New neighbourhood 'will devastate the community'

VILLAGE RESIDENTS FEAR THE AREA COULD BE 'URBANISED'

- By EMILY DALTON

PLANS for a brand new neighbourhood in a Surrey village have been met with staunch local opposition.

Residents claim the development would have a “devastating impact on the community” and the tiny village of Stoke D’Abernon could be ‘urbanised’ if the development goes ahead.

The scheme, proposed by developer Mac Mic Strategic Land Limited, would see up to 250 homes built on Blundel Lane, south of the Polyapes Scout Campsite. The land, a green buffer between Stoke D’Abernon and Oxshott, could see a massive overhaul of into hundreds of new homes, including apartments, smaller homes and larger family homes.

Sue Prentice, who lives near the site, said the proposed development would have a “devastating impact on the community”.

Helping lead a campaign against ‘The Paddocks’ development, Sue said the new neighbourhood would “create urbanisation in a semi-rural area”.

Slamming the plans, Sue said: “The height and massing of the proposed development will be completely out of keeping with the semi-rural nature of our village.

“Fifteen metre high buildings are being requested which will be the equivalent of five-storey blocks of flats.

“The local area currently is basically a two-storey neighbourhood so this flies against the Elmbridge Design Code.”

Stoke D’Abernon has a population of around 1,700 people, according to a 2011 census. Bringing 250 new households, potentially with two or three people in each property could be adding 500-750 people to the village.