Planning Applications - Runnymede Borough Council

Way, and deals with what are understood to be an increasing number of
unauthorised uses on the land and also areas of contamination.
6.5 The Alternative Sites Study (ref. para 4.8 above) has now been submitted
as further evidence of the very special circumstances to justify a case for
development. The study comprised an 18 month review of various sites
using specified selection criteria and search methodology. It concludes that
Brooklands is the only one that met or partially met all the search criteria
chosen. The DERA site at Longcross was among the sites assessed in the
Study.
6.6 It is acknowledged that the proposals offer an opportunity for achieving a
number of local benefits, for example the Community Park, as well as
potential for safeguarding the unique Brooklands heritage resource which is
nationally important. In addition the scheme would provide some certainty
and protection for the remaining open Green Belt within the Central Area, a
matter which the Committee felt was important with the previous scheme
(ref. para 3.5 above). However the proposal represents a major incursion
into the Green Belt on Runnymede’s boundary and on land which forms an
integral part of the broad sweep of open countryside which comprises the
shallow valley of the River Wey. It is not considered that the very special
circumstances claimed are sufficiently compelling to justify an exceptional
case for such a significant departure from Green Belt policy.
6.7 The Alternative Sites Study does not appear to have undertaken a
sufficiently robust assessment of other sites to demonstrate that
sequentially more preferable sites for either the whole scheme or elements
of it are unavailable. It is therefore considered that this study adds little
weight to the claimed very special circumstances.
6.8 An objection on Green Belt policy grounds is therefore recommended.
Highway and Transportation Issues
6.9 The main areas of concern for this Authority in respect of these issues are
how the proposed development might impact upon the Borough’s highway
network and the potential environmental affect this might have. The
applicant’s Traffic Assessment (TA) has concluded that there will be “nil
detriment to highway and road junctions” and that the proposed Travel Plan
has the potential to further improve the travel situation.
6.10 The TA predicts a 2% increase in two-way vehicular movements in Byfleet
Road as a result of the proposed development. It is understood from the
County Highways Authority that an increase of this order would not give rise
to concern in terms of highway capacity.
6.11 The County Council has however indicated that at the present time
adequate transportation infrastructure to accommodate the development
has yet to be agreed and the likely traffic generation and potential
environmental impact has not yet adequately addressed. There are
therefore important outstanding concerns in relation to strategic
transportation policy and it is therefore recommended that an objection
should also be raised in this respect.