Flats approved despite concerns over Box Hill view

The seven-storey block in Dorking will add 126 new affordable homes to Mole Valley's stock

A seven-storey block of flats for affordable rent has been approved in Dorking, despite concerns it would blight historic views from Box Hill.

Developers Clarion Housing Group will demolish the existing office and residential buildings at the vacant Regent House.

The plans, which were approved unanimously on 7 August, will add 126 new affordable homes to the borough.

The National Trust, Surrey Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and neighbours objected to the proposals.

They claimed it would have an adverse impact on the environment and its size would be "harmful" to views from Box Hill.

Officers told the meeting the council was behind its housing targets and the affordable housing on offer meant it was hard not to recommend the proposals.

The homes will be spread across two blocks with shops on the ground floor.

All of the flats will be for affordable rent, where homes are let at least 20% below local market rents or let at rates set between market rents and social rents.

There are 640 names on Mole Valley District Council’s housing waiting list, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Need for homes

Lib Dem councillor Monica Weller said she was "particularly interested" in the National Trust's case "about the view from Box Hill".

"But seeing the proposal from the planning officer and the photographs I think there is a limit to how much we can protect these views weighed against the need for homes," she added.

Andrew Holden, speaking on behalf of a number of residents in Lincoln Road and the surrounding area, said a development with fewer floors could still provide a large number of homes while minimising the impact on the area.

He told the meeting: “To avoid this slippery slope leading to irreversible harm, its important that councillors draw a clear line in the sand of what the scale of development is appropriate in this area.”

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