Epsom and Ewell council rejected a proposal for 110 homes near Epsom Downs Racecourse.
The application, which included affordable housing and infrastructure improvements, faced significant opposition, with 374 letters and an online petition of 2,097 signatures against it.
A key objector, the Jockey Club Racecourses, raised concerns about the impact on Epsom Racecourse and its training grounds, emphasising their national importance and contribution to the local economy and heritage. They argued that the development could threaten the operational viability of these facilities, potentially compromise the safety of horses and riders and harm the racing industry’s sustainability. The Jockey Club highlighted inadequate traffic assessments, noting that the Transport Assessment failed to consider the full scope of horse movements. Increased vehicular traffic could endanger horses and riders, particularly on key routes like Bridleway 127. They suggested highway improvements, such as upgrading footpaths to bridleways and installing warning signs, to mitigate risks. Without these measures, they urged the council to refuse the application.
The Jockey Club concluded that the development would cause irreversible damage to the racing facilities, undermine safety, and conflict with planning policies, advocating for refusal unless significant concerns were addressed.
© Thames Tap (powered by ukpropertyforums.com).
This article and its contents are the intellectual property of UK Property Forums and may not be reproduced, distributed, or used in any form without prior written permission. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not constitute legal or professional advice.
