A new method was announced in July 2024 by UK Government as part of changes to the national planning policy framework. The targets were increased again in December 2024

All local authorities in Surrey will see their housing targets increase under the government’s new method for determining how many homes should be built in each area. There are similar issues in Kent, Berkshire, Hertfordshire and Essex.

London is the only region that will see a drop in the housing target overall, with 24 of the 33 boroughs being set lower targets under these methods.

This petition has been raised to ask UK government to initiate a thorough review of all the targets set for boroughs in England. Excessive targets should be reduced. Targets could be increased in urban areas.

Action is required very soon. The revised targets for new homes will be imposed soon on all boroughs in England, as updates to Local Plans. There will be pressure and penalties for non-compliance.

Surrey will be set some tough targets for building new homes. The density of population is already higher in North East Surrey than the rest of the county. Epsom and Ewell has the highest density of homes, but the target for growth has been increased by 53%. The infrastructure in Epsom and Ewell has been stretched for several years. The new target will result in 33,000 more people living in the borough. The original and new targets are listed below for East Surrey and West Surrey

Borough                      Target   Target  Growth
                                       Old      New
Elmbridge                       653    1562    139%
Epsom and Ewell            569      889    53%
Mole Valley                     460      833   81%
Reigate and Banstead    644    1306    103%
Spelthorne                      631      793    26%
Tandridge                       634      843    33%

Guildford                        743    1170    57%
Runnymede                    546      626    15%
Waverley                         710   1481    109%
Woking                           436     794    82%

The targets set by the Conservatives were tough, difficult to achieve in some boroughs. The new targets set by Labour are excessive. The high level of construction will result in loss of Green Belt and Green Field sites. The impact on road and rail traffic will be significant. The impact on  schools, hospitals, doctors, dentists and child care will be significant, many of which are already stretched. 

In contrast, the targets set for several London boroughs have been reduced. The excessive targets for Surrey cannot be justified. They are unfair and will have a huge impact on the environment and quality of life.

Borough                      Target   Target  Growth
                                       Old      New
Croydon                              4511   2887   -36%
Kingston upon Thames      2001  1589   -21%
Merton                                1989  2081     5%
Richmond upon Thames    2187  2513      15%
Sutton                                 2332  1684   -28%

Ewell Green Belt