JUST nine days remain for residents to have their say on Mole Valley District Council's green belt review.
The council has been inviting views from its residents on its initial work to review the green belt boundary around the district's towns and larger villages.
It is conducting this review as part of its commitment agreed in MVDC's Core Strategy document to make sure there is enough land for housing over the next ten years or so.
Councillor John Northcott, Portfolio Holder for Planning said: "The council is having to balance the government's objective that more housing is provided in the District with the need to safeguard the green belt and other protected areas. There is already planning permission for about 450 new homes on brownfield sites and we are combing the built up areas for more including looking at the scope for converting some offices into new homes.
"But this is unlikely to be enough which is why we are having to look at land in the green belt. With over 70% of Mole Valley in the green belt, finding suitable areas for development is challenging. Initial thoughts are however, that significantly less than one percent of the green belt would be necessary to meet Mole Valley's foreseeable housing needs.
"This is a difficult but necessary issue that we need to address. I would strongly encourage residents to tell us what they think by logging on."
The results of the consultation will help form the basis of Mole Valley's consideration of which areas of the green nelt must be protected, and which may potentially be identified for future development.
The consultation period will close on Thursday 28 March so to have your say visit www.molevalley.gov.uk/localplans to view the document and leave any comments.
The council has been inviting views from its residents on its initial work to review the green belt boundary around the district's towns and larger villages.
It is conducting this review as part of its commitment agreed in MVDC's Core Strategy document to make sure there is enough land for housing over the next ten years or so.
Councillor John Northcott, Portfolio Holder for Planning said: "The council is having to balance the government's objective that more housing is provided in the District with the need to safeguard the green belt and other protected areas. There is already planning permission for about 450 new homes on brownfield sites and we are combing the built up areas for more including looking at the scope for converting some offices into new homes.
"But this is unlikely to be enough which is why we are having to look at land in the green belt. With over 70% of Mole Valley in the green belt, finding suitable areas for development is challenging. Initial thoughts are however, that significantly less than one percent of the green belt would be necessary to meet Mole Valley's foreseeable housing needs.
"This is a difficult but necessary issue that we need to address. I would strongly encourage residents to tell us what they think by logging on."
The results of the consultation will help form the basis of Mole Valley's consideration of which areas of the green nelt must be protected, and which may potentially be identified for future development.
The consultation period will close on Thursday 28 March so to have your say visit www.molevalley.gov.uk/localplans to view the document and leave any comments.
