Ministers are being urged to work with Runnymede and Weybridge MP Dr Ben Spencer and local councillors to protect residents from uncoordinated and uncontrolled development in Elmbridge.
In a joint letter, the MP and Local Councillors have highlighted the increased risk Elmbridge residents face from inappropriate development as a result of the combined impact of Elmbridge Council’s failure to deliver a Local Plan, Government planning reforms and the timing of Local Government reorganisation. In light of this, they have called on the Minister to work with local representatives to protect residents and support action to prevent uncoordinated and unsupported development in Elmbridge until a Local Plan can be adopted.
While there is widespread agreement that new homes are needed, this needs to be delivered alongside necessary infrastructure investment and improvements. Without this we risk serious harm to our local natural environment, development on Green Belt land and flood plain, further chaos and congestion on our roads, greater pressure on school and GP places, and more pressure on the already overstretched sewerage infrastructure, risks more overflows into our waterways.
However, Elmbridge Borough Council’s failure to deliver a Local Plan means essential protections are not in place, meaning residents and the local authority have less ability to push back against inappropriate development. This, combined with the Government’s planning reforms which restrict local input into planning decisions while at the same time doubling the number of houses required to be built in the area, mean residents across Elmbridge face greater risk from inappropriate planning.
This is further compounded by Local Government Reform, which will see planning authority pass from the borough to a new Unitary Authority in 2027 – making planning for and passing a new Local Plan an even more difficult task. And until this is in place, the heightened risk remains.
Dr Ben Spencer MP said:
It is vital the Government and Local authority protect residents and ensure a strategic and coordinated approach to development – residents in Elmbridge should not have to pay the consequence for EBC failings or Government intransigence.
Together we will continue to work at all levels for Elmbridge residents to receive the same protections as others across the country.