The Tandridge Council Planning Committee met to consider several planning applications, including the refurbishment of existing communal facilities into residential units and the installation of a kiosk and toilet block in Queens Park. The committee also received a verbal update on recent appeal decisions by the Planning Inspectorate.

Planning Applications

The committee was scheduled to discuss four planning applications.

Bungalows in Godstone and South Godstone

The committee was asked to consider applications 2025/611 and 2025/612, which relate to the refurbishment of existing communal bungalows into residential units for Tandridge District Council.

Application 2025/611 concerns a bungalow north of 45-51, Lindley Road, Godstone and seeks permission for the:

Refurbishment of existing semi detached bungalow containing communal facilities for the surrounding associated housing blocks, to create no. 1 bedroom bungalow for Tandridge District Council.

The report noted that Godstone Parish Council objected to the application, stating that it should be for a change of use of the property, which they say is a community space for the use of Lindley Road residents.

Application 2025/612 relates to a bungalow at land rear of 10-28 Harcourt Way, South Godstone, and requests permission for the:

Refurbishment of existing detached bungalow containing the communal facilities for the surrounding associated housing blocks, to create 1 no. 2-bedroom bungalow for Tandridge District Council, including revised and new fenestration, fencing and a designated disabled parking space.

The report noted that Godstone Parish Council had no objection to this application.

The report stated that both sites are within a Defined Village in the Green Belt, and that the proposed developments could be considered under point 2 of Policy DP12, which relates to the redevelopment of previously developed land¹. It also stated that as the sites are to provide social/affordable housing, they can also be considered under point 3 of Policy DP12.

The reports stated that both applications would result in the permanent loss of an unused community facility, but would result in the provision of an additional M4(3) wheelchair accessible unit².

Day Room in Oxted

Application 2025/609 concerns a day room at 86- 94, Holland Road, Coldshott, Oxted, and seeks permission for the:

Refurbishment of existing ground floor communal facilities for the surrounding associated housing blocks, to create 1 no. 2-bedroom ground floor flat for Tandridge District Council, including revised fenestration and new fenestration.

The report noted that Oxted Parish Council had no objection to this application.

The report stated that the site is located within the urban area of Hurst Green, and that the key issue is the impact the development would have on the character of the property and the surrounding area, and the residential amenities of neighbouring occupiers.

The report stated that the application would result in the permanent loss of an unused facility, but would result in the provision of an additional M4(3) wheelchair accessible residential unit.

Queens Park Kiosk and Toilet Block

Application 2025/278 relates to Queens Park, Queens Park Road, Caterham, and seeks permission for the:

Installation of a single-storey kiosk and toilet block

The report stated that the application site is located within Queens Park in Caterham, which is designated Green Belt.

The report stated that the proposal is part of a £1.7 million investment in improvements to the park, including replacing the children's play area, improving the drainage, forming improved pathways, and planting in excess of 20 new trees.

The report noted that Caterham-on-the-Hill Parish Council considered the provision of a new kiosk and toilet block to be fully justified in terms of exceptional circumstances, as they improve the accessibility of Queens Park to a much wider set of users.

The report also noted that the Friends of Queens Park support the delivery of the kiosk and toilets, and requested a condition for the removal of the current kiosk and hardstanding.

The report stated that the size of the kiosk and public toilets is modest, and its height would not exceed 4 metres. It also stated that the original kiosk and the hardstanding on which it is sited would also be removed, which would lessen the built form in this location.