A motion calling on a council to withdraw its controversial legal appeal over the future of a historic estate will be debated in public tonight.

Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) and a developer are appealing against a judge’s decision to quash planning permission granted to turn Cherkley Court into a 5 star hotel and golf course near Leatherhead.

The public meeting at the council chamber comes after a High Court hearing on Friday about how much of the campaigners’ costs should be paid by the council and the developer after they lost a judicial review.

Cherkley Campaign brought the judicial review to block plans by Longshot Cherkley Court to develop the former home of press baron Lord Beaverbrook.

Mole Valley Liberal Democrats called for tonight's public meeting and laid a motion calling on the executive to withdraw from the appeal process to prevent the council throwing good money after bad.

A council spokeswoman said that the judge would make a decision later this year over what proportion of the campaigners’ costs it should pay.

Andy Smith, director of the Surrey branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), said about a dozen campaigners went to the High Court for the hearing on Friday.

Mr Smith said that if the Court of Appeal reinforces the landmark judicial review ruling then it would be a "devastating blow" to developers trying to deviate from the local plan or build on the greenbelt.

He said: "A further victory for us will set a massive precedent. There’s a lot riding on this."

Councillor John Northcott, portfolio holder for planning, said: "MVDC took the decision to apply for permission to appeal the judicial review into Cherkley Court because it believes the decision of democratically elected councillors - with a thorough understanding of the issues and the local community - was legitimate.

"In granting permission to appeal, the judge, Right Honourable Lord Justice Sullivan took the view that: ‘The grounds of appeal have a real prospect of success’.

"The council believes that the proposed development at Cherkley Court would bring economic investment and growth to Mole Valley when it is most needed; as well as securing public access to a local landmark.

The public are welcome to attend the special meeting at 7pm on Wednesday in the council chamber at Pippbrook House in Dorking.

The meeting will be webcast at www.molevalley.gov.uk.

 

TODAY'S HEADLINES IN EPSOM AND EWELL