Epsom Draft Local Plan – public consultation

Posted on February 18, 2023 by admin

Introduction

Over the past few years, national planning policy and guidance has changed significantly. As a result, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s existing Local Plan is now out of date, which can mean that the Council is unable to adequately defend planning applications that they refuse if they are taken to appeal. The Council is in the process of producing a new one in line with current national policy and guidance. This new draft Local Plan, which will replace our existing one, must be submitted to Government scrutiny and found ‘sound’, i.e., fulfilling National requirements, to be adopted.

Consultation

The Council is currently consulting on their first draft of the Local Plan – providing everyone with an opportunity to give feedback.  The consultation closes on 19th March. Your response to the Local Plan questionnaire together with any comments will help the Council refine the strategy, site allocations and policies.

All consultation feedback will be reviewed and considered in the next version of the draft local plan which will again come back to public consultation around March 2024 for a further six-week public consultation phase. This version of the plan will be more detailed and include additional information on items such as infrastructure.

The aim of the new Local Plan is to help meet the borough’s future needs, making sure development is planned in a coordinated way while respecting our area’s character, environment and heritage. It is a long-term plan covering the next 15 years up to 2040 and is intended to guide and shape what can be built and where, to make sure we have the right new homes, workplaces, green spaces, transport and facilities for current and future generations. The plan can also help us address important issues, like climate change and improving biodiversity, by encouraging sustainable development.

The strategy, policies and land allocations contained within the new Local Plan will be important for determining future planning applications and for guiding investment.

WERS would encourage you to look at the draft Local Plan itself, which can be found on the Council’s website at Draft Local Plan (Regulation 18) 2022-20–0 – Epsom and Ewell Borough Council Consultations (inconsult.uk)

The documents can also be seen at the Town Hall and the borough’s libraries.

There will also be an exhibition and Council Officers available to speak to you in person at the following places:

  •  Monday 13 February 14:30 – 19:30 Bourne Hall, Azalea Room 
  • Thursday 16 February 12:00 – 17:00, Ashley Centre, Central Square
  • Tuesday 21 February 14:30 – 19:30, Bourne Hall, Azalea room   
  • Wednesday 22 February 10:30 – 15:30,   Community & Wellbeing Centre, Sefton Road
  • Saturday 25 February 11:00 – 16:00, Ashley Centre, Central Square
  • Tuesday 28 February 10:00 – 15:30, Community & Wellbeing Centre, Sefton Road

A quick guide to the main proposals:

  • A minimum of 5400 new homes by 2040, i.e. 300 dwellings per annum (which represents 52% of the housing need according to the Government’s ‘standard methodology’ calculations)
  • Development will first be directed to the most sustainable locations, making the best use of previously developed land in the urban area. In sequential order these locations are:  1) Epsom Town Centre; 2) Other centres and train stations within the urban area; 3) Principal Movement corridors within the urban area; 4) The wider urban area.
  • Providing a significant number of affordable homes, both helping our young people to afford homes and supporting those at risk of homelessness.
  • 3.6% of the borough’s total Green Belt released to help meet the housing needs of local people.
  • Safeguarding strategic employment sites including Kiln Lane and Longmead industrial estates and encouraging new employment floorspace within Epsom town centre.
  • Town centre focussed retail and leisure.
  • Protection of a Racehorse Training Zone.
  • Ensuring development is supported by the necessary physical, social and green infrastructure to meet people’s current and future needs.
  • Supporting measures that prioritise active and sustainable travel modes. 

W(E)RS assessment and views

A – comments from a Woodcote and Langley Vale perspective

W(E)RS generally supports the proposed growth strategy for the borough, which aims to provide sufficient new homes (including affordable housing) to meet our future local needs whilst respecting the environmental and policy constraints in our Borough which includes 42% of land designated as Green Belt together with other important designations such as Local Nature Reserves, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Sites of Nature Conservation Importance.

W(E)RS also considers that there is much to commend in the Draft Local Plan with regard to  supporting businesses, creating jobs, infrastructure improvements, protecting the historic environment, climate change mitigation and adaptation. The proposed designation of a Racehorse Training Zone covering much of the unbuilt parts of Woodcote and Langley Vale ward together with an associated Equestrian and Horse Racing facilities policy is very much welcomed.

