An abandoned school playing field in Tadworth is a step closer to becoming a 180-home housing estate after councillors gave general approval for development last week.

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council’s planning committee gave outline consent to the application for the former site of De Burgh School in Chetwode Road, Tadworth last Wednesday, July 27.

From January 2015: Former playing fields could finally become housing estate if permission granted

However due to a change in how they receive funding for such projects, the council might face a shortfall of nearly £150,000.

A quarter of the 180 homes - 45 - would be designated affordable housing and the estate would also include parking for residents.

The development would include 45 four-bed houses, 74 three-bed houses, 22 two-bed houses, 29 two-bed flats and ten one-bed flats.

Conservative Councillor Jamie Ward said he was glad the council was getting closer to making a decision on the site.

Cllr Ward said: “Various applications have come up over the years and now we do have something I think we can work with.

“I was with two fellow councillors on Friday (July 22) with the developer and I was very impressed with what was being offered.”

Surrey Comet:
Chetwode Road, Tadworth

Surrey County Council began to charge the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) from April 1, which could result in a shortfall of about £148,000.

Andrew Benson, the planning officer responsible for the application, said the CIL would fund infrastructure contributions for the development, for example removing a central traffic island and widening the road in Chetwode Road and improving the junction with Great Tattenhams.

He added: “The CIL liability is fixed and we have to accept that.

“It may end up being a bit less. It may end up being a bit more. We don’t know.”

Surrey Comet:

The site (pictured above) has not been used as a playing field since 1990 and has been allocated as a reserved site for housing since 1994.

An application for the site was first filed in December 2013, but due to delays in completing the Section 106 Agreement, the mechanism by which development proposals are made acceptable, no final decision had been made.

Surrey County Council’s adoption of CIL largely replaces the conditions set by Section 106.

Surrey Comet:

One councillor abstained from voting, while eight councillors voted to approve the outline application. Discussions between Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and Surrey County Council and the applicant, Alliance Planning, about the future of the application and the Chetwode Road site continue.

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