Having received a number of enquiries regarding the planning application at present being considered by the Woking Borough Council (WBC) planning department for an extension to the Priory hospital, I have written a letter to the Priory aiming to clarify a number of points about their operation.

As I am no longer a member of the planning committee, I am able, for the first time since becoming a councillor, to express my views on a planning application prior to it coming before the planning committee

I have concerns that this application does not have sufficient special circumstance to justify development in the greenbelt. The application appears to suggest that the plan should be approved for two reasons.  Firstly, as a previous ‘similar’ application was approved.  Secondly, as the operational needs of the hospital’s patients is sufficiently special.  In both cases I disagree.  I disagree that the previous application was similar as it was for a sheltered swimming pool which gives it a different status.  I also disagree that the needs of patients to have a quiet secluded location prohibits other locations from being considered. 

I am now waiting for further information from the WBC Planning department as to whether this application will be recommended for approval. 

A copy of my letter written to the Priory can be seen here Letter to Priory

I will scan and post any reply I receive from the Priory hospital to my letter.