Plans for homes near river approved

Plans for 74 new homes on the edge of a Surrey river - which attracted 300 objections - have been approved.

Elmbridge Borough Council backed the application for three detached residential buildings off Orchard Lane in Molesey.

A mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and town houses will be built near the River Ember, while 20 affordable homes selling at 80 percent of market value are also included in the scheme.

Councillor Caroline James had called for the plans to be refused, describing the development as "overbearing", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Councillor Lawrence Wells said more housing was needed in the area and that the potential harm did not outweigh the benefits of the scheme.

The plans will involve demolishing seven buildings currently on the site, which were previously residential and daycare facilities for people with learning difficulties.

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