Ellie Ames 25 August 2023

Council told to withdraw 6,000 homes plan

Council told to withdraw 6,000 homes plan image
Image: https://www.tandridge.gov.uk

Tandridge District Council’s Local Plan is ‘unsound’ and should be withdrawn, a planning inspector has told the Surrey local authority.

The Plan involved more than 6,000 new homes, including a garden community with around 4,000 in South Godstone.

Tandridge first submitted ‘Our Local Plan: 2033’ to the Planning Inspectorate more than four years ago.

In a letter sent to the council earlier this month, planning inspector Philip Lewis said it was not possible to make the Plan sound by modifying it, so he recommended that the Plan was not adopted.

Mr Lewis said there were ‘significant unanswered questions’ concerning highway capacity, particularly after funding for transport infrastructure from the Housing Infrastructure Fund was refused.

The letter followed a meeting between the council and planning inspector in July. The council said it was ‘disappointed’ with the meeting’s outcome.

A ‘pragmatic solution’ to the inspector’s concerns, including removing the garden community from the Plan, was put forward at the meeting, the council said.

Tandridge’s planning policy committee will discuss the letter on 21 September. It has been asked to inform the planning inspector how it wishes to proceed by the end of that month.

If this article was of interest, then check out our feature, ‘What planning authorities can learn from Garden Cities’.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

Social Worker - Family Support and Safeguarding - Bicester Banbury

Oxfordshire County Council
£37035 - £47754
You will manage a caseload tailored to your experience, ensuring that children’s and their families’ voices are heard, and their needs are met. You will work with families using the FSP Workbook modules, and a strengths-based approach, ensuring the As Bicester
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Executive Director of Resources & Governance (S151 Officer)

Basildon Borough Council
Up to £146,245
Together, we lead. Together, we deliver. Together, we transform. Basildon, Essex
Recuriter: Basildon Borough Council

Executive Director of Homes, Communities & Environment

Basildon Borough Council
Up to £146,245
Together, we lead. Together, we deliver. Together, we transform. Basildon, Essex
Recuriter: Basildon Borough Council

Executive Director of Strategy, People & Transformation

Basildon Borough Council
Up to £146,245
Together, we lead. Together, we deliver. Together, we transform. Basildon, Essex
Recuriter: Basildon Borough Council
Linkedin Banner