The Planning and Regulatory Committee of Surrey Council is scheduled to convene on Wednesday, 28 October 2026. The primary focus of the meeting will be a proposal for the construction of a new school.

New Alternative Provision School in Walton on Thames

A significant item on the agenda is the potential construction of a single-storey alternative provision short stay school at Land at Thamesfield North, Terrace Road, Walton on Thames. This school would cater for 60 pupils in years 7 to 11 and would include associated access, parking, a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), external play areas, and landscaping. The report pack indicates that the recommendation is to grant planning permission, subject to conditions.

The proposed development aims to replace existing facilities for the North East Surrey Short Stay School (NESSSS) located in Hersham and Staines, which are described as significantly undersized and in poor condition. The report notes that the application site is within the Green Belt, but officers consider it to be grey belt land¹ and therefore not an inappropriate development.

Various representations from the public have been received, raising concerns about the road network capacity, highway safety, parking, public transport, potential conflict with existing schools, surface water run-off, flood risk, impact on wildlife, noise, light and air quality, Green Belt protection, overdevelopment, and impact on existing services. However, no technical objections have been raised by relevant consultees, provided suitable conditions are applied.

The report details extensive planning considerations, including the principle and educational need for the school, its location within the Green Belt, landscape character, design, visual amenity, impact on neighbouring amenity, highways, traffic, access, flood risk, drainage, landscaping, trees, ecology, biodiversity, and waste management. The recommendation to grant permission is based on the assessment that the proposed development meets a clear educational need and that its impacts can be adequately controlled through planning conditions.