Plans for new homes near railway line approved

The plans for 68 new homes were approved by Guildford Borough Council

Plans for 68 new homes near a Surrey railway line have been given the green light after fears over the location of a planned children's playground were resolved.

The four hectare site at Foreman Road, Ash, currently used as a construction site, was brought to Guildford Borough Council's planning committee in March, but a decision was deferred.

Councillors were worried about putting a play area near a railway line and road, so arranged another site visit before making a decision, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

About 0.7 hectares of public open space will also be carved out for the new residents by Foreman Road.

Developers Persimmon Homes said 40% of the houses would be affordable.

The majority will be one, two and three bedroom homes, with six having four bedrooms, according to the planning documents.

Plans also include 142 car parking spaces.

The plans were approved on Wednesday for the site, which is just south of the Ash road bridge.

Councillors previously raised concerns about putting a playground for young children next to a railway line with trains "hurtling down the track at 120 miles an hour".

But at Wednesday's meeting, councillor Joanna Shaw said she was "totally satisfied" with what she had seen on the development site trip and her "mind has been put at rest".

She said: "There are plenty of homes with gardens back on to railway lines."

No concerns were raised by Network Rail, Environmental Health or any of the legal consultees, documents stated.