NEW PLANNING SCHEME MAY MEAN DEVELOPMENT IN GREEN BELT
New planning rules may mean development in the Green Belt. The "Local Development Framework is a new planning system, shortly to be brought in for planning authorities such as Mole Valley.
One of the priority areas will be building new homes. Mole Valley is expected to make provision for at least 3,760 new homes, a 10% increase on the existing number of house in the district. To meet the affordable housing needs of rural communities, it is proposed that small scale affordable housing scheme may be allowed as an exception to the normal constraints on development in the countryside.
Conservative Councillor Clare Curran (Bookham North) said:-
"Over the next twenty years, more development will be required in Mole Valley to deliver Government house building targets. We also have to meet the needs of the local community for new affordable homes, jobs, shops and other services, including schools, medical facilities and recreation requirements. It is the Council’s responsibility to plan for this new development by working with the local community to produce a new Local Development Framework.
This is all about our vision for Mole Valley. We need local people to join into the consultation that is taking place up and down the district during May and early June. Details can be found on the council’s website and I urge as many people as possible to go along to the "drop in" sessions and make their views known. This is one of the most important consultations that we as a council have ever carried out. We need the input of local residents, if this plan is to work."
8th May 2008
Malcolm Johnson – Communications Officer - Conservative Group of Councillors – Mole Valley