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Surrey
Heath Borough Council Surrey Police Woking Area
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Council Objects To Housing Plan
Objections have been raised to a plan which aims to bring 3,740 homes to Surrey Heath over the next 20 years. Surrey Heath Borough Council fears that the environment and local roads and services would be unable to cope with the proposed development.
The South East Plan, which has been compiled by the South East of England Regional Assembly (SEERA), seeks to identify development and social needs across the region between 2006 and 2026. The plan aims to balance continuing economic and housing growth with better environmental management and reduce the gap between the richest and poorest areas in the region.
Members of the Council's Executive believe that the plan fails to take proper account of the European designations in this area. These protect the heathland areas within and surrounding the Borough.
Leader of the Council Cllr Moira Gibson, who is also a member of the Regional Planning Committee, said: "Whilst the council recognises that there is a need for some new housing in the borough, it is also concerned that the South East Plan in allocating 187 houses a year to Surrey Heath has failed to consider the environmental impact of this allocation, especially in the light of the EU Birds Directive, or what infrastructure there will be to support it."
She added: "The Council is also increasingly concerned about emerging water quality issues. The current drought orders in the East of Surrey cast into doubt the ability of the area to accommodate the level of new housing. For these reasons the Council will be objecting to the plan."
For more information visit
South East Plan
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