Save Esher's Greenbelt - Say No to development on Sandown Park

The Jockey Club proposes to build 310 flats (in blocks 4-6 storeys high) and a 150 bed hotel around the race course. The whole of Sandown Park is in the Green Belt, and we do not believe this development should be allowed.  

We are a group of neighbours launching a campaign to fight the proposals and raise awareness. 

We know the Council is under pressure to find more sites for houses.  However, it remains the case there is a presumption AGAINST new development on Green Belt land unless it can be shown there are very special circumstances.  

The Jockey Club say their 'special circumstance' is to upgrade facilities at Sandown Park to keep the racecourse viable.  We dispute this.  The Jockey Club has doubled its revenues over 10 years to £200 million in 2018, creating its largest-ever profit of £44.8 million.

Our roads are already gridlocked for much of the day, particularly around the racecourse.  310 dwellings and  their related traffic journeys will have a very negative impact on our overstretched traffic system.

Sandown Park is strategically important and strongly performing Green Belt. We believe one of the key things that makes Esher special is our open spaces.  To build blocks of 4-6 storeys on this open space would destroy the semi-rural feel of our town for ever.

It would also set a very dangerous precedent.  If Elmbridge were to accept the loss of well performing Green Belt, where will it end? What if the Jockey Club want more money-making facilities, do we continue to pay for it by allowing further ill-conceived and out-of-character housing schemes right around the race course?  

Other Greenbelt sites in Elmbridge will also be at much greater risk from developers once this precedent is set.  

Spelthorne Council has robustly defended Kempton Park and prevented it from being taken out of the Green Belt to be developed.  It is now the turn of Elmbridge to stand up to the Jockey Club and resist these completely inappropriate proposals.

PLEASE SUPPORT US and SIGN OUR PETITION TO SAY NO TO THIS DEVELOPMENT AND SAVE OUR GREEN BELT.

Thank you for your support. 

Linda Stotesbury (local resident)    Contact the author of the petition