Bringing forward the next stage of the Local Plan (Regulation 19) for public consultation is a key priority for the Council and is expected to take place in early 2025.
You may well be aware of recent Government announcements about reforming planning in order to deliver its national ambition for 1.5 million new homes by the end of this five-year parliament. This involves a range of radical proposals including changes to how local housing need is calculated for Local Plan purposes and the concept of ‘Grey Belt’ whereby low performing sites in the Green Belt can be identified for development.
The proposals as they stand would result in our housing need figure increasing by 41 per cent – going from 576 homes a year to 817. The previous housing figures were already difficult to achieve within the new Draft Local Plan and this additional scale of development would be likely to seriously threaten and undermine the character and amenity of our Borough.
Both the Council and the umbrella organisation for the Residents Associations across Epsom and Ewell (SCoRA) have recently responded to the Government consultation on the planning reforms. These express support for some of the suggested policy changes relating, for example,
to improving the delivery of much needed affordable and social housing.
Strong objections have also been lodged though to proposals which could lead to excessive high density, high-rise development at odds with the prevailing character and heritage of the Borough.
John Mumford, Chair