Surbiton residents have voiced their concerns regarding a planning application for The Ranch, 8 Southborough Close, which proposes the demolition of the existing property and the construction of two new family homes. The application, reference number 25/00232/FUL, was discussed at the Surbiton Neighbourhood Committee meeting on 15 July 2025.
The Director of Planning and Regeneration has recommended that the committee agree to approve the application, subject to conditions, and to delegate authority to the Director to finalise the recommended conditions as set out in the Public Reports Pack including such amendments, additions and/or deletions as the Director Planning and Regeneration (in consultation with the Chair of Surbiton Neighbourhood Committee considers reasonably necessary. However, the application has been brought before the committee due to the receipt of five objections.
Objections and Concerns
The council received 12 representations, with 7 objecting and 2 supporting the scheme. Objectors raised concerns about design, appearance, overdevelopment, adverse impact on the conservation area, parking and traffic, overbearing impact and loss of light, impact on trees, loss of a single-storey dwelling, lack of affordable housing, and potential subsidence issues.
Heritage Officer's Assessment
The council's Heritage Officer advised that:
The proposed scheme responds well to the character of the existing conservation area to the existing variety of external materials and the proposed architectural features such as pitched roofs, with the inclusion of hips and gables. The use of projecting gables to the front elevation reflects the existing character of the conservation area. Proposed fenestration especially to the front elevation should emphasize strong vertical proportions with the use of glazing bars.
Traffic and Parking
The council's Neighbourhood Traffic Engineer noted that the site is located within a Public Transport Accessibility Level (PTAL) of 0, which indicates very poor access to the public transport network. However, the engineer considered the parking provision acceptable, as the proposal would reduce the existing number of car parking spaces from 10 to 4, with an electric vehicle charging point for each dwelling.
Planning History
The planning history of the site includes a previous application (23/02937/FUL) for the same development that was refused on 12 April 2024, and subsequently dismissed at appeal. The grounds for refusal related to design and appearance and impact on the Southborough Conservation Area. Another application (23/00750/FUL) for the same development was refused on 22 June 2023.
The key amendments in the new application include replacing the flat roofs with pitched roofs, and the change of materials to red brick and plain tiles.
Five-Year Housing Supply
The report pack notes that the council cannot demonstrate a five-year supply of deliverable housing sites, as required by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). As such, planning permission should be granted unless any adverse impacts would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits. This means that the planning committee must weigh the potential harms of the development against the need for more housing in the area when making their decision.
