Planning permission refused for care home on Nescot College site in Ewell

Contrary to the advice of Epsom Council's planning officers, councillors voted to refuse permission for 150 units for elderly and infirm residents on Nescot College’s animal husbandry site in Reigate Road, Ewell.

Another planning application for 91 homes on the rest of the 14-acre site will be considered at a future meeting as the college tries to raise funds for the renovation of its campus.

About 50 people, including residents opposed to the development, watched from the public gallery as seven councillors voted against the development, three voted in favour and one abstained at Epsom town hall.

Councillor David Wood, who made the case for refusal said the "overbearing" care home building would stretch 44ft into the sky above the Ewell Bypass.

Coun Wood said: "The really overwhelming [reason] is this application is a case of overdevelopment. There’s just too much being asked for on that site. The parking provision is inadequate there."

Plans for 91 homes and a senior living community in Ewell

He said the developer contributions, known as the S106 agreements, were also inadequate and raised concerns over the absence of affordable housing and the need for an archaeological evaluation.

Nescot’s partner the Goodman Group had submitted the planning application and its managing director Simon Webster told the council it would provide "high quality" dementia and nursing care as well as assisted living.

He said: "We have a unique opportunity here to create an intergenerational community serving both the growing needs of the aging population but also the young people of Epsom and Ewell."

Nescot’s principal Sunaina Mann said: "The opportunity for the college to work with the Goodman Group to provide opportunities for our students will be invaluable by acquiring skills in a real work environment.

"We need the funds which the sale of the farm site will provide to continue to invest in our outstanding model teaching environment that all of us can be proud of."

The animal husbandry site in Reigate Road, Ewell

Lib Dem Councillor Anna Jones said the provision of work experience for students was "laudable" but she could see no evidence that there was a need for this kind of care home in Ewell.

In terms of how the borough would benefit from the development, she said: "We are getting a bit of a raw deal for such an important and historic area.

"I’m really disappointed by the Section 106. It’s a wasted opportunity."

RA Councillor Ian Booker said: "Epsom and Ewell has 31 care homes at the moment. I look at this and think why do we need something of this scale?"

Councillor Clive Smitheram said it would not be safe to turn right on to Reigate Road and surrounding streets are already "over laden" with cars.

He said: "Goodness knows what is going to happen. It’s a recipe for disaster."

David Williams, who spoke on behalf of residents at the meeting, raised concerns about traffic, air pollution, vehicle access and strain on local services.

He said: "A three-storey, and let’s face it - it is a three-storey, barrack block-style residential home as planned - is just too large. It will be out of character with surrounding houses, which are two-storey."

Labour Councillor Sheila Carlson said the council officers’ report recommended giving permission before properly investigating potential archaeological finds and contamination on the site.

She said: "When then they dig up contaminated land or a very significant piece of Roman pottery we will decide what to do after."

Mark Berry, head of planning at the council, apologised for the other housing application not being ready in time for last night’s meeting.

In November the college announced that they were dropping plans to house 600 students as part of the development in the face of opposition from residents.

Residents, supported by Residents' Associations in the area, have made hundreds of objections since the plans were unveiled in July.

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