A public inquiry will be held next month into the decisions of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council to refuse planning approval for Guild Living plans for a high storey, high density, urban retirement community within Epsom.
 
Two separate applications for Guild Living’s proposals for the ex-hospital land in Epsom have been to the Council’s Planning Committee. On both occasions, councillors refused planning approval.
 
Guild Living have exercised their right to appeal against the Council’s refusal of both applications to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.  
 
An Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State has now confirmed that the two planning appeals will be decided together at a virtual public inquiry, which is scheduled to begin on 17 August.
 
Councillor Monica Coleman, chair of the Council’s Planning Committee, said “These proposals led to one of the largest number of responses to a development proposal in the history of Epsom & Ewell and we received hundreds of objections.  
 
“The council decided to refuse these applications based on planning concerns and planning merit. The inquiry gives us the opportunity to have the objections heard in front of an independent body. The final decision whether this development can proceed will be for the government inspector.

“There is little doubt that this will be one of the most significant planning decisions to impact the borough in a very long time”.

All information regarding the two appeals and the public inquiry can be found on the council website:  
https://www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/residents/planning/epsom-general-hospital-public-inquiry

The public inquiry can be streamed live via the Planning Inspectorate’s website: www.youtube.com/channel/UCQqDetL1R5aRgbNm8PDViNw