Surrey countryside masterplan

The proposed development comprises the erection of up to 200 residential dwellings on a greenfield site located on land in the Surrey countryside. The scheme is presented as a deliverable, policy-informed response to a significant shortfall in housing land supply. The site occupies a transitional position between rural land and existing dispersed residential clusters, and is promoted as a sustainable extension to this pattern of development. The proposals include a mixed-tenure residential scheme with 30% affordable housing, a range of dwelling sizes, and a layout that integrates green infrastructure, surface water management, and public open space.

From a design and placemaking perspective, the scheme seeks to respond sensitively to local character through a relatively low-density layout, retention of landscape features, and the incorporation of pocket parks, play areas, and sustainable drainage features within areas of surface water flood risk. Access is proposed via an upgraded existing junction, with improvements to visibility and internal connectivity, alongside compliance with parking standards and provision for active travel. The proximity to a large, consented but undelivered strategic development is a key contextual factor, supporting the case for sustainable growth and future integration with wider infrastructure, services, and employment opportunities.

The principal town planning considerations relate to the acceptability of residential development in an unallocated countryside location, landscape impact within a designated area of landscape value, and the balancing of policy conflict against the presumption in favour of sustainable development. Additional constraints include nearby heritage assets, a public right of way crossing the site, adjacent ancient woodland, and the requirement to achieve biodiversity net gain. Notwithstanding these factors, the proposal is positioned within the “tilted balance” of national policy, with the delivery of market and affordable housing on a readily available site considered to outweigh the moderate harm associated with development in the countryside.