Housing plan near palace sees parking scaled back
Paul Kerley/BBCPlans to scale back the parking spaces of a housing scheme opposite Hampton Court Palace have been submitted to the council.
The new proposal for the former Jolly Boatman pub site in East Molesey, sent to Elmbridge Borough Council, would cut the originally agreed 207 parking spaces down to 93.
The planning application cited increased costs and slow sales for the decision, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).
A South Western Railway and Network Rail Wessex spokesperson said it was working with authorities involved to consider the plans and "ensure the needs of customers, local residents and the wider community are properly taken into account".
The original planning application from Alexpo and Network Rail included 97 flats, an 84-bed hotel, retail units and a car park. It received more than 1,800 objections and 131 letters of support at the time.
This was approved by a government inspector on appeal in 2022 after being refused by the council a year earlier for being "excessive".
Permission was then sought and granted in 2024 from Lisa Nandy, the Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, due to the development's planned height and proximity to the palace.
Local concerns raised
The latest application has so far received 157 objections and two letters in support, according to the LDRS.
Steve Bax, who represents the Molesey East ward on the council, shared concern that the proposal could impact parking for the surrounding area.
He said on Facebook: "Anyone who has tried parking in Palace Road, Wolsey Road, or nearby streets knows how difficult it already is."
The joint spokesperson for South Western Railway and Network Rail Wessex added: "We recognise the importance of parking provision at Hampton Court and understand the concerns that have been raised locally."
They said an updated seven-day parking survey was undertaken in October 2025 to inform the proposals.
"Our focus remains on achieving a deliverable development that balances regeneration of the site with the needs of our customers and the local community at the heart of this."
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