Planning Applications - Runnymede Borough Council

3.1 Brooklands has a long and complex planning history upon which this
Council has made formal representations from time to time when it
appeared that proposed developments would adversely affect the Borough.
Such has been the case with the various schemes for the redevelopment of
the Central Area, including proposals in 1990 for a business park of some
65,000m 2 (700,000 sq ft).
3.2 The Committee objected strongly to that 1990 proposal on the grounds of
the Green Belt, employment and housing policy issues and the problems of
traffic generation.
3.3 The application was subsequently dismissed on appeal following a Public
Inquiry at which the Council gave evidence.
3.4 The Brooklands Local Plan First Alteration 1992 finally confirmed the
Central Area within the approved Green Belt, following a Local Plan Inquiry
and a High Court challenge. The relevant Local Plan is now the Elmbridge
Borough Local Plan which was adopted in August 2000.
3.5 In 1998 the Council was consulted on a proposal for the erection of a 60
bed hotel (2,323m 2 ), restaurant (325 m 2 ), offices (2,787 m 2 ) and tennis
centre (790 m 2 ) - with associated recreational open space, landscaping and
flood compensation works, following demolition of the Air Hanson building
(RU.98/0455). The Committee at its meeting in June 1998 raised no
objections subject to the applicants entering into an appropriate agreement
to secure the remainder of the Central Area (outside the proposed built
development) as open land and to preclude its possible future
development. In addition, the Committee expressed the need for very
careful consideration to be given to the proposed improvements to the
River Wey and in particular the safety aspects as the river here (and
through Runnymede) is very fast flowing.
4. The Proposals
4.1 This is an outline application by Daimler Chrysler UK Retail Ltd for the
demolition of some existing structures and removal of part of the runway,
the construction of a Mercedes Heritage and Technology Centre (of 8,500
m 2 footprint) with driving circuit, an 80 bed hotel, Class B1 offices
development (of 3,690 m 2 footprint), the formation of a new access road,
provision of a recreational park with riverside walks and parking for all uses.
There would additionally be flood compensation works, clearance of
unauthorised uses and fly-tipping and extensive car parking and
landscaping.
4.2 The Heritage and Technology Centre (HTC) would comprise a range of
facilities associated with Mercedes Benz cars, including sales and
servicing, a ‘driver experience facility’, provision for corporate events,
heritage and technology exhibition space and space for public events and
catering.
4.3 The application lists the following elements:
• the construction of a Heritage and Technology (HTC) building;
• the construction of driving experience circuit;