THE Caterham on the Hill area has received all the pain from massive development – with nothing back in return.
That's the complaint from petitioners who are pressing for a better deal for the increasingly built-up area.
The 161-home Oakgrove development, currently under construction off Coulsdon Road, brings the total number of new properties built off that road alone to around 900 in the past 15 years.
And now campaigners are saying enough is enough.
A petition is under way urging that Government funds to offset extra development should be directed by Tandridge District Council to one of the local areas that has borne the brunt of all the extra homes.
The New Homes Bonus scheme sees local councils given payments when homes are created in their area.
For each Band D home the council adds to its council tax base, the council its gets extra funding.
It has resulted in £234,000 being allocated to the whole district last November, of which the lion's share – £202,000 – was accrued because of development in Caterham alone.
But none of this cash has found its way specifically back to the town to help ease the "overstretched" amenities.
Sarah Burningham, chairman of the petition's organisers Caterham on the Hill Parish Council, said: "We get a lot of the pain from massive development around here, but none of the gain.
"More funding ploughed back into our area could provide facilities ranging from road safety improvements and more park amenities to extra public conveniences."
Caterham Festival organiser Andy Parr, who lives in Manor Avenue, said: "Our infrastructure is under increasing pressure – for instance, I could not get a dental appointment anywhere locally.
"Stanstead Road alone has about 90 new houses built in recent years, totally transforming it."
Resident Paul Hooper, of Campbell Road, said: "Caterham on the Hill is like the poor relation.
"We are getting more and more residents packed in, which must be putting a strain on the roads and sewers, among other things."
A spokeswoman for Tandridge District Council said: "It is the council's agreed policy that the income streams from the New Homes Bonus go into the General Fund budget.
"This approach takes the line that the New Homes Bonus will benefit all services of the council and not be designated to any particular service or function.
"A Community Infrastructure Levy may be introduced in Tandridge district next year.
"It would impose a charge on developers undertaking new building projects."
Going out for consultation in the late summer, it could see funds earmarked for the likes of improvements to Caterham Dene Hospital, the extension of Caterham Hill Library, and providing a cemetery in or near the town.
To view the online petition, visit http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/nhbandcil.
