "once we pour concrete over it, we will destroy this site of nature conservation importance forever".

Langley Vale Action Group campaigner John Mumford said: "For every reason put forward to justify the scheme, there are more compelling policy and environmental reasons as to why this scheme should be refused."

Fairfax Aspire said the site was "grey belt" and designs could include mitigation measures to avoid harm to surrounding green belt land.

A visual impact survey reported that "a development can be sensitively achieved on site", according to the developer.

The council received 364 written objections to the proposal and an online petition opposing the scheme with over 2,000 signatures.

Objectors included Epsom Downs Racecourse owner The Jockey Club, which wrote that the application would have "a significant adverse impact" on the nearby training grounds.

"This application poses a great risk to the operations of the horse racing industry by jeopardising the safety of horses and riders," it said.

Ward councillor Steven McCormick said the proposal would "creating a collision corridor" for horses and cars in the area.

The developer had argued any change in the number of vehicle trips would be "not material".

In a report to the planning committee, council officers had said the scheme was "highly unlikely to lead to potential harm to equestrian users and their horses sufficient to result in their longer term desire to relocate".

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