Policy information sourced from the Elmbridge Core Strategy

CS9- Esher

Esher will continue to fulfil a diverse range of important roles as a centre for residential, employment, leisure, recreational and tourism uses. Additional residential development will be provided across the area, primarily through redevelopment of previously developed land, taking account of relative flood risk. All new development will be expected to enhance local character. Specific attention will need to be given to areas of high heritage value, including West End and Esher Conservation Areas.

Esher has relatively good accessibility and higher density residential / mixed use developments could be appropriate within and around the town centre, provided that they take account of its historic context and support the town centre’s vitality and viability, contributing to the diversity of uses available to local people. Restaurants and cafés contribute to the character of Esher and its evening activity. However, these uses do need to be controlled, in order that its function as a retail centre during the day time is not threatened. (see CS19 - Town Centre Uses).

The Council will work in partnership with landowners and Surrey County Council to implement appropriate measures that could address traffic congestion through the town centre and reduce the negative impact of lorry movements through residential areas. The Council will also promote improved access to and within the area for pedestrians and cyclists and public transport users. The Council will continue to work in partnership with Surrey County Council, in order to take a coherent approach to on and off-street parking.

The Council will promote the provision of hotel accommodation in order to support the tourist venues at Sandown Park Racecourse and Claremont Landscape Gardens (see CS24-Hotels and Tourism).

Environmental management and improvement programmes will be undertaken across Esher Common in order to protect biodiversity and provide opportunities for leisure and recreation (see CS14-Green Infrastructure and CS15-Biodiversity).

See appendix 2 for settlement investment and development schedules.

For more information please see the Elmbridge Core Strategy