Public meeting on Horton Water Tower

9.00.00am GMT Wed 18th Nov 2009

Another application to extend the tower gained planning consent in 2004

Epsom & Ewell Liberal Democrats convened a public meeting to give Livingstone Park residents an opportunity to give ward councillors their views on the planning application for Horton Water Tower. The proposal is to develop the existing 13 storey water tower to provide four 2 bedroom residential units, by adding a similar size extension.

Cllr Colin Taylor said: "There is a long history to this site, including an existing planning permission for a similar development for residential use, but with the extension on the opposite side of the tower. We were keen to ensure that local residents were informed about the proposals and had an opportunity to respond to the public consultation".

"Residents reported that, in the summer, they handed a petition to the Council, calling for the demolition of the Tower. We are making enquiries to see where this petition has got to in the Council, and whether it will be considered as a response to the consultation on this planning application," said Cllr David Buxton.

Concerns expressed by local residents who attended the meeting included:

• the height and the shadowing effect of the extended tower;

• the parking provision, loss of green space and proximity to existing buildings;

• the size of the equipment necessary to construct such a tall building;

• the transfer of ownership of the Water Tower;

• the lack of building control enforcement over nearby fences and walls;

• the adoption of the roads, sewers and green open spaces.