The Runnymede Borough Council Planning Committee met to discuss a range of planning applications and an enforcement report, focusing on balancing development with local plan policies and community impact. The committee resolved to keep open an enforcement case regarding alterations to the Former Christ Church, allowing time for negotiations and a listed building consent application. They also approved temporary change of use for a car park and a film making location, and a retrospective application for change of use of a building on Egham High Street.

Former Christ Church, Longcross Road, Chertsey

The committee resolved to keep enforcement files open regarding alleged unauthorised works to the Grade II listed Former Christ Church, also known as Longcross Church, at Longcross Road, Longcross, Chertsey. The decision allows the developer four months to negotiate with the council and Place Services, the council's heritage advisor, and to submit a listed building consent application for the works undertaken or proposed remedial works. The application should include details to change the materials used for fenestration from UPVC to a more appropriate heritage material, preferably timber.

The alleged breaches of planning and listed building control include:

• Removal/repair of the vestry door
• Alteration of fenestration, including encapsulation of windows and the use of UPVC as a framing material
• Insertion of a rooflight and ventilation for Flat 5 to the rear of the building
• Insertion of smoke vents
• Amendments to dormers (fenestration materials UPVC)

The report notes that a previous decision on this matter was redetermined as part of a settlement agreement following an application for judicial review by a third party.

Appendix 1. Heritage Longcross Church Chertsey Runnymede Place Services from Place Services stated that:

Taken together the works which are the subject of this assessment result in the highest levels of less than substantial harm, making Paragraph 215 of the NPPF relevant. If we are to consider this on a scale of low, medium, and high it is my professional view that the harm lies at the very highest end of the scale.

The committee agreed that the listed building consent application relating to these matters should come back to the committee for consideration. Should an application not be received, or should the listed building application be rejected, the enforcement matter should return to the committee for further consideration with a view to potentially issuing a Listed Building Enforcement Notice.

Car Park, 30 The Causeway, Staines-upon-thames

The committee authorised the Head of Planning (HoP) to grant planning permission for the temporary change of use of land to provide 400 valet car parking spaces at 30 The Causeway, Staines-upon-thames. The application seeks to extend the temporary use to three years and reduce the number of spaces from 441.

The site is a single-deck car park to the rear of 30 The Causeway, where the former office buildings are being converted to residential use. The application aims to demonstrate that the car park use can coexist with the residential development.

The approval is subject to conditions, including:

• The use must cease within three years or upon commencement of any other development granted consent at 30 The Causeway.
• The car park must only be used for valet parking services and not be accessible to the general public.
• The applicant must provide contact details to neighbours for reporting car alarms.

The committee considered that the proposal complies with the Local Plan policies and would make efficient use of previously developed land. They also noted that the development would not give rise to any highway implications or harm neighbouring amenity.

Hersham Farm, Longcross Road, Chertsey

The committee authorised the HoP to grant planning permission for the change of use of agricultural land for film making purposes at Hersham Farm, Longcross Road, Chertsey. The proposal involves stripping and storing soils, laying out two hardstanding areas, and the temporary erection of an exterior set, access, storage, and parking for a one-year period.

The application was made retrospectively, with the applicant stating that this was necessary due to the nature of the filming industry and the lack of available lots near Shepperton Studios.

The approval is subject to conditions, including:

• The development must be discontinued and removed by 1 April 2026.
• A restoration and ecological enhancement plan must be submitted and approved.
• A demolition method statement must be submitted and approved.
• No external lighting shall be erected/used on site other than that shown on the Existing Layout Plan.
• The development must be carried out in accordance with the Proposed Drainage Plan.
• A Site Waste Management Plan must be submitted and approved.

The committee acknowledged that the development is inappropriate in the Green Belt and causes harm to its openness. However, they considered that the economic benefits of the scheme, the temporary nature of the development, and the potential for permitted development outweighed the harm.

59 B High Street, Egham

The committee authorised the HoP to grant planning permission for the change of use from offices into a mixed use of religious community space and non-residential education and training with holistic treatment at 59 B High Street, Egham. The application was made retrospectively.

The approval is subject to conditions, including:

• The development must be commenced within three years.
• The use must not be open to members of the public outside the hours of 06:00 to 23:00.
• A refuse monitoring and maintenance plan must be submitted and approved.
• No sound reproduction equipment which is audible outside the premises shall be installed on the site.

The committee considered that the proposal is in accordance with the development plan, which directs such uses to town centre locations. They also noted the benefits of providing additional social and community infrastructure in a sustainable location.