Development near palace 'a festering wound'

Campaigners are angry that the government has given the green light to a housing development opposite Hampton Court Palace.

The scheme in East Molesey, Surrey, was initially rejected by Elmbridge Borough Council in 2021 for being "excessive" but was later approved by a government planning inspector.

Developers then had to seek approval from Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), due to rules over buildings near the historic palace.

Hampton Court Rescue Campaign spokesperson Andrew Roberts said the development was a "festering wound" and that "by granting consent the secretary of state has opened the floodgates for larger and more controversial schemes".

Mr Roberts said: "While many large controversial schemes ultimately bed down and gain mute acceptance once implemented, this scheme is definitely not in that camp and will be a source of permanent and visceral controversy."

The development consists of 97 homes, an 84-bedroom hotel and retail units, with car parking and landscaping.

DCMS permission was needed because the South Western Railway Act 1913 requires it for any development taller than 50 feet (15m) situated within 0.5 miles (0.8km) of any part of the palace.

The application by developers Alexpo and Network Rail for the former Jolly Boatman pub site received more than 1,800 objections and 131 letters of support.

Elmbridge Borough Council originally refused permission on the grounds the development had "excessive height and bulk" and would cause "harm to numerous heritage assets" in the area.

It previously said the inspector's decision to overturn its planning refusal was "incredibly disappointing".

Planning inspector David Prentis had previously said the development did "not appear disproportionate or overbearing" and said any change to the palace's setting "would not be harmful".

The DCMS said complaints including the impact on the palace, the viability of the scheme and local opposition were presented in the consultation but that they were "not new" and "were addressed by the planning inquiry, which approved the development".

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