Vandalised car park could become new flat block

A former Surrey town centre car park which was closed due to anti-social behaviour could be transformed into a five-storey block of flats.

The multi-storey car park in Church Road, Ashford closed in June 2022, after a series of incident, including youths reportedly lighting fires and vandalising the building.

Spelthorne Borough Council say the plans, which go before its planning committee on Wednesday, will give the site a fresh start.

But neighbours have criticised the scheme for being overbearing and due to the amount of flats already in the area.

Under the plans, the car park would be demolished and replaced by the 18.3m (60ft) high block of flats, according to Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Around 42 new homes consisting of two-bedroom flats and some one-bed units would be created by the development.

No affordable housing is currently included in the scheme.

The council previously said it closed the car park due to a "shocking level of vandalism" which left it too dangerous to use.

Officers are currently recommending that the scheme is approved, stating the "benefits of replacing the disused and unattractive car park with the proposed development will clearly outweigh the impacts" of a bigger building and the neighbouring properties.

But neighbours to the town centre site are dismayed at the plans, arguing the proposed development would "dwarf" the surrounding buildings and "encroach" on the privacy of the houses to the back of the apartment block.

Objectors also raised concerns about infrastructure, claiming GP surgeries and schools are at "bursting point".

Spelthorne council, which is teetering on the edge financially after the government announced it may bring in commissioners, is still weighed down by over £1bn of debt in commercial properties.

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