The Planning and Regulatory Committee of Surrey County Council met on Wednesday 28 October 2026.

New Alternative Provision School in Walton-on-Thames

The committee considered a proposal for the construction of a new 60-place, short-stay alternative provision school for pupils aged 11 to 16, located at land at Thamesfield North, Terrace Road, Walton-on-Thames. This new facility is intended to replace two existing, undersized, and dilapidated school premises in Hersham and Staines.

The application, which was recommended for approval by officers, was discussed at length, with significant public interest and detailed questioning from committee members.

Arguments for the proposal:

• Educational Need: Surrey County Council has a statutory duty to provide education for pupils who cannot attend mainstream schools. The existing facilities are inadequate and likely to become unusable within two years. The new school will address a clear and growing need for alternative provision, providing an additional 15 places beyond the current capacity and consolidating services for improved efficiency.
• Green Belt Considerations: While the site is within the Green Belt, officers concluded it constituted grey belt land, meaning it does not fundamentally undermine the purposes of the Green Belt. This was based on the site's location adjacent to existing built-up areas and the presence of natural barriers like the River Thames and reservoirs.
• Sustainable Location: The site was deemed to be in a sustainable location, well-connected to the catchment area it will serve, with some sustainable travel options available.
• Design and Amenity: The proposed single-storey modular building was considered to be appropriately designed, using materials that complement the surrounding suburban character. Measures were included to mitigate potential impacts on neighbouring amenity, including noise and air quality, with conditions to ensure these are managed.
• Flood Risk and Drainage: The site is in Flood Zone 1, indicating a low risk of flooding. The proposed development includes a sustainable drainage strategy to manage surface water runoff and prevent increased flood risk.
• Ecology and Biodiversity: The proposal includes landscaping and biodiversity enhancements, aiming for a net gain in biodiversity. Conditions were recommended to ensure the protection and enhancement of ecological interests.
• Highway Safety and Traffic: While concerns were raised about traffic capacity on Terrace Road, the council's Transport Development Planning team raised no objection, subject to conditions. They concluded that the additional traffic generated by the school would be a negligible increase and adequately managed. A new access and egress to Terrace Road, along with other highway improvements, were part of the proposal.

Arguments against/Concerns raised:

• Traffic and Highway Capacity: Local residents and Councillor Rachel Lake expressed significant concerns about the capacity of Terrace Road and surrounding junctions to handle the additional traffic from the school, especially in conjunction with other nearby educational facilities and developments. Concerns were raised about potential congestion, highway safety, and the impact on local roads due to parking.
• Green Belt Inappropriateness: Councillor Lake argued that the site was in the Green Belt and questioned the appropriateness of developing it, suggesting rebuilding on existing sites.
• Flooding and Contamination: Concerns were raised about potential increases in surface water run-off and flood risk, as well as the historical use of the site as a landfill.
• Noise and Pollution: Residents raised concerns about potential noise from the MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area) and traffic, as well as air quality impacts from construction and operational traffic.
• Overdevelopment and Cumulative Impact: Concerns were voiced about the cumulative impact of multiple educational facilities in the area and the strain on local infrastructure.
• Cycle Parking: Councillor Louise Morales questioned whether the proposed minimum of six cycle parking spaces would be sufficient, given the potential for increased exercise needs for some pupils and the possibility of higher-than-expected cycle usage.
• School Access and Safety: Questions were raised about the safety of the proposed access and egress points, particularly in relation to the volume of traffic and the specific needs of the pupils attending an alternative provision school.

Decision:

The committee agreed with the recommendation to grant planning permission for the development, subject to a comprehensive list of conditions designed to mitigate potential impacts on highways, drainage, contamination, landscaping, ecology, and noise. These conditions included requirements for detailed schemes to be submitted and approved before development commences, and for ongoing monitoring and maintenance.

The committee also noted the date of the next meeting as Wednesday, 25 November 2026.