Last night the Planning Committee of Tandridge District Council refused an application by London & Quadrant Homes to build 53 dwellings on the site of the former Adult Education Centre in Croydon Road, Caterham. Last October planners refused an application by London & Quadrant to build 67 dwellings on the site.

85 concerned local residents attended yesterday's meeting held at the council offices in Oxted. Tandridge District Councillor for Caterham Valley, Jane Ingham, moved the motion to refuse on the grounds of too high density, lack of amenity space and too much built form. The motion was passed after over an hour of debate.

In a statement issued today Cllr. Ingham said: "I am delighted that this application has been refused. The developers have gone to great lengths to involve local residents in the planning process and their efforts are much appreciated. Whilst these plans were a vast improvement on the last application they still do not address the impact of high density living in an area which is already at breaking point.

We all want to see this site developed and not allowed to become more derelict, but it must be done sympathetically, in keeping with the area and it must not be allowed to exacerbate the already severe parking problems that exist.

The hard work and commitment that the local residents have put into defending this area against gross overdevelopment is a wonderful example of the 'Big Society' in action, and I applaud them for their efforts."

Details of the planning application can be viewed at the Tandridge District Council website: http://www.tandridge.gov.uk Application No. 2011/688