Residents oppose Redhill high-rise project

The development is planned on a brownfield site

Plans for a high-rise building in Redhill have been met with more than 1,900 letters of objection from angry residents.

Developer Solum Regeneration has proposed to build two tower blocks of 255 homes on the car park next to the Surrey town's train station.

Members of the East Redhill Residents' Association (ERRA) said the high-rises would be an "ugly blot" and worsen congestion.

But developers said they would regenerate the area and save green belt land.

Under the proposals, one of the blocks would range from 10-15 storeys and the other between 7-14 storeys.

The ERRA say the project would create a snowball effect with developers building higher and higher towers.

They instead want what they call more "sympathetic structures" to enhance the town, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The local residents' association raised several concerns with the plans

Tim Shaw, senior development director at Kier Property, which is helping build the homes, said: “The aim of the project is to transform Redhill Station area."

He claimed it would boost the local economy and that building on a brownfield site would protect nearby countryside.

Nearly half of the planned homes will be one-bedroom apartments (122), and there would be a further 18 studio apartments.

None of the homes would be sold for below market value as is not financially viable, application documents say.

Developer Solum says it is “exploring” ways to deliver affordable housing within the scheme.

Campaigners raised concerns the proposed development will increase traffic around the station by the A25, Princess Way and Marketfield Way.

Mr Shaw said placing homes inside Redhill, rather than on the edge of town, would remove 5,400 miles of car travel from local roads every day.

The application is due to be sent to Reigate and Banstead Borough Council's planning committee later this year.

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