Epsom and Ewell Planning Committee

On the evening of Thursday, 18^th March, I went to the Town Hall to see Democracy in action. As you will have realised, my visit did have a point – I was interested in hearing at first hand the decision of the Planning Committee on the modified plans produced by Tom Roberts and Richard Horden for the new chapel and garden on the church site.

Tom Roberts relaxing before the Planning Meeting

Tom was going to speak at the hearing, and I met him in the Reception area, and we chatted a bit. Then I made my way to the Public Gallery, and Tom went through to the Council Chamber.

After the Councillors took their places, the Chairman opened the meeting. There were some necessary preliminaries, like approval of the minutes of the previous meeting, and the meeting got going. There was discussion as to the order that the four planning applications to be dealt with were taken, and, possibly because Tom was going to speak and he had a long trip home afterwards, our item was to be considered first.

Two councillors declared a special “interest” in our application, due to a connection with the Epsom Club, and withdrew from the meeting.

Members of the Planning Committee on their tour of inspection

A Planning Officer presented the official findings into compliance with local by-laws and the Epsom and Ewell District Wide Local Plan, and the results of the Planning Committee’s considerations of the scheme with regard to various Town Planning aspects. The Summary said:

The principle of the development of this site on the Church Street approach to the town with a new church and community hall to replace the existing facilities is acceptable in principle.

The height bulk and contemporary design of the development would be acceptable and would relate satisfactorily to the adjoining buildings and the street scene, and residential amenity would not be materially affected.

Richard Horden's model of the proposed new chapel

Tom Roberts was invited to speak; he had three minutes to make his case:

I am delighted we have arrived at a sensitive solution - as special and simple as the first Meeting House on the same site 322 years ago. The new chapel is half the footprint of the present church, linked to Unity Hall by a beautiful tranquil garden, like some of London’s secret gardens, and some of Epsom’s gardens. Regularly the frontage to the present church can be gridlocked by half-a-dozen cars (potentially dangerous when manoeuvring and reversing out). The same space in front of the church as now would be brick paved and operate as a smooth unobstructed drive-in for wedding cars, hearse, disability access and servicing of the building. This open frontage will create an elegant setting. In this town centre location it will be good to encourage use of public transport, and safer and more efficient car parking in the adjacent town car parks. Up until the 1960s there was a garden in front of the church.

The new building has been, and is being, designed by the distinguished international architect Richard Horden, who has produced one of Epsom’s most important buildings - namely, the Queen’s Stand - bringing admiration and respect to Epsom from around the world. Indeed, it was approved personally by the Queen. We are now able to bring a little piece of that quality into the town.

I attended a service at Guildford Cathedral last Sunday. The sun was shining; light brought the interior to life, emphasising its elegant vertical proportions and a special sense of peace. It is a spiritual space of its own time. There is now a brief moment when we might grasp the opportunity of the same experience - but there is only a brief moment. Thank you.

Councillors then had their turn. Most of them spoke, and were very supportive. They liked the new design, said it would be a real enhancement of the area, and some were really enthusiastic about the garden – even if one councillor did wonder whether it would get sufficient light!

The matter was then put to the vote, and was passed unanimously! Well done, Tom (and Richard in absentia!)

Tom Roberts (L) and Richard Horden (R) discuss the model with Cllr Mike Arthur

As Churchill once said: “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. but it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”