It is unfortunate that, to even facilitate 52% of our housing needs, it is proposed that five Green Belt sites are removed from the Green Belt’ and allocated for housing.  These areas are in the north of the Borough and close to transport networks.  W(E)RS has considered these areas and concluded that, if we have to lose any Green Belt land, these are the most appropriate and are deliverable for housing.  If there is no loss of Green Belt land there will be additional pressure to build at even increased densities and heights within the existing urban area to make up for the housing shortfall and the delivery of much-needed affordable housing will be much reduced.

B – concerns

W(E)RS has, however, identified the following matters contained in the Draft Local Plan and its associated evidence base documents that raise potentially significant issues in Woodcote & Langley Vale ward. You may wish to include these in your response to the consultation. 

With regard to Green Belt, there is a matter of great concern to WERS.  The covering report to the Council’s Licencing and Planning Policy Committee on the Draft Local Plan at para 2.15 makes clear that ‘During the Local Plan consultation, we will be undertaking a call for sites exercise to identify whether there are any additional potential development sites within the borough that could be suitable and available for development. Therefore, future iterations of the Local Plan may contain sites that do not currently feature in the Local Plan.’ Most of these potentially developable other sites have already been identified in the EEBC Land Availability Assessment 2022 (LAA) largely based on sites promoted by landowners and developers through the earlier call for sites process. This includes the 5.24 hectare field between Langley Bottom Farm and Langley Vale village which is being promoted by the owners Quinton Estates and which is identified in the LAA as potentially delivering 100 dwellings.   

C – The fine details

It is important to emphasise that the inclusion of sites in the LAA does not necessarily mean that these sites will be allocated for future development in the Local Plan. They would be subject to further consideration through the Local Plan site selection process and Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) if necessary (i.e. it can be demonstrated that all reasonable options have been explored to meet future development needs). Only then, could it be concluded by the Council that exceptional circumstances exist to justify changes to the Green Belt Boundary.

What is alarming is that the Council’s Green Belt Study (which is yet to be completed) defines one of its purposes as ‘to identify defensible Green Belt boundaries for those sites identified as available through the Land Availability Assessment, with a view to potential release for development purposes in the longer term should this be necessary within the new Epsom and Ewell Local Plan 2022-2040.’ The Council’s Sustainability Appraisal into the Local Plan examines the sites included in the Land Availability Assessment and places the Langley Bottom Farm field site as fourth in a provisional list of further sites (over and above those already proposed for Green Belt release in the Draft Local Plan). The Sustainability Appraisal states that ‘The LAA does not differentiate between the 23 available Green Belt site options, in terms of their suitability for release for development. However, on the basis of the analysis set out below, it is possible to identify a tentative sequential order of preference (N.B. this is a key step and, as such, views on this order of preference are sought through the current consultation, and further work will be undertaken to inform plan finalisation.’ WERS would therefore emphasise that it is particularly important to respond to this consultation request.

The Sustainability Appraisal refers to the Langley Bottom Farm field site as: ‘The site in question comprises a single field to the south of the village, and is the only feasible location for a significant extension to the village, with a view to delivering new community infrastructure and supporting wider place-making. Also, the possibility of a new defensible Green Belt boundary can be envisaged, given woodland to the east and Ebbisham Lane to the south, which marks the northern extent of the Centenary Wood, and where there is a cluster of farm buildings with planning permission for 20 home redevelopment (ref. 20/00475/FUL).’

The Sustainability Appraisal does state that the site is clearly constrained in landscape terms, as it comprises the northern extent of the Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) designation within the borough and that this might eventually be included in an extension of the Surrey Hill AONB which is currently under review. Aside from environmental constraints, the Sustainability Appraisal concludes that Langley Vale is very poorly connected in transport terms, in comparison to other locations under consideration that are closer to Epsom town centre and/or a rail station.

It is for the above environmental and sustainability reasons and the fact that there is already a very clear defensible Green Belt boundary around Langley Vale village that WERS will be responding to the Draft Local Plan consultation and its associated Sustainability Appraisal document. WERS will be making the strongest objection to any potential change to the Green Belt around Langley Vale on the basis that it plays a vital part in ensuring the Green Belt continues to fulfil its role, especially in one of its stated key purposes, namely to ‘Assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment.’ Consequently, the Langley Bottom Farm field site should not be included in any sequential list of potential Green Belt site releases.   

WERS would urge all residents who value the role and amenity value of the Green Belt to make their views known based on the above matters.   If you have any further questions, please send these to John Mumford, planning advisor on the WERS Committee, at mumford806@btinternet.com

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WERS response to the draft local plan

Posted on March 22, 2023 by admin

Woodcote (Epsom) Residents’ Society (W(E)RS) response to the Epsom and Ewell Consultation Draft Local Plan 2022-2040

W(E)RS has responded to the Questionnaire and but also wishes to submit this covering statement.

