Committee refuses to put lid on car boot sales

Jul 29 2010 By Vicki Eltis, Surrey Herald

carbootsupporters

CAR boot sales at Walton's Apps Court Farm are likely to be restricted to 11 during summer so they don't breach Green Belt rules, according to a planning committee.

Elmbridge's north area sub-committee ignored their officers' recommendation to refuse permission for the summer Sunday sales and will ask the full planning committee to give them the go-ahead.

An officers report stated that the farm had produced no special circumstances to justify the sales, they had been run without permission for 23 years, and exceeded the permitted number of days for sales every year.

Councillor for Walton north, Christine Cross, said: "It's a popular and a regular facility that the community uses and each application should be viewed on its own merit.

"As long as the owners go through the right channels, where is the harm to the Green Belt?"

However, Councillor Chris Sadler, disagreed.

"The open space should be preserved. It will be covered by so many vehicles encroaching on the Green Belt. I think a lot of people object, even if they haven't written in to do so."

Sales organiser and a director of the farm, Steve Wynn-Davis, said: "We are delighted that good sense

prevailed, but we are disappointed that the matter has been referred to the full committee when local people have already voted in favour."

A 4,000-signature petition in support of the sale was handed to the council.