FAQs
Explore our FAQs section below
What is Green Belt?
The concept of Green Belt began in the 1930s to restrict urban growth, offer communities access to green space for recreation and to improve public health.
In 1958, the ‘Surrey County Development Plan’ designated the Green Belt in Tandridge District.
Tandridge District is currently 94% Green Belt, of which the majority is in the south of the District.
Minor changes to Warlingham’s Green Belt were in the ‘1992 North of the Downs Local Plan’ to allow the extension of Mayes Close and in 1999, the Warlingham Park hospital closed and developers were allowed to build on the original footprint of the hospital buildings, this site is Greatpark.
What is a Local Plan?
A local plan sets out planning policies and proposals for new development. Tandridge District’s Current Local Plan, was adopted in 2008 and further policies in 2014 and this is used to help determine planning applications in the District.
Our current Local Plan covers 2006 to 2026, where we were to build 2,500 homes but over 5,000 homes have so far been built which is why we have creaking infrastructure.
The Government requires a review of these plans every five years . Our Local Plan is considered out of date, but our policies are still consistent with Government guidelines.
When creating a Local Plan how does the Council decide which sites to build on?
‘Exceptional Circumstances’ The Local Plan process allows you to alter your Green Belt boundaries if there are exceptional reasons such as employment growth, a new school or doctors surgery etc.
‘Infrastructure’ roads, electricity, sewerage, water, schools, health provision and open spaces. New development is required to provide new infrastructure or upgrades to existing facilities to ensure that the needs of new developments can be met. New development cannot deal with existing shortages.
‘‘Traffic generated by new development?’ Detailed transport modelling work to find out the impacts that significant housing and employment growth will have on roads. When the potential impacts have been identified, then an assessment of what improvements to roads and transport will be needed to ensure the current situation is improved and not made worse. Encouragement of walking, cycling and new transport.
‘School and healthcare capacity’ including sports and open space provision.
If you have any further queries, please contact us by email at info@swgb.org
