West Molesey: Residents' fears over industrial site redevelopment

Residents say redevelopment of the industrial site will lead to increased noise and traffic levels

West Molesey residents are fighting council-backed plans to redevelop part of an industrial estate in Surrey.

Concerns have been raised after developer Logicor was granted planning permission by Elmbridge Borough Council (EBC) for six buildings at the Molesey Industrial Estate.

Residents said the plans would lead to increased noise and traffic levels and included some night time operations.

EBC said the development would create jobs and improve the area.

The council has received 28 letters and two petitions against the application.

Residents' spokesman Terrence Goff said: "This is a major redevelopment which impacts not only on the immediate residents but Molesey and the surrounding area.

"Given the impact this application will have on the local area it is felt there should have been a wider consultation and more time to respond."

The council said the scheme would create over 200 jobs and return a vacant site back into use, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Conservative councillor Harrison Allman-Varty said: "I'm surprised that the residents won't welcome the investment.

"I don't think it's unreasonable to say that they live next to an industrial estate and so if they don't like it then they shouldn't have lived next to an industrial estate."

Councillor Judy Sarsby from the Liberal Democrat group said: "You are entitled to the quiet enjoyment of your own home so to say: 'Well if you live by a pub and suddenly the pub is taken over as a rave joint you've got no reason to object', I rather feel, and I actually sat on a licensing committee for that one so know it happens, I rather feel that's not fair."

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