Prescott says no to plan for 135 homes on green belt

icsurreyonline.co.uk, 11th Aug, 2005

FOLLOWING a lengthy and costly planning inquiry, the proposals for a housing development at Lingfield's National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy (NCYPE) have been dismissed by the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) announced the decision of refusal on Wednesday last week.

An official report stated that the £45m development was an "inappropriate development in the green belt and would harm the openness of the Green Belt".

The plan to sell 21 acres of land for £18m to build 135 homes at the St Piers Lane site to part fund the modernisation of the campus was met with dozens of objections from local residents and parish councils who believe the locality is unsuitable.

Former NCYPE classroom assistant Richard Snell, who has lived in Racecourse Road for 10 years, said: "My feeling is that it has been a triumph of common sense over politics.

"It was a ludicrous idea, common sense said that this couldn't possibly happen."

Bob Evans, director of environmental protection at Tandridge District Council, said: "We are very pleased with the outcome of the appeal which supports fully the reasons for refusal that the district council had for the planning application.

"Having said that, the council still has high regard for the work and excellence of NCYPE."

The inspector's report also said that the lack of a suitable bus service and poor footpath links to the village were major drawbacks.

Both Dormansland and Lingfield Parish Council members were against the plans.

Mike Clark, chairman of Lingfield Parish Council, said: "We value very much the work done by NCYPE, and the school has a very special place in our community. This would, however, have been a development too far.

"Frankly, I was not fully confident of this outcome.

"The involvement of the ODPM took us in to uncertain territory."

The substantial increase in traffic has been highlighted as a safety issue and it was revealed that potential alternatives to the proposals had not been considered by NCYPE bosses.

Eric Richardson, of Dormans Park, said: "I hope NCYPE trustees will now think hard before allowing management to embark upon such expensive, illconceived adventures in the future.

"NCYPE money would surely be better spent on the children in their care rather than expensive lawyers employed to fight the indefensible."

NCYPE chief executive Bob Haughton said: "NCYPE is obviously very disappointed and disheartened by this news.

"We shall study the decision and the inspectors' report in consultation with our advisors and assess the options available to the NCYPE.

"A further statement will be issued in due course."

It has not yet been confirmed whether the case will be taken to the High Court in an attempt to overturn the appeal decision.