This presentation was given by Sue Prentice at the Stoke D’Abernon Residents’ Association AGM on 27th May 2025. You can download the PDF file below, or view all the content on this page.

1 Say NO to 250 New Homes on Blundel Lane

• Proposed development of 250+ new homes on Blundel Lane “The Paddocks”
  • Mix of houses (2/3/4 bed) plus some blocks of flats (1/2 bed)
  • Mix of market, affordable and social housing
• Reduced scope Environmental Impact Study application was approved in Jan 2025 – has to address issues identified and accompany the Planning Application
• Outline Planning Application now live – 2025/1097 on elmbridge.gov.uk/planning

2 Say NO to 250 New Homes on Blundel Lane

• Will have a devastating impact on our community
• Will result in approx. 40% additional dwellings
• Change our village from semi-rural to urban
• The land is Green Belt NOT Grey Belt
  • 2019 EBC Landscape Sensitivity Study “Moderate-High overall sensitivity to change arising from residential and mixed-use development”
• Site is NOT in a sustainable location
  • Limited public transport (bus) services
  • High reliance on cars for residents to go to work, access shopping, amenities, schools, health, leisure etc
  • Safety is an issue; railway bridge crossing, limited pavements and cycle lanes, Blundel Lane and Stoke Road exit and accident history on Stoke Rd

3 Say NO to 250 New Homes on Blundel Lane

• This is NOT the only proposed development in our area, but could be the first
• Issues and Impact on Residents with this and other proposed developments
  • Traffic and Congestion on Blundel Lane and Stoke Road
  • Access to Schools and Available school places
  • Access and availability of Healthcare – Doctors in particular
  • Flooding on Blundel Lane and impact on residents further down the Lane
  • Sewage capacity and risk of water pollution
  • Environmental Impact
  • Air pollution
  • Destruction of trees, hedgerows and fields
  • Impact on wildlife; birds, insects, badgers, bats
  • Out of keeping with the local neighbourhood in terms of density and height of buildings

4 What we need from you

• Object to the Planning Application (when it is published)
  • Share with friends in the wider area and get them to object as well, it won’t just affect Stoke d’Abernon
• Lobby your local councillors (Corinne Sterry, Andrew Burley, Alan Parker plus the other Cobham councillors)
• Support our Campaign and Get Involved (Stop the Paddocks)
  • Sign up to receive email communications (contact@sdra.org.uk)
  • Distribute flyers
  • Support our Funding appeal – planning a crowd funding on GoFundme.com

5 Specific help and expertise needed

• Healthcare specialist (doctors/nurses)
• Marketing and PR and social media
  • Local Celebrity contacts to help with publicity? Footballers? Etc….
• Environment and Ecology experts
• Anyone with a drone – some aerial photos would be helpful?
• Planning Consultant contacts
• Traffic Consultant contacts

6 Is The Paddocks site clearly Grey Belt?

The Elmbridge Borough Landscape Sensitivity Study Final Report (2019)conclusion reads:

‘the Landscape Unit (including The Paddocks site) is assessed as having a Moderate-High overall sensitivity to change arising from residential and mixed-use development. This is due to the landscape’s intact rural qualities, the open visual character of the landscape to the south and the recreational and natural value of the landscape in the north. A high degree of care would be needed in considering the location, design and siting of change within the landscape.

…….. is that GREY BELT land???