The office block at No 55 East Street, Epsom, has been empty for 3 years and there is a planning application to convert the ground floor into retail and the rest into accommodation, and to add another storey, and to exend it at the back, to cut down the trees and to build 10 garages at the back, each housing 3 cars on top of each other.

On Friday and Saturday two sides of the building were surrounded by a high wooden wall giving the impression work was about to start, without planning permission being granted.

I am a resident of Victoria Place behind the building, and many of us are extremely upset about the size of this proposed development, which would be completely out of place in what is supposed to be a conservation area.  We already have a parking problem and don't want it made any worse.

Chris Grayling was quoted in the Guardian dated 10 July saying he doesn't want any more supermarkets in Epsom, including in East Street, and I agree with him.

No 55 East Street is large enough already and the residents in Victoria Place don't want to see it even larger.  I know it's been empty for 3 years and something needs to be done, but the planning application is far too extensive.

Catherine Hodson,

Victoria Place, Epsom

 



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