Plans for 110 new homes near village

The plans cover more than 5 hectares (0.02 square miles) of agricultural farm land

Plans for 110 new homes, including affordable housing, have been put forward in Epsom.

The outline application covers more than five hectares (0.02 square miles) of agricultural farm land at Langley Bottom Farm, adjacent to Langley Vale village.

The scheme has prompted more than 20 objections, warning it will damage green belt land, increase traffic and disrupt biodiversity.

Developers Fairfax Aspire Ltd said the site in Epsom Downs "does not make a strong contribution" to green belt purposes, such as preventing urban sprawl of building as Langley Vale is a village.

It believes "the site represents a relatively discrete parcel of land within the wider green belt context," lessening its importance.

"The site represents an opportunity for modest, sustainable development on the edge of the settlement boundary," the developer claims, noting the homes would help meet the local need for housing.

While Epsom & Ewell Borough Council cannot currently show a five-year housing supply – activating a so-called "titled balance" in favour of housing schemes – the site remains firmly in protected open countryside, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

The plans suggest a new access road could be created on Langley Vale Road to get to the site, with native planting and wildlife corridors linking to the nearby woodland at The Warren.

Woodcote (Epsom) Residents Society has created an action group with Langley Vale residents to campaign against the proposal.

They said: "Housing on this prominent field would have an enormously harmful impact on our attractive open countryside.

"It would also fail to connect with and integrate with the existing village with its separate road access arrangement, lack of adequate footpath connections and would add to the existing severe pressure on services and infrastructure."

Comments on the application can be made on the council's website until 12 August.