Hersham building plans thrown out by planners

Nearly 3,000 letters of objection to the plans were sent to the council

Plans to build a six-storey building and 109 apartments in Hersham have been turned down.

The scheme by Quadrant Repurpose, for the site of Hersham Green Shopping Centre, was rejected by planners at Elmbridge Borough Council on Wednesday.

More than 3,000 letters of objection had been sent to the authority.

Quadrant said its plans would have supported "the future vitality of the centre".

Waitrose had also objected to the proposal due to a loss of parking, and officers had recommended the application be turned down due to its lack of affordable housing.

Susan Mealor, from the Save Hersham Centre group, told BBC Radio Surrey: "There is a surplus already of this category of housing in Elmbridge.

"There's insufficient parking for residents. It overlooks adjacent neighbours. It's too high, too dense and it affects the light."

A spokesperson for Quadrant Repurpose said the developer was "deeply disappointed" the council "rejected our plans to inject £6 million of investment into Hersham Green Shopping Centre".

They said the plans would have supported "the future vitality of the centre, alongside delivering new homes to meet the boroughs growing housing needs".

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