The long running saga of the Tesco site, on the former Government land by Tolworth A3 roundabout has reached the next stage, with a planning application for residential units. Over a year ago they finally gave up on trying to get a superstore on the site, following a 10 year campaign by local Liberal Democrat Councillors and residents.

The brief description of the plans are: “Part full/ part outline ‘Hybrid application’;(outline element seeking approval of layout, access and landscaping) comprising buildings ranging from 3 to 18 storeys in height, providing 705 residential dwellings (Use Class C3), and a mixture of Classes A1/A3/D1/D2/B1floorspace to include a 262 sqm convenience store, a doctors surgery and day nursery) with associated car park.”

This should be good news, but squashing 705 units which are mostly 1 and 2 bed flats onto the site is not what is needed in the area.  It will increase traffic at the roundabout and not provide the family houses that the area needs.

What makes it worse is that only 13% of the proposed dwellings will be classed as “affordable” which falls woefully short of the Council’s policy for 50%. Those that signed our petition asking the Council to compulsory purchase the site to ensure maximum affordable housing is built will be disappointed with this planning application.

says Cllr Yogan Yoganathan

Full details and plans can be seen on the Council website and any resident wishing to comment on this application should do so by 7th May 2015.