Jockey Club plans to redevelop Sandown unanimously rejected by Elmbridge Council

Plans to redevelop Sandown were dealt a major blow on Tuesday evening when Elmbridge Borough Council members unanimously voted against the application put forward by Jockey Club Racecourses because of the impact it would have on the green belt.

The Jockey Club’s plan for significant redevelopment work at Sandown, announced last year, included a six-storey 150-bedroom hotel and the redevelopment of staff accommodation, the stables, paddock area and pre-parade ring. The project was due to be funded by the creation of 318 apartments and homes across "five small, discrete pockets of residential development" on the outskirts of the track.

Two public exhibitions were held in December and January, with more than 200 people attending on each occasion.

However, the proposal was unanimously rejected by all 17 council members at a special planning meeting on Tuesday, despite officers recommending its approval.

In their report, officers concluded that the "cumulative benefits arising from the scheme clearly outweigh the identified harm and therefore very special circumstances required to justify the development in the Green Belt do exist".

The council received a total of 671 letters of objection against the application with concerns the development would impact the green belt, increase traffic volumes and not fit in with the character of the local area. There were also 85 letters of support submitted, although 79 per cent of these came from addresses outside of the borough.

A Jockey Club spokesperson said: "We’re disappointed that our planning application to enhance Sandown Park has not been approved by Council members, despite recommendation for its approval from officers.

A site map of the proposed plans for the redevelopment at Sandown

"Our proposal is a really important one for Sandown Park’s future competitiveness and the role it plays in the borough. Its track, stables, grandstand and other facilities need significant investment.

"Our proposal would achieve this and provide a range of community benefits through development on five small pockets of land around the edge of the racecourse, which would also provide Elmbridge with much-needed quality smaller homes.

"We have listened carefully to feedback throughout this process and will now review our options before deciding on our next steps.”

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