New Local Plan is put back to officers for further work

Elmbridge Borough Council’s RA/Lib Dem Administration and the cross party Local Plan Working Group have asked officers to carry out further work on the Local Plan so that it better represents the views and aspirations of the Borough’s councillors.

The Local Plan sets out the Council’s ‘Place Shaping’ vision for the next 10 to 15 years. It has been years in the making and is in its final stages before presentation to the Inspector. 

Portfolio Holder Cllr Karen Randolph said: ‘I’d like to thank the officers for their hard work and determination to get us to this point. However, further work is needed before we will have a draft plan that the Administration and indeed Members across the Council , can support.”

Cllr Chris Sadler, Leader of Elmbridge Borough Council added “As we have repeatedly stated to the government, our local MP and the Secretary of State, we have very serious concerns about the impact of any attempt to meet the government’s assessed housing need on our Green Belt, open spaces and the character of our urban areas.  I am very happy that officers will be coming to Members with alternative proposals.”

Cllr Barry Cheyne, Chairman of the Planning Committee and the Local Plan Working Group said: "The cross-party Local Working Group, after careful consideration, advised senior planning officers that the draft Local Plan, as presented, did not meet the aspirations of the vast majority of councillors and that further work was required before a draft Local Plan could be published. I am delighted that the planning officers have accepted this advice. It is essential that any Local Plan approved by the Council is procedurally sound and based on well thought-through planning judgments and this short delay will ensure that the eventual Local Plan will have every chance of approval by the Planning Inspectorate."

Lib Dem Leader Bruce McDonald describes the move as ‘Very significant. Our residents have told us so many times about their love for Elmbridge, its green spaces and their concerns for the Green Belt. I’m delighted to see the fruits of the numerous discussions we’ve been having. This is strong local democracy at work”.