A DISPUTE has erupted between two villages after Effingham Parish Council revealed it may challenge the green belt review being carried out in neighbouring Bookham.
The council will decide on Tuesday next week whether to meet with Bookham Vanguard after villagers complained that sites close to Effingham were on the forum's list for possible development.
Villagers in Effingham are concerned that nearby developments on their boundary would cause significant issues and the council is asking for its views to be included in any review.
Effingham parish councillor Liz Hogger said: "Bookham's green belt is our green belt too.
"More houses in Bookham means more traffic on our already congested roads and more children needing school places, and the Howard of Effingham School is already oversubscribed.
"Effingham's voice should be heard in this process, yet sadly Bookham Vanguard shows little sign so far that it is listening to us."
Bookham Vanguard has been charged by the district council with compiling the village's Neighbourhood Development Plan.
The document will earmark green belt sites for potential development, as the district council looks to meet Government targets of providing 3,760 homes between 2006 and 2026.
But Effingham Parish Council chairman Arnold Pindar said: "Bookham Vanguard has some serious questions to answer about the way it proposes to carry out this green belt review.
"We are very disappointed Bookham Vanguard has not made the effort to reassure us that it had listened to Effingham residents before setting out its final version of the green belt tests.
"If Bookham Vanguard gets this wrong, its review could well be subject to legal challenge.
"Effingham Parish Council is determined to stand up for our residents."
Speaking to the Advertiser, Bookham Vanguard task leader Trevor Sokell said: "We have not proposed any land for development and no specific housing numbers have been decided.
"Several approaches have been made to Bookham Vanguard, by landowners and agents, offering a piece of land for future development.
"All Bookham Vanguard has done is publicise this to ensure the community is informed of all the information gathered so far, including potential sites for development.
"Bookham Vanguard is keenly aware that it has a near neighbour in Effingham [and] we are happy to meet and discuss areas of concern at any time."
Effingham Parish Council will decide whether to meet Bookham Vanguard during Tuesday's public meeting at the King George V Hall at 8pm.
Meanwhile, Bookham Vanguard will hold a community event on July 27, at the Old Barn Hall from 10am to 12.30pm, to answer any questions regarding the green belt review.
