Reigate and Banstead’s Core Strategy - the lynch-pin plan for development in the borough through to the year 2027 and with key implications for the Green Belt – has been judged ‘sound’ by a Government Planning Inspector.

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council has greeted the judgement as providing “an appropriate basis for the planning of the borough over the next 15 years.”

The inspector's report has been published after careful scrutiny, including public examination sessions held last May and December.

The borough council highlighted key details from it, stating: “The Inspector supports the over-all level of growth proposed by the council for the next 15 years, and agrees with the Core Strategy’s ‘urban areas first’ approach to the location of development.”

The council statement continued: “He agrees that extensions to existing settlements, requiring some Green Belt development, will be needed during the life of the plan. “He concludes that the areas of search for these ‘sustainable urban extensions’ identified in the Core Strategy - around Horley, east of Redhill and east of Merstham and South/South West Reigate - are appropriate, and that these will only be developed if the council cannot demonstrate that it has a five-year supply of other housing sites.“ Mike Miller, borough council executive member for planning and development, said: “It is great news that our Core Strategy has been found sound by the Inspector when so many other local authorities are struggling to achieve this.”

Coun Miller said: “Councillors and officers have worked extremely hard to secure a positive plan for Reigate and Banstead based on robust technical evidence. “Having an up-to-date Core Strategy puts us in a strong position to control when and where development happens, and to resist inappropriate development proposals.” A council spokeswoman said: “It is anticipated that the Core Strategy will be formally adopted by the council at the Full Council meeting on April 10, following consideration by the council’s Executive in March.”

She said: “The council will now start to develop detailed proposals for future development in the borough. “Public consultation on potential development sites is planned for summer this year.”

People wishing to be added to the council’s consultation database should email: ldf@reigate-banstead.gov.uk The Planning Inspector’s report is available on the council’s website at: www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/csexam