W(E)RS considers that there was much in the Draft Local Plan to support. The aim of providing sufficient new homes (including affordable housing) to meet our future local needs whilst respecting the environmental and policy constraints in our Borough is laudable but as so often is the case with these things – the devil is in the detail, especially when it comes to suggested Green Belt release and more intensive urban redevelopment.  Other proposals in the Draft relating to supporting businesses, creating jobs, infrastructure improvements, protecting the historic environment, climate change mitigation and adaptation are less controversial and can be broadly supported. Similarly, the proposed designation of a Racehorse Training Zone covering much of the unbuilt parts of Woodcote and Langley Vale ward together with an associated Equestrian and Horse Racing facilities policy is very much welcomed.

Housing Numbers

W(E)RS has expressed reservations about the scale of residential development being sought. We fully acknowledge that there is a serious housing shortage in the Borough, as elsewhere, and indeed a particular problem with affordability given the disconnect between house prices and household incomes and the woeful delivery in recent years of ‘affordable’ housing almost entirely down to unhelpful Government policy and guidance on this matter. However, the housing need figure generated by the Government’s standard method calculation of 576 dwellings per annum (or 10,368 dwellings over the Local Plan period) is questioned as it is based on out-of-date 2014 base Household Projections. More recent household projections indicate that in all reality the borough’s population will be much  lower than claimed which translates through into around 7,000 fewer households requiring dwellings than the 2014 base projections would suggest.  A consequence of this is that there should be less pressure to build on areas of Green Belt and to such high densities within the existing urban area.

Green Belt

This is a matter of great concern to W(E)RS.  The covering report to the Council’s Licencing and Planning Policy Committee on the Draft Local Plan stated  that ‘During the Local Plan consultation, we will be undertaking a call for sites exercise to identify whether there are any additional potential development sites within the borough that could be suitable and available for development. Therefore, future iterations of the Local Plan may contain sites that do not currently feature in the Local Plan.’ Most of these potentially developable other sites have already been identified in the EEBC Land Availability Assessment (LAA) 2022 largely based on sites promoted by landowners and developers through the earlier call for sites process. This includes the 5.24 hectare field between Langley Bottom Farm and Langley Vale village which is being promoted by the owners Quinton Estates and which is identified in the LAA as potentially delivering 100 dwellings.   

The Council’s Sustainability Appraisal into the Local Plan examines the sites included in the LAA Assessment and places the Langley Bottom Farm field site as fourth in a provisional list of further sites (over and above those already proposed for Green Belt release in the Draft Local Plan).

W(E)RS objects  to any potential change to the Green Belt around Langley Vale on the basis that it plays a vital part in ensuring the Green Belt continues to fulfil its role, especially in one of its stated key purposes, namely to ‘Assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment.’ Consequently, the Langley Bottom Farm field site should not be included in any sequential list of potential Green Belt site releases.   

Residential Amenity and Character Concerns

W(E)RS objects to the proposed dramatic decrease in the minimum requirements for private garden space from the existing 70 sq m for 3 bedroom dwellings to 20 sq m under proposed Policy DM1.   With increased emphasis on homeworking and the probability of future Covid style epidemics we believe there needs to be sufficient outdoor space to meet the needs of its occupiers designed into new residential environments. Such low minimum amenity standards will merely serve to encourage back-land development and sub-division of plots in a way which would be often harmful to the character and appearance of established residential areas.

For the same reason W(E)RS also objects to the revised density guidance in the Draft Local Plan which proposes that the existing maximum density policy of 40 dwellings per hectare (dph) designed to maintain and enhance the visual character of the Borough be replaced by minimum densities in the urban areas of 40 dph or 60 dph near to movement corridors such as Dorking Road.

Local Open Space

There will inevitably be more development pressures, especially for housing within the existing urban areas. W(E)RS considers it important that this Draft Local Plan safeguards those green areas of particular importance to local communities which may otherwise be under pressure for housing. Government guidance advocates the designation of Local Green Spaces through the local plan process in circumstances where such areas ‘hold a particular local significance, for example because of its beauty, historic significance, recreational value, tranquillity or richness of its wildlife.’  W(E)RS accordingly proposes that a Local Green Space policy is introduced and designation of appropriate sites on the Proposals Map following local consultation.

