We want to STOP Elmbridge borough council from taking greenbelt land in and around Claygate and then reclassifying it to non greenbelt land. The borough is threatening to allow mass development of houses on these parcels of greenbelt once the reclassification has occurred.

The impact of this is profound on many fronts, both locally and globally. A number of our concerns are highlighted below:

Devastation of natural inhabitants such as wild deer, migrating birds and wild fowl, hedgehogs, butterflies, wild fox families, bats to name but a few.

Huge detrimental impact on the aspect of the greenbelt and contrary to the National planning policy which states that the greenbelt must be kept as greenbelt in perpetuity. 

The large developments will have a huge toll on local services such as schools, Gp services and greater traffic congestion to name but a few. The borough has given no indication as to how they will accommodate these increased demands on already overburdened local services. Children are already having to travel large distances to get an education as the local schools are already over subscribed. 

The fabric of the village will be altered by this urban sprawl and cease to exist in its current state. These changes would be wholly unacceptable to the vast majority of the local inhabitants of Claygate village.

The environmental impact is also of great concern, particularly in this time of climate change and reducing carbon emissions. Hundreds of new houses will inevitably create a greater carbon footprint, added to which is the increased number of vehicles further increasing pollution both locally and globally. 

The surrounding countryside is struggling to cope with the increased rainfall that the uk is experiencing in the more recent yrs. More land reclamation and the creation of  surfaces which cannot absorb this increased rainfall will undoubtedly lead to greater flooding in and around surrey, affecting towns and villages.

These are but a number of reasons why this destruction of the greenbelt must be prevented. Signing of this petition will send a message to the Elmbridge planning department that we, as the local residents of Claygate and its surrounds, object to the proposals.

Thankyou.