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Local Plan Consultation Update - End of October 2019
Thank you to everyone who took the trouble to respond to the Elmbridge Local Plan Consultation which closed at the end of September 2019.
We have been told that there were over 6500 responses with 2100 of those coming from Cobham, Oxshott, Downside and Stoke D'Abernon.
85% of the total responses received by the council were in favour of Option 4, our preferred option. Over 90% in our area chose Option 4 together with the Dittons, Hinchley Wood, Claygate and Esher.
Although the council made it clear that the consultation wasn't a referendum, this high level of support for Option 4 means it cannot be ignored.
The council planning department is now analysing the consultation responses and will use this analysis to build a new draft Local Plan. This is planned to be put forward to the residents in a further consultation in January 2020.
Depending on the outcome of this new consultation, a revised draft Local Plan will be sent to the Housing Inspector. If approved, it will become the new Elmbridge Local Plan in early 2021.
We think these timescales are quite ambitious and are likely to slip.
If you have signed up for our newsletter we will send you further updates as they are announced.
Elmbridge Local Plan Consultation has now closed
Local Plan Consultation Closed
The Elmbridge Local Plan Consultation closed on the 30th September 2019.
Thank you to all those who responded and completed the consultation questionnaire, Elmbridge report that over 6500 responses have been received.
We don't yet know how many chose Option 4 but hopefully, the majority did and gave a clear signal to the council.
A big thank you to all our volunteers who helped distribute leaflets and erected banners to make other residents aware of the consultation, without you, we could not have raised the profile of this important consultation.
What Happens Next
The council will now review the responses to the consultation and issue a feedback document by mid-December 2019. The next Local Plan consultation is expected early 2020.
If you have signed up for our Cobham Green Belt newsletter you will receive updates as we get them.
Thank you to all those who attended the CGBG's public meeting to discuss the Elmbridge Local Housing Plan
Thank you to all those who came to St Andrew's Church, Cobham on Thursday 19th September 2019 to attend the Cobham Green Belt Group's public meeting to discuss the Elmbridge Local Housing Plan.
The church was packed out with concerned residents who wanted to understand more about the consultation options, especially when the Elmbridge council public meeting focused on Cobham, Oxshott, Downside and Stoke D'Abernon was unable to accommodate all those who wanted to attend.
After a warm welcome by Mike Branscombe, the vicar of St Andrew's, Sir Gerry Acher of the Cobham Conservation gave an introduction about the consultation and emphasised how important it was that all residents took part in the consultation before it closed on Monday 30th September 2019.
Adrian Wise, Chairman of the Cobham Green Belt Group, then gave a presentation about the consultation options and details of the housing numbers involved. He also explained why Option 4 was the best option. The presentation slides can be downloaded here.
Councillor James Browne then gave some further background about the consultation and explained all the local councillors were recommending Option 4.
Gerry Acher then opened the Questions and Answers section and invited other local residents associations to join the panel at the front. Residents then had the opportunity to ask questions and to express their concerns.
Finally, Gerry Acher thanked the panel and the residents for taking the time to get involved and urged everyone to take the next steps:-
Next Steps
- Complete the Questionnaire via the Elmbridge Borough Council website
- Encourage all your Friends and Families to complete the questionnaire
- Visit the www.cobhamgreenbelt.org.uk website for more information, suggestions help.
- Choose Option 4
- Complete all the questions and say what else you want in the local plan
Presentation Slide Pack
Webcast of the Local Plan, Cobham, Oxshott & Stoke D'Abernon (Mon, 2nd Sep 2019 - 7:00 pm)
The Cobham, Oxshott and Stoke D'Abernon meeting on the 2nd Sept 2019 is Sold Out but will be webcast live at 7pm so you will be able to attend ‘virtually’ via the following link:
elmbridge.public-i.tv/core/portal/home
These webcasts are also available to view via this link after the meeting so you do have an opportunity to see what was said from the following day.