Cobham Conservation and Heritage Trust

Cobham Green Belt Threat

Those of you who attended our Open Meeting in December will have heard Councillor James Browne explain that the Council was having to produce a new Local Plan, and a major part of the Plan was to provide 9,480 new homes by 2035 - an increase of 5,755 more than previously planned.

I am sure the first thought that came to most people's mind was 'What about the infrastructure, roads, local school places, local health provision etc?". What we are faced with is the possible loss of three areas of Green Belt land within the borough of Elmbridge:-

  1. North of Blundell Lane in the Knowle Hill Park, Fairmile Park, and the Polyapes (Scout Camp) area, and the area of land up to the "Brickpit" pond which includes a number of designated "Ancient Woodland Areas".
  2. Chippings Farm and the Fairmile between the Portsmouth Road and the A3.

These two are local and the third area is in Long Ditton near the A3.

We are now in a Consultation Period lasting up until the 10th February 2017.

You can find out more about what is proposed and how it might affect you by attending one of the drop in sessions provided by the council as detailed below, and by reading the documentation on the Elmbridge Borough Council website via the following link:

  www.consult.elmbridge.gov.uk/consult.ti/lpsoc/consultationHome

Council Drop in Sessions

Date Time Venue
Tue 10 January 2017 7-9pm Lecture Hall, 1st Floor Weybridge Library, Church St, Weybridge KT13 8DE
Wed 11 January 2017 7-9pm Cobham Community Centre, Oakdene Road, Cobham KT11 2LY
Tue 17 January 2017 2pm Stoke d’Abernon Village Hall, Station Road, Stoke D'Abernon KT11 3BN
Thu 19 January 2017 7-9pm Hinchley Wood Secondary School, Claygate Lane, Esher KT10 0AQ
Mon 23 January 2017 7-9pm Cecil Hepworth Playhouse, Bridge Street, Walton-on-Thames KT12 1AU
Thu 26 January 2017 7-9pm Civic Centre, High Street, Esher KT10 9SD
Sat 4 February 2017 10-2pm Civic Centre, High Street, Esher KT10 9SD

It is vital that you let the Council know your thoughts and concerns by responding to the Consultation, either by using the online consultation portal questionnaire or printing out the Response Form and e-mailing it to the Council at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by post to Planning Policy, Planning Services, Elmbridge Borough Council, Civic Centre, High Street, Esher, KT10 9SD.

Our team is analysing the information provided, and we will be putting more information on this website (www.cobhamheritage.org.uk) and the Cobham Greenbelt website (www.cobhamgreenbelt.org.uk), which we feel will be helpful during this consultation period.

Other local organisations including Cobham & Downside Residents' Association, Stoke D'Abernon Residents' Association and Oxshott Residents' Association (Fedora) are also very concerned and are objecting to these proposals.

Finally, the Government, who are pushing for more homes to be built, has emphasised that Greenbelt designation should only be amended "In exceptional circumstances" and "with the support of local people".

We do hope you will take part in the Consultation and encourage your neighbours and friends to voice their opinion. It is our communities which could be affected.

Become a Volunteer with Cobham Heritage

The Cobham Conservation and Heritage Trust is a local charity which relies on vounteers to help run the Trust, promote local history and conservation issues and organise fund raising events such as our annual Cobham Heritage Day. If you think you might like to join us, visit our Volunteer Vacancies page to find out which roles you might like to get involved with. We always try to make it fun.


Queens Award for Voluntary Service

Riverhill Greenflag Award

Green Flag Award

Open Spaces Award

Open Spaces Award