We have heard today that the December Planning Committee has now been cancelled. There is no obvious or acceptable reason why the application couldn’t have been considered at the December meeting after what will have been 5 months since it was submitted.
This is concerning, totally unacceptable and very bad practice.
The next scheduled meeting is not until 29 January 2026.
We will update on our next steps shortly.
South Western Railways have informed us that they have just confirmed a way forward with UK National Power Networks regarding the HV cables and are planning to being work on site in February with a view to completing the work in the Spring.
A detailed programme is being finalised and South Western Railways have committed to issuing an update to residents and stakeholders shortly outlining the confirmed plans for the bridge reconstruction.
From 2027 the new council will control all the services currently undertaken by Surrey and Epsom & Ewell Borough Councils including Planning and Development, Transport and Highways, Education, Social Care and Waste Collection as well as the environment, parks and playgrounds.
As a Resident’s Association Councillor you would ensure the views of local people who live in the Epsom Town and Downs Division were heard at the decision-making table.
We are looking for people with strong connections to the local community and are committed to local priorities.
If this is you and you have the time and desire to serve I’d love to hear from you.
John Mumford, Chair (07989086516) or TownandDowns@epsomras.uk
Please forward this on to other residents you think might be interested.
WERS and Langley Vale Action Group are delighted to confirm that Surrey County Highways are still recommending refusal of planning permission for the residential development at Farm View, Langley Vale.
This is based on similar grounds of objection raised by our own consultants in their latest response to the applicant’s alleged “enhanced transport strategy”.
The Surrey County Highways response is here.
This would appear to completely validate the approach we have taken to commission an independent transport consultant to technically challenge the applicant’s spurious assertions in their submitted Transport Assessment.
We can now reasonably expect the application to be recommended for refusal by Epsom Planning Officers.
Paragraph 110 of the National Planning Policy Framework states that: “Significant development should be focused on locations which are or can be made sustainable, through limiting the need to travel and offering a genuine choice of transport modes.”
The report submitted by Fairfax argues that the introduction of a car club and proposed improvements to cycle connectivity and bus connectivity will make the location sustainable. In fact these measures would have little or no impact on the reliance on the private car by occupiers because of the sites remote location and for the other factors explained in the summary you can find here
The Government has confirmed plans to abolish Surrey’s two-tier system of local government and replace it with two single-tier unitary councils — East Surrey and West Surrey.
Under the plan, Epsom & Ewell will join Elmbridge, Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead, and Tandridge to form the new East Surrey Unitary Authority. The remainder of the county — Guildford, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley and Woking — will form West Surrey. Each authority will be responsible for everything from waste and planning to adult social care, highways and schools.
Elections for the new shadow councils are expected in May 2026, with the new authorities assuming full powers from 1 April 2027, once the required Structural Changes Order has been approved by Parliament.
For Woodcote and Langley Vale ward it means that we will be joined by College ward and the southern half of Town ward in forming a new electoral division for the East Surrey Unitary Council. This is the same as the existing Town & Downs electoral division for Surrey County Council represented by Cllr Steve McCormick. It is expected that our new Unitary Council division will need to elect 2 councillors to represent us at the May 2026 elections.
If you are interested in possibly standing as a Residents Association candidate or wish to find out more we’d love to hear from you. You can e-mail us at info@woodcoteepsomresidentssociety.org or phone John Mumford on 07989086516.
The transport consultants report commissioned by the residents of Langley Vale was submitted to Epsom & Ewell Borough Council today. It finds that the applicant’s transport assessment is seriously flawed. It significantly misinterprets and presents an inaccurate position on the transport impact of the proposed development.
The review finds that the proposed development is unsustainable, unsafe and non-compliant with current planning and transport policies. The site’s poor accessibility , flawed access design, underestimated traffic impacts and inadequate mitigation measures all point to a development that fails to meet the standards required for approval for a significant development.
The review recommends that Epsom & Ewell Borough Council object to the application on transport grounds, citing the unsustainable nature of the site, highway safety concerns and lack of effective mitigation.
Watch facebook video by local councillors here.
You have until 9 October to respond. The details can be found here
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council is reviewing local governance in our borough and whether to create new parish councils, to support local democracy. Right now, Epsom and Ewell doesn’t have any parish areas or parish councils.
The review is part of the government’s devolution proposal for Epsom and Ewell Borough Council to be merged into a wider unitary authority. It will look at the potential impact that losing a more local tier of governance may have for local residents in relation to local representation, resource allocation and priority of services
The consultation is seeking views on alternative local governance structures and arrangements and what they may look like.
You have until 9 October to respond. The details can be found here
The Planning Consultants Report, commissioned by the residents of Langley Vale, was submitted to Epsom & Ewell Borough Council yesterday and objects in the strongest terms to the proposed development of 110 houses at Langley Bottom Farm.
The report evidences the key seven reasons why the planning application should be rejected:
Green Belt: The development is inappropriate and harmful in principle, contrary to national policy and Policy CS2. It would erode Green Belt openness and encourage sprawl, with no very special circumstances to justify it.
Landscape (AGLV): It would permanently scar a valued landscape (buffer to AONB), violating Policies CS3, CS5 and DM5. Housing on this prominent Green Belt field would have an enormously harmful impact on the attractive open countryside.
Heritage: It harms the setting of the historic Epsom Downs Racecourse and potentially
archaeological assets, contrary to Policies CS5 and DM8.
Ecology: It threatens local biodiversity (badgers, deer, skylarks and more) with inadequate
mitigation, failing Policies CS3 and DM4 which require biodiversity to be conserved and enhanced.
Sustainability and Transport: The site is isolated with poor public transport and footpath links. The car-dependent nature of the development conflicts with Policies CS1, CS16, DM35, DM36, and would exacerbate traffic and carbon emissions
Infrastructure: Local services (schools, healthcare, etc.) are insufficient. Without guaranteed new provision, the scheme cannot meet Policy CS12. Development should not proceed where it would exacerbate a deficiency in infrastructure.
Drainage: In the absence of a detailed and robust drainage plan, the scheme may increase flood risk, contrary to Policies CS6 and DM19. SuDS and sewer upgrades must be certain to prevent harm.
Housing Objectives: While providing new homes (including affordable) is a benefit, it doesn’t outweigh the above harms.
The proposal bypasses the plan-led approach and fails to demonstrate a sympathetic density or mix per Policies DM11 and CS9.
Impact on the Racehorse industry. The proposal would have a serious adverse impact on the operation of the local racehorse training industry.
Approving this application would set an unwelcome precedent for Green Belt erosion across the Borough.
Please support us by writing to Epsom & Ewell Borough Council objecting to the planning application and/or contributing to our fundraising campaign if you are able. We have raised an amazing £4,000 to pay for the planning consultants report but urgently need to continue fundraising to ensure they can represent us at any hearing or appeal if needed. Thank you.
