The Jolly Boatman lived up to its reputation as one of the most controversial planning matters around when a scuffle between senior councillors broke out about it.


Councillor Ian T Donaldson hit Councillor John O'Reilly on the arm and chairman of the committee, Councillor Chris Sadler, threatened to remove him from the meeting.


The councillors clashed over a safe exit route condition from the Gladedale development in the event of flooding.


Coun Donaldson said “The problem is there is just not enough information. We are playing with people’s lives here.”


Coun Donaldson apologised to Coun O’Reilly later in the meeting.


The north area planning sub-committee discussed three other conditions of the site in Hampton Court Way, East Molesey.


A Gladedale representative clarified the 1.8m high and 8m metre long fence would be measured from the top of the river bank.


Tony Nockles, from the Hampton Court Rescue Campaign (HCRC), complained the supposed buffer zone between the plan and the river had been “disregarded”.


There was further confusion over whether Gladedale Estates limited could go ahead with the planning initially submitted by Gladedale Special Projects.


The companies are part of the same group but are different legal entities and it was later confirmed the planning application was for the site, not for a specific company name.


Councillors deferred a decision on the fence until the committee’s next meeting to visit the site and see pictures.


The committee was satisfied the three other conditions had been met, but the safe exit route would be confirmed on advice from the Environment Agency.


Gladedale has until June 16, 2013, to start building on the site and must first comply with council conditions.


HCRC was celebrating a success of its own after the council granted permission for its alternative park scheme.


It said its planned riverside space on the site of the old Jolly Boatman pub would preserve the stunning views of the treasured national monument.


Elmbridge Council’s planning department made a delegated decision to approve the proposals on Friday, August 24.

The plan cannot go ahead, however, unless Gladedale fails to hit the deadline to start work on a four-storey 46-bedroom hotel, with 66 new houses and a care home.