Appeal for site ideas as housing target doubles

The latest call for sites runs until 24 October

A council in Surrey is urging landowners and residents to come forward with more site suggestions for its new Local Plan as its housing target has doubled.

Waverley Borough Council (WBC) said its new call for sites followed changes to national planning policy, which had "significantly" increased the number of homes that must be built in the area.

The government's housing target for the borough rose from 710 to 1,458 new homes each year, WBC said.

"The council does not believe that it can accommodate this number, however it is important that no stone is left unturned in the attempt to identify additional land that could be considered for housing and other uses," the local authority added.

The new Local Plan will guide where new homes, jobs and community facilities will be located over the next 20 years.

Liz Townsend, the council's portfolio holder for planning, regeneration and economic development, said: "This call for sites is not about approving development, but about identifying land that could be considered as we prepare our new Local Plan."

Sites can be put forward for a range of uses, including housing, employment, retail, renewable energy, community facilities, green space and biodiversity projects.

The latest call for sites runs until 24 October.