Wildlife Circus

  It’s that time of year when Seething Wells features at council meetings (see below) and the SWAG AGM 10.3.26. News in brief  Kingston Council expects a speculative (“chancer”) planning application for around 300 homes , following recent changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)  [Although the owners have been trying to sell the land since last year]. SWAG has proposed an alternative plan : approximately 20 homes built on the existing hard-standing area (mandated at EGM May 2025). However, there is concern that the Mayor may not support such a small scheme , on the basis that if Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) is to be released for development, the expectation would be for a much larger housing yield . There was also discussion at the meeting about wider strategic issues affecting the area, including the River Thames Scheme and the future of the Thames Barrier , both noted as relevant to flood management and longer-term planning along the Thames corridor....

                                                                  One of two ponds Chessington G.C. 2018 A planning application has been lodged to develop the former Chessington Golf Club site with 256 units between 2.5 and 4 stories high on 11.6 Ha of land. Objections need to be lodged before 9.2.26. Paragraph 2.1 of the Design and Access Statement, describes the site as a “poorly performing Green Belt site” , on the basis that it is enclosed on three sides by development. Enclosure by development does not , in itself, indicate poor Green Belt performance. Under the NPPF (2024), the assessment turns on how land performs against the five Green Belt purposes , particularly openness, prevention of sprawl, and safeguarding the countryside from encroachment. Sites at settlement edges commonly perform these functions pr...