Plans approved for 200 homes on former green belt

Developer Thakeham said that 40% of the homes would be affordable in Mole Valley

Up to 200 new homes will be built on former green belt land despite fears they could overwhelm the already strained sewage system.

Mole Valley District Council's (MVDC) planning committee approved developer Thakeham's plans for the 27 hectare site off Little Bookham Street, near Leatherhead .

As well as the 200 homes, the plans will feature a community building, Gypsy, Roman and Traveller pitches, and public open space that the developers said would also open access to nearby ponds, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

They added that 40% of the homes would be affordable.

The site has been identified for development by the council's local plan but the application had drawn more than 300 objections.

Residents raised issues of raw sewage, but Thames Water raised no objections.

People objecting also said they were concerned about the impact on the children in the area being bumped out of the local school's catchment area.

The new homes will be net carbon zero and feature a mix of one to four-bedrooms.

The developers hope to create 45 acres of open space and a new country park.