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The Planning Inspectorate has allowed the appeal by developer, Goldsworth Road Development LLP, regarding its planning application for the land to the north and south of Goldsworth Road, Woking (appeal ref: APP/A3655/W/21/3276474). This means that planning permission has been granted for the ‘EcoWorld’ development.
The decision, published by the Planning Inspectorate on 10 January 2022, grants the developer planning permission for: ‘demolition of the existing buildings and redevelopment of the site for a phased mixed-use scheme, comprising 929 residential units (Class C3), communal residential and operational spaces, commercial uses (Classes A1/A2/A3/A4/B1/D1/D2) at ground floor and homeless shelter (sui generis) within five blocks of varying heights of between nine and 37 storeys (including rooftop amenity) to the north and south sides of the site together with hard and soft landscaping including public realm works, highway alterations to Goldsworth Road, car parking, cycle parking, bin storage, ancillary facilities and plant.’
The appeal was made under section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 against a refusal to grant planning permission (application reference: PLAN/2020/0568) by Woking Borough Council’s Planning Committee at its meeting on 12 January 2021.
The independent planning inquiry, led by the Planning Inspectorate, was held between 30 November to 3 December and 7 December 2021 at Woking Borough Council’s Civic Offices. Site visits were made by the inspector on 29 November and 1 to 3 December 2021. View the planning inquiry schedule and associated documents.
View the inspector’s report online. To search the website for the report, enter the reference ‘3276474’ in the ‘Search a case’ function.
The Planning Inspectorate deals with planning appeals, national infrastructure planning applications, examinations of local plans and other planning-related and specialist casework in England. It is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
Giorgio Framalicco, Woking Borough Council’s Director of Planning, said: “The decision by the independent Planning Inspector to allow the EcoWorld appeal means that planning permission has been granted for the mixed-use development along Goldsworth Road. We are committed to working closely with the developer to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum and we deliver the best outcomes for local residents.”