Meadow Croft 101 Saunders Lane Woking Surrey GU22 0NT

1. 1.The proposed extensions by reason of their bulk, mass and visual prominence would result in disproportionate additions over and above the size of the original building and would therefore constitute inappropriate development within the Green Belt, which is, by definition, harmful to the Green Belt. Furthermore, the proposed extensions would lead to a loss of openness of the Green Belt by reason of their positioning and their scale and massing. No very special circumstances have been advanced which would clearly outweigh the harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, and loss of openness, nor is it considered that such very special circumstances would exist in this instance. The proposed development is therefore contrary to Policy CS6 'Green Belt' of the Woking Core Strategy (2012), Policy DM13 'Buildings in and adjacent to the Green Belt' of the Development Management Policies Development Plan Document (DMP DPD) (2016) and Section 13 'Protecting Green Belt land' of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (December 2024) (most notably paragraphs 153 and 154).
2. 2.The proposed two-storey front and side extensions and roof alterations by reason of their design, materials, visual prominence and cumulative size and scale over and above the existing dwelling would read as a harmful and incongruous series of additions. This would particularly be the case at roof level, whereby the proposed crown roof enlargement, by reason of its substantial span, poor design and visibility in the streetscene would result in the appearance of a bulky, top-heavy form which would fail to pay regard to the existing modest form of the dwelling. The proposed extensions when taken as a whole would lack subservience and would result in a house which appears uncharacteristically and disproportionately overdeveloped. The proposed alterations to the facing materials including the application of render and the replacement fenestration would further fail to pay regard to the existing appearance of the dwelling which retains locally distinctive external facing materials, in line with the majority of surrounding residential dwellings. The proposed extensions and alterations would thereby fail to respect and make a positive contribution to the host dwelling, street scene and the character of the area within which they would be situated and would result in harm to the character and appearance of the dwelling and wider area. The proposed development therefore falls contrary to the Woking Core Strategy (2012) Policies CS21 'Design' and CS24 'Woking's Landscape and Townscape', Supplementary Planning Document 'Design' (2015) and the provisions of Section 12 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2024) (particularly paragraph 135).
3. 3.The proposed two-storey front and side extensions and alterations to the roof by reason of their resultant size, scale, positioning and proximity to both the east and west property boundaries, would give rise to significant harm to the occupants of both The Maltings 99 Saunders Lane (to the east) and Little Windrush, 133 Saunders Lane (to the west) by reason of the onset of an overbearing impact and loss of outlook towards the rear patio and westernmost ground floor rear window serving the dining room (a primary habitable room) of The Maltings 99 Saunders Lane (to the east), and the easternmost ground and first floor front windows serving a sitting room and bedroom respectively at Little Windrush, 133 Saunders Lane (to the west). The proposed development would therefore significantly and severely diminish the amenity of both The Maltings 99 Saunders Lane (to the east) and Little Windrush, 133 Saunders Lane (to the west) and is therefore contrary to Policy CS21 'Design' of the Woking Core Strategy (2012), Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD's) Design (2015) and Outlook, Amenity, Privacy and Daylight (2022) and the National Planning Policy Framework (2024).

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

GU22 0NT

Application type

Full

Scale / size

Small

Date validated

17 June 2026

Consultation expiry

7 July 2026

Architect profile

SIMON BEST ASSOCIATES LIMITED

Documents

18