Residents’ fears that changing plans for student flats near a wildlife habitat would exacerbate traffic issues were allayed last night, as councillors unanimously threw out an application to allow non-students to live there.

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council’s planning committee unanimously refused an application to allow non-students to live on the future site of a 77-bed block of student flats in Mill Road, Epsom last night (Wednesday, April 12).

Councillors had approved plans for flats for students from the University of Creative Arts (UCA) in November 2015, but the applicant, Shrewsbury developers Loganberry Ltd, had sought to change it to also allow non-students to live there.

From November 2015: Epsom and Ewell borough council approves 77 student homes to be built in Mill Road near wildlife habitats

From November: 'We will fight on' vow residents over fears plans for 77 student beds will destroy wildlife habitat

The developers were not represented at the meeting, but in the application, a spokesperson wrote that UCA was no longer willing to formally agree to sign up to the units, and so “the construction of this much needed accommodation is now uncertain.”

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Julie Morris, a landscape gardener from Mill Road last night lamented that plans had expanded from an initial application for ten family homes, and questioned whether the site was “fit for purpose” now that the area was intended to provide accommodation for students.

She told the committee: “This area suffers hugely from commuter parking.

“This (development) would generate increased volumes of traffic. This whole section is single yellow line, and we would lose all that as well. “

From December 2015: Small victory for residents as Epsom and Ewell Borough Council ensure wildlife habitat for badgers next to future Mill Road homes

Approval for the student flats was given 18 months ago despite planning officers’ recommendation that it be rejected due to concerns over flood risks and upsetting local wildlife, including badgers, foxes, lizards, stag beetles and plants.

Ms Morris last night announced that residents planned to create a trust to look after the local wildlife.

She added: “It’s terribly disappointing that everything was razed to the ground.

“This is badger territory, and it’s sad that for a year or two, the creatures and wildlife have not had the benefit of that.”

Committee members unanimously approved the application to allow non-students to live in the Mill Road site.

Councillor Graham Dudley last night said: “Parking is obviously an issue. That road is totally blocked up during the day time.

“Student parking is possibly the only use for this site that I can think of that would generate much less parking.”

Your Local Guardian:
A badger cub. Pic credit: Wildlife Aid Foundation

He added: “There are badger setts there, and there should be concerns about that.”

RA Councillor Michael Arthur added: "I’m pleased that it (has been) refused."

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