Template:Courier-MAR-24-3b
CAR PARK SHOCK SPARKS CO-OPERATION
The proposal for a supermarket on the site of the Torrington Lodge car park has been the most contentious planning issue in our village for a very long time. Claygate Parish Council began monitoring events in November 2022, although at that time Elmbridge Borough Council said it would reveal only the barest outline until commercial confidentially allowed.
Real information only came to light last summer and it quickly became clear that many residents were not happy. The Parish Council held a public meeting on July 21, at which the extent of unhappiness became clear: the Council responded to more than 500 letters of objection and also heavily lobbied Elmbridge Borough Council, asking several times for proper consultation. At the same time, a “Claygate Can Do Better” campaign was created.
In the face of this opposition, Elmbridge said at its Cabinet meeting on September 27 that it had decided to withdraw from negotiations with Kilo Properties Ltd and Marks and Spencer plc. It further undertook to engage in a broad consultation with Claygate residents. Since then, “Claygate Can Do Better” has become “Claygate: The Way Forward” and has also been engaging with Elmbridge. Claygate Parish Council undertook at its meeting last November to work with Claygate: The Way Forward. Both organisations are waiting for the Borough Council to bring forward the details of its proposed consultation.
