On Wednesday, 22nd July 2026, the Spelthorne Borough Council Planning Committee voted to approve the planning application (Ref: 25/01461/FUL) for The Vineries on Spout Lane.
The approved application allows for the demolition of existing buildings and the erection of a new office, welfare, and maintenance facility, alongside a Class B8 industrial storage yard, replacement hardstanding, parking, and landscaping.
Community Action and Resident Objections
Back in January 2026, Stanwell Moor Community Watch rallied alongside local residents to object to this redevelopment. Over 30 formal objections were submitted to Spelthorne Borough Council. Residents voiced major concerns over:
- Loss and encroachment on our local Green Belt
- Increased HGV and commercial traffic on narrow village roads
- Industrialisation of a quiet residential area
- Added noise, light pollution, and environmental harm
- Surface water runoff and flooding risks
Special thanks go to Councillor Button, who spoke passionately on behalf of Stanwell Moor at the committee meeting to ensure our village’s voice and concerns were clearly heard.
How the Decision Was Reached
Following extensive debate, committee members ultimately voted to follow the recommendations of council planning officers (and Surrey County Council) to approve the scheme. Only Councillor Beattie voted against the recommendation, standing with our community’s objections.
A central factor in the decision was the site’s classification: planning officers noted that The Vineries is no longer evaluated purely under traditional Green Belt restrictions, but also under new national “grey belt” provisions. This updated designation significantly lowered the legal threshold for refusal, making it exceptionally difficult for the committee to reject partial redevelopment on land previously developed or deemed underutilised.
While previous planning applications on the site were dismissed (notably in 2022), this shift in policy framework proved decisive. Officers assured the committee that community concerns regarding flooding, noise, and traffic could be managed through legally binding planning conditions rather than outright refusal. Additionally, doubling the overall footprint of the storage facility and erecting a two-storey structure were deemed acceptable within current development guidelines.
Conditions and Next Steps
The application was approved in full, subject to a lengthy list of planning conditions intended to mitigate noise, manage traffic flow, and handle drainage/flood risks. However, the committee made only minimal amendments to the conditions originally proposed by officers.
While this outcome is deeply frustrating for many of us who fought hard to protect the character and safety of Stanwell Moor, Stanwell Moor Community Watch will continue to monitor the situation closely. We will be keeping a watchful eye on the developer to ensure every single planning condition—especially regarding heavy vehicle routes, operating hours, and flood prevention measures—is strictly enforced.
Thank you to every resident who took the time to object – at the very least, this led to tough conditions placed on the site development.