The Spelthorne Council Planning Committee was scheduled to meet to consider planning applications for a battery energy storage system, a house in multiple occupation, and changes to a previously approved planning permission. The committee was also scheduled to note the details of planning appeals submitted and decisions received.

Land North-East of Eco Park, Charlton Lane, Shepperton

The committee was scheduled to consider planning application 24/01112/FUL for the construction and operation of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a capacity of up to 100 megawatts electrical output and a total capacity of circa 200 megawatt hours, including associated site access, a partial cable route, and other related works on land north-east of Eco Park, Charlton Lane, Shepperton.

The proposed site is approximately 3.58 hectares, located on a restored, landfilled former gravel workings site, designated as Green Belt land. Access to the site is planned via the existing track from Charlton Lane. The proposal includes the erection of 50 battery container units, each 12.2m long, 2.44m wide, and 3.19m high, containing an industrial lithium-ion battery, along with grid compliance equipment, switchgear housing, and security measures.

The report pack noted that the proposed development would take energy from the electricity grid when demand is low or supply is high, and feed it back into the grid when demand is higher or supply is lower, providing support balancing services to the National Grid.

The report pack stated that the proposal was considered to represent 'inappropriate development' within the Green Belt, resulting in a harmful loss of openness and conflicting with Green Belt purposes. However, it also noted changes to government policy supporting facilities such as a BESS to support the delivery of low carbon and renewable energy. The report pack stated that the council had declared a Climate Emergency, and that appeal decisions have demonstrated a shift in policy towards the acceptability of such facilities.

The report pack stated that the Environment Agency had removed their objection regarding flooding and drainage matters.

The report pack noted concerns raised regarding fire hazards and health and safety issues, but stated that there was not sufficient evidence to justify refusal on these grounds, as no objection had been raised by the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, nor the Health and Safety Executive.

The report pack stated that a Very Special Circumstances Report (VSCR) had been submitted to support the proposal, highlighting national policies supporting such proposals. The VSCR listed six justifications:

1. The need for renewable energy generation and its role in meeting the challenge of climate change.
2. The requirement for the BESS in this location and the lack of alternative sites.
3. Support for the rural economy.
4. Wider environmental benefits including planned biodiversity net gain.
5. The temporary and reversible nature of the proposal.
6. Community benefits.

The report pack stated that the cumulative benefits that would arise from the proposal amount to the very special circumstances which clearly outweigh the harm to the Green Belt and any other harm and therefore the proposal is considered acceptable.

299 Feltham Hill Road, Ashford

The committee was scheduled to consider planning application 25/00710/FUL for a proposed roof extension with ridge height increase and two side-facing dormers at 299 Feltham Hill Road, Ashford, to facilitate a change of use from a single dwelling (Use Class C3¹) to a house in multiple occupancy (HMO) for seven occupants (Sui Generis²).

The application was 'called in' by Councillor Katherine Rutherford due to concerns about inadequate internal communal space and external amenity space.

The report pack stated that the application property is a six-bedroom detached bungalow with accommodation in the roof space and an outbuilding in the rear garden. The site is located on the northern side of Feltham Hill Road surrounded by residential properties.

The report pack noted that, according to the General Permitted Development Order (2015), the property could be used as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) for six residents without planning permission. The current proposal requires planning permission as it proposes an HMO for up to seven occupants, resulting in one additional resident than what could be carried out without the need for planning permission.

The report pack stated that the proposal also comprises a roof extension with a ridge height increase and dormers in both side elevations, and that the proposed roof extension is considered acceptable in design and would not appear out of character in the street scene.

The report pack stated that the ground floor layout would provide a kitchen and communal living area, and that the outbuilding and large rear garden would provide an adequate level of amenity for future occupiers.

The report pack stated that the proposal is not considered to amount to an intensity of use that would lead to a harmful impact on the amenity of neighbouring residential properties, and that the County Highways Authority raises no objection to the proposal and the level of parking is considered to be adequate.

