WORK on a new neighbourhood of more than 1,500 homes could begin after five years of delay.
Planning permission was granted for the Horley North West sector in 2007, but developers, landowners and the borough council have failed to resolve legal agreements since.
But a rejuvenated plan, to include a bigger school site, was approved last week by Reigate and Banstead Borough Council's planning committee, and developers now hope to tie up the legal ends this year.
"This is a fundamental step," said David Lander, planning consultant from Boyer Planning, which represents a consortium of four developers.
"The 2007 resolution set down the principle of the scheme but it couldn't go ahead without going through what we have gone through this year [including updated studies into transport, ecology and flooding].
"We are well advanced with negotiating legal agreements with the council. Everybody is committed to getting this signed off by the end of the year."
He said work would start on construction roads and a bridge over the River Mole in 2013.
The updated plans were unanimously approved by the council last Wednesday.
Horley West councillor Mike Miller said he was delighted the new plans include extra space for a larger primary school.
Mike George, who represents Horley North West on Horley Town Council, said: "People have probably forgotten about it because nothing has happened, but it is a question of when, not if, it happens. As with the north east development, the market will dictate the speed at which it is built."