Newsletter - Wed 6 Mar, 2024

Headlines

• Redhill station plans amended

• Reigate Priory school next steps: planning application plus working group

• Summer start expected for Reigate fire station work

• Gatton Park Road closure continues

Redhill station plans amended

• Illustration of the revised station front

The highest part of one of the two blocks at the proposed Redhill station redevelopment has been lowered from 19 to 15 storeys, in updated plans (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) filed by the developer.

The height reduction is said to bring the main tower below the tree-line as viewed from Gatton Hall.  

That change, and other alterations to the design of the flats and the wider station, have been made in response to council and public feedback.

The amendments mean the number of flats has been cut from 280 to 255.

Car parking for residents remains at just 27 spaces, “consistent with the site’s sustainability and promotion of sustainable travel”.

• Changes to the block design include height, material and balconies

As previously proposed, the main station drop-off will be moved to the back of the station, but further changes have been made to both front and back entrances, including improvements to how pedestrians, cyclists and bus users access the station.

For passengers parking at the station, at the front and rear of the site there’ll be a total of 350 spaces, as proposed initially, but down from the 389 currently available. 

• Inside the proposed main entrance, as revised

The project also includes ground floor retail space with flexible uses.

“The aim of this scheme will always be to deliver the most-high-quality scheme possible for future residents, existing rail users and the local community,” a letter summarising the changes (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) says.

The developer, Solum, is a joint venture between Network Rail and Keir Property.

As well as the station improvements, previous papers have said that Solum will be liable to contribute to the Community Infrastructure Levy, which is used to fund improvement projects in the borough.  

However, the developer still says affordable housing would not be financially viable - but is happy to agree to a later council review to check whether this has changed.

The various amendments are being consulted on again, ahead of the borough council deciding the application.

Solum obtained planning permission in 2013 for a different scheme which would have created 150 properties, a multi-storey car park and a supermarket.

That scheme also did not have any affordable housing, again on the basis that this was not financially viable.

• The rear of the station, as revised (all images from design and access addendum part 1 (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) and part 2 (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) prepared by PRP)

Reigate Priory school next steps: planning application plus working group

• Reigate Priory Junior School’s current home in Priory Park