The MP for Kingston and Surbiton has led the backlash against Elmbridge Council's plans to build thousands of homes on the greenbelt bordering Kingston.

The proposals are part of the council's local plan, which is currently under public consultation.

The assessed housing need for Elmbridge estimates that 9,480 new homes are going to be needed in the borough over the next 19 years to 2035.

But the administration has said the best way of achieving this is by releasing parcels of greenbelt to developers.

The "key strategic areas" of "weakly performing" greenbelt have been earmarked and include Knowle Hill and Fairmile parks, Chippings Farm and the Fairmile in Cobham.

The land north of the A309 and east and west of Woodstock Lane North in Long Ditton is the third area.

Surrey Comet:

The piece of land bordering Kingston which Elmbridge Council would like to open up to housing

But Kingston and Surbiton MP James Berry said the plans were "appalling" and would leave his constituents in Tolworth and Surbiton "bearing the brunt" of pressure from developments.

He said: "Lib Dem Residents’ Association-controlled Elmbridge Council’s plans for mass housebuilding on the greenbelt by the Ace of Spades are appalling.

"I am against development on the greenbelt and Elmbridge Councils’ plans would see Surbiton and Tolworth residents bearing the brunt of the additional pressure mass housebuilding would put on or roads, schools and other vital infrastructure.

"Not only would the payments received from the developer be insufficient to off-set these costs in full, but they would be paid directly to Elmbridge Council, not to the council in Kingston.

"I urge Kingston residents to respond to Elmbridge Council's consultation and or to add their names to my petition so that Elmbridge Council is forced to cancel its plans for mass house building on the greenbelt by Surbiton and Tolworth."

Furious Kingston residents have added their voices to the debate, saying the development would impact on the infrastructure of Surbiton and Tolworth.

An open letter to Kingston councillors and Mr Berry from Keith McMahon, treasurer of the Sugden Allotment Association, calls for the greenbelt to be "suitably protected".

He said: "Some of you may already be aware that the greenbelt abutting, and indeed part of, our borough is under thread from a proposal that Elmbridge Borough Council are considering to allow a 1,000 home development in Long Ditton.

"The land is parcel 58 of the green belt and the development suggested  would be on land adjacent to the A309 from the Cap In Hand, down past Woodstock Lane towards Hinchley Wood.

"A development of this size would have a very significant impact on RBK resources and facilities including schools, doctors, dentists and local infrastructure.

"The proposal appears to suggest re-designating the entire Block 58 of the green belt to allow development.

"There is a lot of local activity already in place, but any support that you can offer to ensure that the greenbelt is suitably protected and that inappropriate development is prevented would be very gratefully received."

Elmbridge councillors have estimated that 3,700 of the needed homes in the borough can be built on previously developed land in urban areas, but that would leave 5,780 homes remaining.

Residents are being asked to come forward to the council with their opinions on the three proposed options.

Option 1 suggests maintaining the existing greenbelt and only building on urban areas by increasing the density of homes on developments.

Option 2 - the favoured option by the council - is to open up the three areas of greenbelt for housing in addition to building on urban areas.

Option 3 is to combine both option 1 and 2 and build on the greenbelt and increase the density of homes in urban areas.

Dates for the next public consultations:

  • Thursday, January 26 - 7-9pm Civic Centre, High Street, Esher
  • Saturday, February 4 10- 2pm Civic Centre, High Street, Esher