Affordable homes plan sparks opposition

Plans to build affordable homes on green belt land in Surrey have sparked opposition amid concerns over lasting environmental and community harm.

The development, proposed on land off Longsdon Way in Caterham, would deliver 42 homes.

All will be classed as affordable and most are set to be offered for social rent, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Planning agent Christopher Roberts, who represents the development, said there were "considerable benefits" to delivering affordable homes.

He added most of the land would remain undeveloped with green space enhanced.

Planning officers at Tandridge District Council also supported the scheme, citing the local authority's lack of a five-year housing land supply and the need for affordable homes.

Nearly 350 objections have been lodged against the scheme.

At a council meeting on 16 April, one resident said the development would cause the "irreversible, partial destruction" of a valued green space.

"I moved here nearly 28 years ago, attracted by the surrounding open green spaces," they said.

Concerns were also raised over traffic and congestion, and loss to biodiversity.

Council planning officers said there were no objections from key technical experts, including highways, flood and environmental bodies.

Traffic increases would be relatively small and not severe enough to justify refusal under national policy, they added.

Councillors agreed that if it was solely up to them, they would refuse the scheme, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The final decision will be made by the Planning Inspectorate because the local authority failed to decide on the application in time.

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