Claygate Courier—issue 56—March 2025

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HUGE RISE IN TARGET FOR HOUSEBUILDING

The government has increased Elmbridge’s housebuilding target by 139 per cent – a huge rise on top of a figure that was already considered unachievable without encroachment on the Green Belt.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework, published in December, imposes drastically increased housing targets for the vast majority of planning authorities outside London. It contains a “presumption in favour of sustainable development”, although a variety of protections are included for the Green Belt, various types of conservation area, and other land.

These designations become especially relevant if a local authority cannot demonstrate a five-year supply of land for housing and/or does not have a valid Local Plan in place. Elmbridge’s current Local Plan expires in 2026, and a new Draft Local Plan is unlikely to be in place before 2028, the version previously submitted having been found to be “unsound” by the Planning Inspector. This is likely to make it increasingly difficult for Elmbridge to refuse applications for developments which satisfy the generalised requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework.

Claygate Parish Council will, of course, continue to oppose any development on the Green Belt around the village.

But the planning turbulence does not end there. After Elmbridge’s Draft Local Plan was found “unsound” and requiring extensive revisions, the Parish Council learned that the government will not permit extensions to the standard six-month period for revising Draft Local Plans after an Examination in Public. The Elmbridge Planning Department has therefore recommended that the existing Draft Plan be withdrawn and rewritten.

To make the process even more complicated, the timetable for the rewriting of the Elmbridge Local Plan overlaps with the accelerated timetable for the planned reorganisation of local government in Surrey. Elmbridge’s new Local Plan timetable calls for it to be ready for Examination in Public by May 2028.

But in May 2027, the government’s proposed new unitary authority in Surrey will, in principle, take over the planning function, as Surrey’s borough and district councils disappear. It is not known how this transition will be managed or what effect the reorganisation of Surrey may have on the timetable for a new Local Plan.

Anthony Sheppard, Planning Committee Chairman

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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Donna Holt, who chairs Claygate Parish Council, highlights the level of rapid and drastic changes with which councillors are having to wrestle.

The past few months have been eventful, with the new government’s policies becoming apparent, particularly regarding devolution and housing, plus the adoption by the Parish Council of the Claygate: The Way Forward initiative. These have shaped how we will function in the future.

Amid these developments, however, we have continued with our regular activities. The Council has been participating in village events, maintaining our regular communication with the village via noticeboards, website, social media, and the Courier. We are organising a Flower Show stall, two Litter Picks a year, arranging the Remembrance Day Parade, hosting Green Elmbridge, holding quarterly mee􀀣ngs with Elmbridge Borough Council and on an ad hoc basis for Claygate: The Way Forward, running the Village Meeting and participating in the upcoming Claygate Village Association’s Get Involved Day, from which we will run our bi-annual Litter Pick from the car park on April 26.

We have reviewed more than 100 planning applications over the year and are dealing with the impact on Claygate of the rejection of the draft Local Plan by the Planning Inspectorate, as explained by Councillor Anthony Sheppard.

The Environment, Highways and Transport Committee has been addressing various issues raised by residents, such as removing dead trees on the Meadow Road traffic island, reviewing mobility and accessibility concerns within the village, addressing street appearance issues due to weeds, organising a new bench for The Parade, and considering the environmental impact of on-street parking, among many others.

I have been discussing secondary school admissions policies for Claygate children with the leader of the Hinchley Wood School Trust and Sandra Cunningham, Head at Claygate Primary School. And I have made representations from the whole Parish Council on behalf of the Claygate community on this issue.

The council has also been participating in Elmbridge Borough Council’s review of community centres, which seeks the views of local residents. The Parish Council is well placed to contribute, as Councillor Jenny French is our expert on this topic, thanks to the important work she has carried out establishing Lower Green Community Centre in Esher.

Claygate: The Way Forward continues to shape our thinking, of course, and over the past six months, we have been collaborating with Elmbridge to develop a vision and an implementation plan based on the village survey and report recommendations. These documents are now drafted and will be published by Elmbridge for consultation in April. Notably, our recommendation for 30 minutes of free parking in the two main village car parks has already been implemented.

Regarding the future of Torrington Lodge car park, Elmbridge says it will consult on various mixed-use scenarios and the Parish Council will collaborate closely as this proceeds.

While the Parish Council does not engage in party politics, we must address the impact of recent legislation and policy, particularly concerning building and devolution. On housing policy, Claygate Parish Council maintains its position against development on Claygate’s Green Belt. The government's revised National Planning Policy Framework and increased housing targets for most local authorities outside London will add pressure for denser development and encroachment on the Green Belt. The Parish Council will monitor developments closely and resist any attempts to build on Claygate’s Green Belt.

Under the government’s devolution plan, the transition to a single unitary body covering our area is set to be in place by May 2027. The Parish Council is working with Surrey County Council and Elmbridge Borough Council to ensure that Claygate's voice is heard during this transition. The role of parish councils is expected to continue. Claygate has the only parish council in Elmbridge, leaving us better placed to ensure that we are represented effectively, despite these changes.

The Annual Village Meeting takes place at 7.30pm on March 20 in the Village Hall and all are welcome. Graham Dear from the Grace Dear Trust will speak on Youth Mental Health and Social Media Impacts. His talk is suitable for ages 11 and up and young people are welcome to attend.

There will also be a panel discussion on Devolution with Councillor Tim Oliver, Surrey County Council leader; Councillor Mike Rollings, Elmbridge Borough Council leader; and Chris Howard, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Surrey and Chair of the Surrey Association of Local Councils. A half-hour public Q&A session will be held on these topics, followed by a 30-minute session for general questions on village issues.

Finally, on behalf of the Parish Council, I would like to thank you, the residents of Claygate, for electing us as your unpaid representatives. We look forward to addressing the above challenges and continuing our work this year.

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NEW FOOTBRIDGE LIFTED INTO PLACE

A spectacular operation to lower the replacement railway footbridge into position at Claygate station took place in January, using a giant crane. Work then followed in February to secure and make the bridge ready for opening.

The original bridge was closed two years ago after being found to be dangerously corroded. For a short time, villagers had to cope without a bridge before the temporary structure was put in place.

Network Rail says it took 10 weeks to build the new footbridge: “It’s lighter than the old one, as we used modern materials such as glass reinforced plastic for the treads and decking. It’s been designed to replicate the look of the original footbridge.” It weighs about 10 tonnes and because of the lifting radius required to swing the new bridge into place, engineers used a 300-tonne crane, requiring The Parade to be closed.

Further painting and lighting work is still needed to finish the footbridge even after opening, as weather hampered completion of the final touches.

STATION REACHES GRAND OLD AGE

The work on the footbridge coincided with Claygate Station reaching 140 years of age. It was built in 1885, and a goods yard—now the car park—helped Claygate bring in supplies for its farms and brickworks, and enhanced the transport of their produce.