A selection of news items about planning and housing in and around the borough of Epsom and Ewell, also about Surrey.
Stage 2 Examination of Epsom & Ewell’s Local Plan opens 28 Sep 2025
The full hearing programme, Inspector’s questions and examination library can be found on the Council’s Local Plan examination page.
https://www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/planning-policy/local-plan-examination
Spotlight on Horton Farm (Site Allocation 35)
Among many proposed sites across the borough, Horton Farm (SA35) is by far the largest single allocation, earmarked for around 1,250 homes, a 7-hectare public park and 10 Gypsy & Traveller pitches. It sits next to Horton Cemetery and near Horton Country Park.
Clarendon Park Residents’ Association (Alex Duval) argue that the Council has not demonstrated the “exceptional circumstances” required to release high-performing Green Belt land. They raise concerns about flooding, sewage, school places and transport, and question why alternative sites for the Traveller pitches were not properly considered.
CPRE Surrey (Tim Murphy) objects to the loss of Green Belt at Horton Farm, urging a stronger focus on brownfield redevelopment and urban densities. Council for the Protection of Rural England.
Friends of Horton Cemetery (Lionel Blackman) do not oppose Horton Farm outright but call for binding commitments that developer contributions restore the historic cemetery as a garden of rest.
The Church Commissioners, who own Horton Farm, strongly support the allocation. Their planning consultants argue it is a sustainable and deliverable location, capable of providing affordable and family housing, community facilities and transport links. They accept surface water flooding is a constraint but say it can be managed through design. They oppose the Council’s request for 20% biodiversity net gain, though they commit to meeting national standards.
See our report on an apparent conflict of interest concerning this allocation for the Council’s consultant who’s employer also represents the Commissioners. Conflict on Epsom’s Green Belt plans of another kind?
On 10th December 2024, the Full Council of Epsom and Ewell Borough Council convened to debate the proposed Local Plan, a pivotal document that will shape the borough’s future planning, housing, and Green Belt policies until 2040 and beyond. Central to the debate were contentious issues regarding housing targets, the timetable for the Local Plan submission, and the potential release of Green Belt land for development. The controversial Local Plan, including some Green Belt development, was voted through by 16 votes from a Council that consists of 35 Councillors.
Epsom and Ewell Draft Local Plan Goes to Full Council
The Licensing and Planning Policy Committee (LPPC) of Epsom and Ewell Borough Council met on 20th November 2024 to consider the draft Regulation 19 Local Plan amid a storm of public opposition and internal division.
After nearly seven years of delays, the draft Local Plan was endorsed by the LPPC, sending it to the Full Council for final approval in December. However, the debate exposed significant disagreement among councillors about the cost of achieving housing targets and the risk of sacrificing valued green spaces.
Epsom and Ewell Green Belt battle lines drawing near ›
The latest draft of the Local Plan has just been revealed. The headline news is that the housing target has been significantly reduced by omitting the Ewell East Station Green Belt site but the Horton Farm and Hook Road Arena Green Belt sites have been retained.
Decision time is coming with the key Council committee meeting to deliberate on the Local Plan on 20th November and Full Council due to meet on 10th December.
The campaigning group Epsom Green Belt has sent to the Epsom and Ewell Times a detailed analysis criticising delays, costs, and lack of transparency in the ongoing development of Epsom and Ewell Borough Council’s Local Plan. The findings highlight that a six-month “pause” in 2023, frequently cited by the ruling Residents’ Association councillors as the reason for the current tight schedule, didn’t halt progress entirely.
Epsom Ewell Green Belt Controversy Tightens
Tensions flared during a heated meeting of the Licensing and Planning Policy Committee (LPPC) in Epsom on October 17th, 2024, as residents voiced strong objections to the proposed housing targets and the perceived threat to the borough’s Green Belt. The meeting was marked by a series of public statements and a notable exchange between committee members and the public, revealing deep-rooted concerns about the future of Epsom’s green spaces and the transparency of the council’s planning processes.
