Update on Local Plan
The Lib Dem group commented extensively on the Regulation 18 stage of consultation on the draft Local Plan. Our response to the Regulation 19 consultation is a summary of our current position. At every opportunity we have made it clear that we do not agree with some of the content of the draft Local Plan, in particular the housing formulae created by central government, the use of virgin Green Belt land to accommodate the housing target, the density/height of some of the site proposals, and the mix of housing which should be included for the future. Some of our other suggestions at Reg 18 have been accommodated, in particular the greater use of renewable energy, biodiversity net gain and the provision of affordable housing. Generally speaking, we consider that the value of green space, green corridors, the provision of allotments and some other provisions which could mitigate climate change, have not been given sufficient emphasis.
We believe it is not possible at local level to decide whether or not this draft Local Plan is legally compliant and meets the tests of "soundness", since that partly subjective judgement is within the remit of he experts and Planning Inspectorate.
Update on Local Plan
At December's Epsom & Ewell full Council meeting, it was agreed to send the Local Plan, with its Green Belt sites, onward to the mandatory regulation 19 consultation, and then submission to government. The vote out of 31 councillors, was 16 in favour, 8 against, 7 abstentions. Although there were three separate Recommendations concerning "soundness" of the Plan, the Mayor decided there would only be one vote.
Liberal Democrat councillors voted that the Plan was unsound. Even though it is much needed, they have never agreed that Horton Farm, a virgin Green Belt site, should be included. They don't agree with the various formulae used to generate so-called housing need. They have not agreed with the density, height and dwelling types for future house building in Epsom and Ewell.
Whether or not the Plan will be submitted in time to be judged on the former Conservative government's housing targets, or will be found non-compliant because the new Labour government has already introduced its (much greater) housing targets, is anyone's guess.
Other councils are known to have fast-tracked their Local Plan in an attempt to beat the submission deadlines, although even those deadlines are in themselves not precisely clear. Despite a formal request to the Mayor, he had refused to hold an Extraordinary Council Meeting to speed up the various procedures which still have to be dealt with before submission. Shortly after the meeting, Government released a statement indicating that the latest date for submission would be 12th March 2025. SHORTLY AFTER THE MEETING, THE WHOLE DOCUMENT WAS POSTED ONLINE ON THE COUNCIL'S WEBSITE AND BEGUN ITS “REGULATION 19” SIX WEEK CONSULTATION.
Cllr Julie Morris, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, said "This Council has never really got to grips with properly updating its local policies and actually we have done rather well in being able to fend off inappropriate and opportunist planning applications thus far." She continued "Having the official documents necessary to guide what happens in our borough in the future is surely paramount for any party in control of any local authority. The ruling Residents Association group here has failed miserably in this regard."
The consultation closes on 5th February. We look forward to the draft Plan being submitted.