Former Molesey Sewage Farm site

This site, bordering Molesey Heath and accessed from Approach Road, is currently allocated in the Elmbridge Local Plan for housing development.There is no logic to this position.If you look at a map you will see that all the land to the south of the River Mole/Dead River line is in Green Belt – except for this area. There is no obvious border, and if forms an integral part of Molesey Heath. There is no rationale for treating it separately.

It appears that this land was allocated for housing some years ago to meet some quota – but it was never anticipated that actual development would take place, as the land is technically contaminated below ground level. The Local Plan specifically recognises this, and states that no development can proceed without a full investigation of the extent of contamination and the cost of remedying it.

There are unfortunately moves afoot within the Council to progress the development of this site. Whilst we fully appreciate the need for affordable housing, however, the MRA believes that this site is wholly inappropriate for housing, and we are committed pressing for measures to safeguard its current use – preferably by getting in incorporated into the Green Belt at the earliest opportunity.

Published on Wednesday, January 28th, 2004
in General Interest