Plans approved for 23 homes in Godstone, Surrey on old farmland with demolition of existing buildings. No affordable housing provided.
The builders will tear down some old buildings. There’s an old animal center they’re getting rid of, and some houses and grassland are going. Elm Farm stays, but it will have less land.
They are planning modern houses. Most will be two stories tall. The houses will have two or three bedrooms. There will be 26 parking spots. They will add six visitor spots, too.
The council needed more housing. They felt it made up for not having affordable homes. The buildings already there meant it wouldn’t hurt the green belt. The meeting was February 5th.
Two homes were supposed to be affordable at first. New rules wanted 34 percent. They did the math and lowered it. The council settled for money instead, totaling around £350,000.
One local council member was not happy. He felt they broke all the rules. He worried developers might just give money and avoid building homes.
The developer tried to find someone to manage the affordable homes. Nobody wanted only two houses. They were too far out in the country. So, the council accepted the money.
Another councilperson wondered if the location was good. The train station and shops are far, which could discourage residents. They are roughly a fifteen minute walk away.
One councilor said it’s country living and people want to live in the country. Some don’t mind things being far. Shops are not necessarily important.
The builder will fix two bus stops there and will add coverings. This will make them better for everyone. The agent, Philip Taylor, confirmed it.