Cobham Green Belt Threat
Those of you who attended our Open Meeting in December will have heard Councillor James Browne explain that the Council was having to produce a new Local Plan, and a major part of the Plan was to provide 9,480 new homes by 2035 - an increase of 5,755 more than previously planned.
I am sure the first thought that came to most people's mind was 'What about the infrastructure, roads, local school places, local health provision etc?". What we are faced with is the possible loss of three areas of Green Belt land within the borough of Elmbridge:-
- North of Blundell Lane in the Knowle Hill Park, Fairmile Park, and the Polyapes (Scout Camp) area, and the area of land up to the "Brickpit" pond which includes a number of designated "Ancient Woodland Areas".
- Chippings Farm and the Fairmile between the Portsmouth Road and the A3.
These two are local and the third area is in Long Ditton near the A3.
We are now in a Consultation Period lasting up until the 10th February 2017.
You can find out more about what is proposed and how it might affect you by attending one of the drop in sessions provided by the council as detailed below, and by reading the documentation on the Elmbridge Borough Council website via the following link:
www.consult.elmbridge.gov.uk/consult.ti/lpsoc/consultationHome
Council Drop in Sessions
| Date | Time | Venue |
| Tue 10 January 2017 | 7-9pm | Lecture Hall, 1st Floor Weybridge Library, Church St, Weybridge KT13 8DE |
| Wed 11 January 2017 | 7-9pm | Cobham Community Centre, Oakdene Road, Cobham KT11 2LY |
| Tue 17 January 2017 | 2pm | Stoke d’Abernon Village Hall, Station Road, Stoke D'Abernon KT11 3BN |
| Thu 19 January 2017 | 7-9pm | Hinchley Wood Secondary School, Claygate Lane, Esher KT10 0AQ |
| Mon 23 January 2017 | 7-9pm | Cecil Hepworth Playhouse, Bridge Street, Walton-on-Thames KT12 1AU |
| Thu 26 January 2017 | 7-9pm | Civic Centre, High Street, Esher KT10 9SD |
| Sat 4 February 2017 | 10-2pm | Civic Centre, High Street, Esher KT10 9SD |
It is vital that you let the Council know your thoughts and concerns by responding to the Consultation, either by using the online consultation portal questionnaire or printing out the Response Form and e-mailing it to the Council at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by post to Planning Policy, Planning Services, Elmbridge Borough Council, Civic Centre, High Street, Esher, KT10 9SD.
Our team is analysing the information provided, and we will be putting more information on this website (www.cobhamheritage.org.uk) and the Cobham Greenbelt website (www.cobhamgreenbelt.org.uk), which we feel will be helpful during this consultation period.
Other local organisations including Cobham & Downside Residents' Association, Stoke D'Abernon Residents' Association and Oxshott Residents' Association (Fedora) are also very concerned and are objecting to these proposals.
Finally, the Government, who are pushing for more homes to be built, has emphasised that Greenbelt designation should only be amended "In exceptional circumstances" and "with the support of local people".
We do hope you will take part in the Consultation and encourage your neighbours and friends to voice their opinion. It is our communities which could be affected.
