As mentioned in the last e-mail update, FEDORA has prepared a comprehensive update summarising the potential changes arising from the Government’s recent announcements on reforms to planning policy designed to enable the building of 1.5 million new homes.
The implications for Oxshott are profound. There is a fairly high probability of a large increase in planning applications for high density developments that could even include high rise blocks of flats. And worse, the large areas of Green Belt land particularly to the south of the village could be consumed by large housing developments that more than triple the existing population over perhaps the next ten years.
None of this is certain as yet but the threat is really clear. However, even if Government policy is approved, the reality is that it will probably not get implemented as fully intended. Nevertheless Oxshott faces an enormous challenge that could irretrievably change its character.
For the moment, the plan is for FEDORA to respond to the national consultation on changes to planning policy. Anyone with an interest in the matter can do the same. At the same time, discussions are being held with both local councillors and other local interest groups to consider the impact on Elmbridge.
For more information, please click here to read the full FEDORA update.