Council's plan for 330 new homes per year approved

Mole Valley's plan for new homes in the district has been approved

A Surrey borough has been told its plan to build 336 new homes per year can go ahead.

Mole Valley District Council was told by a planning inspector that its local plan is “legally compliant and sound”.

Councillors will decide in October whether to adopt the local plan, which sets out where and when homes will be built in the district up to 2039.

The local plan process meant releasing 0.65% of the district's green belt for future development, according to the council.

Councillor Margaret Cooksey, Mole Valley’s cabinet member for planning, said: "It is important to acknowledge the vital part our local communities played in the development of this draft over the various consultation stages carried out."

The council outlined some of the benefits of the local plan, including one electric vehicle charging point at each new home, transport improvements and provision of "truly affordable housing".

But Mrs Cooksey said "with immediate effect" the plan would need to be reviewed amid the government currently consulting on a new national planning policy and its plans to build more homes.

Mole Valley's local plan being approved comes in the same week neighbouring Elmbridge was told it needed to re-think its local plan and consider building on the green belt.