We, the undersigned, urge Epsom and Ewell Borough Council (EEBC) to remove Green Belt sites for housing developments on the Local Plan.

Of the nine “preferred option” sites in the Plan, five are green belt sites, on which it is proposed to build 2,175 houses – over 41% of the total of 5,400 proposed up to 2040. No visionary large-scale brownfield developments for affordable homes is included, while 137 acres of green belt could be sacrificed. The Plan fails to present convincing arguments as to what are the ‘exceptional circumstances’ that would justify the loss of such extensive areas of Green Belt.

Proposed sites are:
150 homes around West Park Hospital
1,500 homes around Horton Farm
25 homes next to Chantilly Way
350 homes on the sports fields by Ewell East Station
150 homes on sports pitches at Hook Road Arena

In addition, according to Council's Sustainability Appraisal and LAA, many more Green Belt lands are still under threat, such as Downs Farm, SE of Epsom, South of Manor Park, Drift Bridge Farm, Land NE of Reigate Rd and Langley Bottom Farm.

Pressures from both arbitrary Government housing targets and opportunistic landowners working with property developers, could destroy our Borough's unique open spaces which protect against urban sprawl, enhancing our environment and habitat for protected species.

We urge EEBC to not take the easy way to bulldoze and concrete our Green Belt, they instead should take a more visionary and sustainable Brownfield solution to meet the needs of Epsom Community.

1. The draft Local Plan is still based on the outdated 2014 ONS data, which is significantly overestimating the housing needs. With the proposed 5,400 homes, it will lead to a 16% population increase, however, according to latest ONS projections, the national average growth will be just over 4% over the same period. The plan not only lacks details on how it will meet the infrastructure needs, but also will make Epsom lose its unique character forever.

2. The Central Government has recently announced their strong protection on Green Belt, and in May 2023 will update the national law to make the target "advisory" only, and local authorities will no longer need to review Green Belt boundaries to fulfil housing target. Nationwide, 19 Councils including neighboring Mole Valley have started to remove Green Belt from their local plan, or withdrew the plan completely.

3. There are alternative brownfield plans which offer more affordable homes, more central location with excellent public transport link, together with town rejuvenation and employment opportunities. We recognise the huge need for the right type of new housing - particularly starter homes for young families and affordable rented options. 

Out-of-town Green Belt lands are severely limited on public transport and facilities(doctor surgeries, schools), therefore adding thousands of cars to the road is not a sustainable way of development.

4. Developing the green and beautiful Green Belt with an abundance of wildlife (skylarks, deer, bats, hedgehogs, owls, woodpeckers and many more), will set the precedent of horrendously ripping up Epsom’s Green Belt, and changing Epsom into another over-developed urban town forever.

ONCE IT'S GONE, IT'S GONE FOREVER

Please make sure you register and participate in Council's Public Consultation on Local Plan, deadline 19th March 2023. https://www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/local-plan

Please visit our website https://epsomgreenbelt.org/ to read more & register your support.

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Contact us: epsomgreenbelt@gmail.com