Council 'disappointed' by green belt planning verdict

Homes could be built on green belt land in north Surrey, which includes Walton-on-Thames (pictured)

Homes could be built on green belt land in north Surrey to meet housing targets despite a council’s aim to protect undeveloped land.

An independent planning inspector, who has said using green belt land for homes would be "justified", told Elmbridge Borough Council its draft local plan was “unsound” and it should rethink its plan for 8,000 new homes.

She said there should be 1,443 new homes built each year – more than twice the council’s target of 650.

In its response, the council said it was disappointed and wanted to protect the green belt from “speculative” development.

The council aimed to protect green belt land and only use brownfield sites for new homes.

The north Surrey borough includes Esher, Walton-on-Thames and Cobham, and includes some of the country’s most expensive areas.

The local plan is a blueprint for development and the government said they must be created with residents, developers and landowners.

Elmbridge Borough Council also asked for more time, saying 12-15 months was more realistic than the “challenging” six-month timetable suggested by the inspector to come up with a new local plan to run up to 2040.

It said it needed the time to consult residents and the largest piece of work is finding “suitable and available sites” to meet the need for homes, including affordable ones.

Kim Tagliarini, the council’s strategic director for place and community, said it was “extremely important” to talk to communities in Elmbridge, “ensuring that our local plan process remains transparent, and that we take our residents with us.”

'Speculative development'

Council leader Mike Rollings, deputy leader Simon Waugh and leader of the Hinchley Wood Residents’ Association Janet Turner said they were “disappointed” by planning inspector Crista Masters' verdict.

The draft local plan focused development on brownfield land “whilst protecting the green belt from further erosion,” they said.

The senior councillors also wrote an open letter to residents.

They said: “Safeguarding Elmbridge against repeated speculative green belt development and ensuring we as councillors represent our residents’ views is of utmost importance.”

The council leaders also criticised the “unreasonable” target for new homes.

Instead, they said: “We believe it is best for Elmbridge to have control of development.

"Having a local plan in place achieves that, enabling more affordable homes, especially for key workers.”