It’s back to the drawing board for the would-be developer of an estate of nine new homes in the Southborough Conservation Area.
Councillors rejected Daniel Less’ bid to build four and five-bedroom properties on the site of a large house in Corkran Road, destroyed by fire more than four years ago.

Surbiton’s neighbourhood committee turned down Ascot Design’s plans for the semi-detached and detached properties to replace the ruins of the once-imposing Tudor-style home.

Overdevelopment, density and character clash with other homes in a conservation zone were cited.There were also concerns for road safety and access, tree loss and habitat loss for bats, badgers and other wildlife.

Under the proposal, the property, a gatehouse, a clutch of outbuildings and a bungalow would have been demolished to make way for a drive to the new-build homes with off-street parking.

“These are not large detached houses as characterised by the conservation area,” said Surbiton Hill ward Cllr Malcolm Self to loud applause in the public gallery.

He said he thought the properties were nice houses, and that in another location they would probably be considered as an underdevelopment of the site, but he thought the application should be refused as “it is our duty to preserve or enhance the characteristics of the area”.

Cllr Liz Green of St Mark’s ward told the developer that if he intended to submit new plans for the site, and wanted to develop neighbouring No16 Corkran Road (which he also owns), it would be advisable to submit the application under one scheme as she didn’t like the idea of piecemeal developments.