Plans to add two extra storeys to apartment block described as 'living hell'

Plans to add two extra storeys to a block of Surrey flats have been thrown out over fears it would be a "living hell" for residents. Neighbours and residents who already live in

Maynard Court in Staines hit back at the plans, saying they were “overbearing”. Owners of the site had hoped to add another eight flats to the 1980s building on Rosefield Road in Staines.

Maynard Court currently contains 33 one-bedroom apartments. Members of Spelthorne Borough Council’s planning committee rejected the application on May 28 for its height, scale, invasion of

privacy, harm to the street scene and harm to surrounding amenities. But officers warned the council’s rejection could be liable to very expensive fees if the developers take the application

to appeal. Michael Kelly, representing 28 of the 33 residents in the property, said the added floors would be “overbearing” to occupants and neighbours. He said the apartment block’s

foundations were only built for three storeys, so extra floors could create subsidence. Mark Longworth, speaking on behalf of the developers, said as the owners of the site are the

applicants, they know and understand the building's structure. The speaker claimed Maynard Court is one of the “lowest apartment blocks in the area”. Councillor Chris Bateson said the

amenity green space is being “reduced to virtually nothing” and will be “detrimental to the health and wellbeing of residents”. He added: “If this development was to go ahead, it would be a

living hell for people who live there.” Cllr Howard Williams said the proposed development of five stories is “totally out of character” and will “dwarf” other buildings. “Overflowing bins,

bad smells and even rats in the road,” were described by Cllr Williams as side effects of “persistent problems” with drains and waste collections. Over a hundred people signed a petition

against the scheme, according to Mr Kelly. Parking spaces were a key concern as currently the application proposes a total of 44 spaces including existing garages, but parking standards

would normally need 58 to match the number of flats. The applicant's agent claimed the site is a “highly sustainable location” as it is a stone’s throw away from Staines town centre,

the train station and bus stops. The current issue of overflowing waste will be dealt with by adding extra bins and using a private bin collector, Mr Longworth said. Despite officers

recommending the scheme for approval, as it met legal requirements, councillors threw out the scheme. As a ‘prior application’, the proposal only has to meet specific legal rules rather than

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