Last night, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council's Licensing and Planning Policy Committee (LPPC) recommended proceeding with a statutory six-week public consultation on the Government-appointed Planning Inspector's proposed main modifications to the council's submitted Local Plan 2022-2040. Before the consultation can take place, approval must be granted by full Council. It is anticipated that a meeting of the full Council will take place next month.

The proposed main modifications have been identified by the Government-appointed Planning Inspector as necessary to make the Local Plan sound, an essential requirement before it can be adopted.

Key main modifications include the allocation of twelve additional urban sites, the allocation of four additional green belt sites and changes to the policy relating to the racecourse and racehorse training industry.  

If approved by full Council, the consultation would provide residents, businesses and other stakeholders with an opportunity to comment on the proposed modifications. Following the consultation, the Inspector would review all representations received and issue a final report, together with a schedule of Main Modifications required to make the plan sound. These documents would then be published on the council's website. This will mark the conclusion of the examination process.

Councillor Peter O’Donovan, Chair of the Licensing and Planning Policy Committee, said:

"An up-to-date Local Plan is essential to help shape how Epsom & Ewell develops in the years ahead. It provides a framework for meeting the borough's housing, infrastructure and community needs, while protecting the character, heritage and green spaces that residents value.

This stage of the examination process is led by the Government-appointed Planning Inspector, who determines what changes may be required before the Local Plan can be considered for adoption.

Having an adopted up-to-date Local Plan will put the council and our communities in a stronger position to ensure future development reflects the needs and priorities of the borough, while reducing the risk of speculative planning applications."

If the Inspector concludes that the Local Plan with the main modifications is sound, councillors will be asked to decide whether to formally adopt it as planning policy for the borough at a future meeting of the full Council.