The Planning and Regulatory Committee of Surrey County Council met on Wednesday 22 July 2026 to discuss two planning applications related to the Epsom Chalk Pit site. The committee granted permission for a revised surface water drainage system and approved amendments to a previously granted permission for a materials recycling facility, subject to updated conditions.

Installation of Surface Water Drainage System at Chalk Pit, College Road, Epsom

The committee considered a part-retrospective application for a surface water drainage system at the Epsom Chalk Pit site on College Road. The proposed system includes a soakaway, petrol interceptor, and silt trap, with the soakaway having been partially installed. This system is intended to serve the adjacent Skippet site development.

Concerns were raised by local residents, represented by Steve, from the College Ward Residents Association, regarding the potential for groundwater contamination due to the site's location over a principal aquifer and within Source Protection Zone 3. Steve argued for more robust conditions, including a formal verification by an independent engineer and an enforceable maintenance and audit condition requiring annual reports.

Charlotte Parker, a planning officer, explained that the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) and the Environment Agency had raised no objections, deeming the proposed scheme acceptable subject to conditions requiring installation and maintenance in accordance with the submitted drainage design document. While acknowledging the residents' concerns, the officers advised that the proposed conditions were sufficient and that the additional conditions suggested by Steve might not meet the tests of necessity and reasonableness.

After considerable debate, the committee voted to grant planning permission, with an amendment to include a condition for a verification report to confirm the correct installation of the system. This decision was carried with five votes in favour, two abstentions, and one against.

Amendments to Materials Recycling Facility at Chalk Pit, College Road, Epsom

The committee also considered a Section 73 application to vary several conditions on a previous planning permission (EP21/00223/CMA) for a materials recycling facility and waste transfer station at the Epsom Chalk Pit site. The application sought to regularise changes made to the building configurations, including altered footprints, an external staircase, different cladding materials, relocation of EV charging points, and the repositioning of waste processing machinery.

Susie, representing the applicant, addressed concerns about noise, stating that noise measurements taken when the site was fully operational indicated low background levels and that the requirement for roller shutter doors to remain closed would provide a further 10 dB reduction in noise. She also noted that dust emissions were monitored by the Environment Agency and that there were no proposed changes to lorry movements.

Steve, representing local residents, reiterated concerns about unauthorized development and the impact of relocating noisy machinery to Building 1, closer to residential properties. He argued that the proposed conditions, particularly regarding the closure of roller shutter doors, would be difficult to enforce and suggested an independent acoustic compliance verification.

Councillor Louise Morales highlighted the necessity of such facilities given new government regulations on waste sorting. Councillor Ernest Mallett MBE described the application as a clean-up to regularise minor deviations from the original permission, emphasizing that the site was an established industrial area and that the application brought previously uncontrolled aspects under planning control.

The committee discussed the enforceability of conditions and the role of technical agencies. Ultimately, the committee unanimously approved the application, subject to amended conditions, including the requirement for roller shutter doors to remain closed during operational hours except for vehicle access, and an updated condition regarding surface water drainage.

The committee also noted that the next meeting would be held on 23 September 2026.