Housing targets in full: See how many new homes will be built in your area
Building homes for people must be the “top priority” – even over nature and the environment – Keir Starmer has said, as the government set out plans to allow more building on the green belt.
A shake-up of planning rules will see councils given mandatory targets to deliver a total of 370,000 homes a year in England.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cewyyp9d1n5o
12 Aug 2025 – Campaigners want greenbelt safe from development
A petition opposed to the proposals for farmland in Langley Vale has received more than 1,000 signatures, amid fears the development would bring more traffic to the area.
John Mumford of the Woodcote Epsom Residents Society and Save Langley Vale said: “We don’t need to build on a pristine greenbelt site like this. There are other sites within the borough, brownfield sites, that would be much better to accommodate the housing need of the borough.”
A spokesperson from developers Fairfax said the proposal had been “sensitively designed” and promoted sustainable living.
Mr Mumford said he worried the proposed development on arable farmland would “completely undermine the integrity of the green belt around Langley Vale village”.
He said it was also an important approach to the Woodland Trust’s Centenary Wood and was an area that was “much loved by everybody for dog walking, recreation purposes”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj3rd6lypl1o
20 July 2025 – Plans for 300 new homes in Reigate approved
Plans for a new development which includes 300 homes in a Surrey town have been approved by the local council. As well as the homes, the site off Sandcross Lane in Reigate will have a 65-bed care facility, three traveller pitches and a scout hut.
The development was approved by ten votes to one by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, despite opposition from local residents who said it was an unsuitable use of the former green belt site.
Developer Savills told the Local Democracy Reporting Service it would provide “much needed” family housing.
Simon Buckingham, Park Lane Residents Association chairperson, said his group had objected to the plans for more than five years.
He said the development suffered from a “woeful inadequacy of local healthcare provision”.
Details of the layout across the 14.9 hectare site are yet to be determined – but it is expected the tallest buildings could reach up to four stories in height.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62dvlg310xo
9 July 2025 – Plans for 270 new village homes approved
Up to 270 new homes are to be built in a Surrey village close to the M25.
Mole Valley District Council’s development committee has approved the plans for land south of Ermyn Way in Ashtead.
The proposals, which include 108 affordable properties, a community building and space for gypsy and traveller pitches, were approved by six votes to five with two abstentions.
Dave Beresford, from Ashtead Residents’ Association, said: “Adding 580 residents would be unsustainable, the character of the area will certainly be harmed.”
The new development will be Surrey’s biggest cul-de-sac, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1lnmegzrj2o
12 December 2024 – BBC News: Surrey’s smallest borough approves plan for homes
Plans to build nearly 5,000 homes in Surrey’s smallest borough have taken a step forward.
On Tuesday, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council approved the next stage in its local plan process, which is a public consultation before it is submitted to a government inspector.
The local plan sets out where and when homes will be built up to 2040 in the borough, which borders London. In it, there are plans for 4,916 new homes including some on green belt land released by the council.
With a population in 2021 of 80,900 people, Epsom and Ewell is Surrey’s smallest borough in terms of geographical area, but the most densely populated, according to the local plan.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c93p1ke3epwo
2 October 2024 – New homes plan puts green belt at risk
The government’s housing targets would lead to a “completely unsustainable” increase in Surrey’s population and “inflict serious damage” on the environment, campaigners have warned.
Proposals show a large rise in the number of homes expected to be built across the area, up to more than 10,000 per year.
The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) said Surrey is already “severely congested”, with “chronically stretched public services and infrastructure”.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr5n2d1rdnyo
14 August 2024 – Development tsunami looms in Surrey
Surrey could face a “tsunami of development” on its green belt, campaigners have warned.
Surrey Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) said the government’s “astronomically high” housebuilding targets will compel local authorities to “concrete over” the countryside.
The government said the country faced a housing crisis that all areas, including Surrey, “must play their part in ending”.
CPRE Surrey’s Chair, John Goodridge, said: “We know that more houses need to be built in Surrey but this is not the way.”
Map of Green Belt areas around Epsom and Ewell. Many thanks to CPRE.
Ewell Green Belt 