18 Wellington Road, Ashford

The committee was scheduled to consider planning application 25/00806/RVC for a variation of Condition 3 (Approved Plans) relating to planning permission 24/01542/FUL at 18 Wellington Road, Ashford. Permission 24/01542/FUL was for roof alterations and extensions to create habitable roof space, with the insertion of a front-facing dormer and a rear-facing dormer, the erection of a single-storey side extension and a single-storey rear extension, changes to fenestration, and the extension of a dropped kerb, all to facilitate the subdivision of the property into two flats with associated parking and amenity space. The application also sought to retrospectively regularise changes to the single-storey side extension to reduce the set in from the boundary.

The application was 'called in' by Councillor Neall on grounds of the impact to neighbouring properties, notably the loss of light to No. 20 Wellington Road's flank windows.

The report pack stated that the work relating to permission 24/01542/FUL is substantially complete, but the single-storey side extension, as built, is not in accordance with the approved plans, with the side extension having been built 0.65 metres (65cm) wider.

The report pack stated that the changes to the side extension from that previously approved are considered to have an acceptable impact on design and character of the area and the amenity of neighbouring dwellings.

Planning Appeals

The committee was scheduled to note details of the Planning Appeals submitted and decisions received between 08 August 2025 and 03 September 2025, as detailed in the Planning Appeals Report.

The report pack included details of three appeals that had been started:

• 25/00704/PDH - 271 Staines Road West Ashford TW15 1RT - Prior approval notification for a single storey rear extension.
• 25/00677/HOU - 4 The Vale Sunbury-on Thames TW16 7SD - Erection of two storey side and rear extensions and single storey rear extension.
• 25/00208/TPO - Rowland Hill Almshouses Feltham Hill Road Ashford - TPO264/2020- T1 (indicated within the submitted location plan as Pine Tree)- Monterey Pine- to fell (no work proposed to the Yew Tree-T2).

The report pack also included details of six appeal decisions that had been made:

• 23/00830/TPO - 7 Thames Gate Laleham Staines-upon Thames - APP/TPO/Z3635/9874 TPO14/STA/T12 - 1 x Scotts Pine to remove the tree to ground level and replant with similar species - Appeal Dismissed.
• 24/01402/FUL - Land Outside 73 - 75 High Street Staines-upon Thames TW18 4PP - Installation of digital communications kiosk - Appeal Dismissed.
• 24/01403/ADV - Land Outside 73 - 75 High Street Staines-upon Thames TW18 4PP - Advertisement consent for digital signage on communication kiosk - Appeal Dismissed.
• 24/01404/FUL - Land Outside Elmsleigh Shopping Centre, South Street Staines-Upon Thames - Installation of digital communications kiosk - Appeal Allowed.
• 24/01405/ADV - Land Outside Elmsleigh Shopping Centre, South Street Staines-Upon Thames - Advertisement consent for digital signage on communication kiosk - Appeal Allowed.
• 24/01406/FUL - Land Outside 40-42 Church Road Ashford TW15 2UY - Installation of digital communications kiosk - Appeal Dismissed.
• 24/01407/ADV - Land Outside 40-42 Church Road Ashford TW15 2UY - Advertisement consent for digital signage on communication kiosk - Appeal Dismissed.
• 25/00199/RVC - 35 The Avenue Sunbury-on Thames TW16 5HY - Variation of Condition 2 (approved plans) imposed upon planning permission 24/00369/FUL for the proposed replacement dwelling - Appeal Allowed.

The report pack also noted that there were ongoing hearings for:

• 24/00203/FUL - Land South East Of The Ranges (addressed As 1A Priory Stables) Chertsey Road - Change of use of the land for the stationing of 6 mobile static homes for Gypsy / Traveller occupation.
• 23/01264/RVC - The Paddocks, 235A Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor - Removal of conditions 2 (temporary consent) and 3 (personal permission) of planning application ref 19/01372/FUL for the material change of use of hay-barn and feed room, including dayroom and toilet facilities, to a single dwelling house and retention of 3 loose box, stable feed store and tack room.
• 22/00231/ENF_A - Land South East Of The Ranges (addressed As 1A Priory Stables) Chertsey Road - Appeal against serving of an Enforcement Notice.