Built Environment and Design

W(E)RS wishes to make representations about the inadequacy of the draft Plan’s policy guidance on what high quality design will comprise. Whilst it is acknowledged that detailed design guidance can often be provided in design briefs and design codes for particular redevelopment W(E)RS requests that there should at the very least be a height guidance policy within the Local Plan. This aspect of development is often the most controversial as we have recently experienced with the Guild Living and Multi-storey Car Park schemes at Epsom Hospital in addition to high rise schemes being advocated in Epsom town centre and Stoneleigh. The effective setting aside of the previous DM13 Building Heights policy was, in the view of W(E)RS a key factor in unacceptably high-rise developments being proposed over recent years. This must be discouraged in the new Local Plan through a replacement buildings height policy which would give some degree of clarity to developers and landowners as required by Paragraph 127 of the NPPF.

WERS Response to Draft Local Plan linked below.

WERS-Response-Draft-Local-plan-questionnaireDownload
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Liz Frost, Councillor update – February 2023

Posted on February 24, 2023 by admin

Local Plan
The Borough Council has now started its consultation on the draft local plan. It began on 1st
February and is due to finish at midnight on 19th March. This has been a long while in the making, National Planning guidance changes over the past few years have resulted in changed requirements and processes – and you are probably aware that the Government is yet again consulting on possible changes to the National Planning guidance. Although there are many suggestions and rumours about the outcome, these are purely speculative at this stage. The consultation for National Planning guidance finishes in March with the updates changes to be determined by government and shared hopefully soon after.

Our current local plan and associated documents are now old and in some cases out of date.
Government requires all planning authorities to have an up to date local plan based on legislation and guidance current at the time it is produced. A local plan must be evidence-based and therefore takes an enormous amount of work and resources over several years to produce. Many of you may have strong views on the draft proposals, thank you to all those who have told me your concerns. You now have the opportunity to review the published draft and let the Council know your views and influence the final plan.
As stated, the 6-week consultation lasts until 19th March. All responses must be considered and a comprehensive report will be written for the next stage, which is regulation 19, in early 2024. At this stage there will be a further public consultation. To stress – the current plan that the Council is consulting on is a draft and there will be amendments following the consultation and any changes or updates to planning guidance, policies or law. Please do take this opportunity to take part.

More details at https://epsom-ewell.gov.uk/council/consultations

Public Space Protection Order (PSPO)
It is disturbing that we have seen an increase in anti-social behaviour (ASB) in recent times. We now have a PSPO in place for public spaces in the borough. The PSPO covers the use of Psychoactive substances including Nitrous Oxide and will last for two years. It gives the police greater powers to act. If you see evidence of ASB, e.g. discarded Nitrous Oxide canisters, please do notify the police. They need evidence of what is happening and where so that they know the scale of the problem and where to target their resources.

Footpath between Castle Road and Willows Path
Thank you to those of you who have highlighted this footpath closure. Surrey County Council have now issued a notice stating –Surrey County Council in exercise of its powers under Section 14(2) of The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and of all other enabling powers hereby gives notice that no person shall enter or proceed on foot or by any other means in that length of the public footpath from Castle Road to Willows Path, Epsom T6093 (Rights of Way route 67) that is carried by the “Castle Road Footbridge”. This Notice is required by Centurion on grounds of safety to enable remedial works to the “Castle Road Footbridge”
and/or maintenance works. The Notice will come into effect on 09 February 2023 for a period of 21 days, works are anticipated to be completed between the hours of 8am and 5pm within the 21 days of this period. The alternative route that they suggest is along Wells Road.


Chief Executive
Following the resignation of Kathryn Beldon last summer, the Council has undertaken a competitive recruitment process. The position of Chief Executive is made by Full Council, and at the Council meeting on 14th February, it will be recommended that Jackie King is appointed. Jackie, currently the Director of Corporate Resources, has been acting as interim Chief Executive, and so already has a thorough knowledge of the issues and challenges faced by the Borough.

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Join our committee

Posted on February 18, 2023 by admin

Please use this form to express an interest in joining the Woodcote (Epsom) Residents Association Committee

To apply you must be a resident of the Woodcote and Langley Vale Ward

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    Notice of Annual General Meeting (AGM) 22 February 2023 from 7:30 pm

    Posted on February 6, 2023 by admin

    Notice of Annual General Meeting (AGM) for Woodcote (Epsom) Resident’s Society (WERS)

    Date: Wednesday 22 February 2023 from 7:30 pm

    Location: Lower Lounge Methodist Church, 11-13 Ashley Road, Epsom KT18 5AQ

    If you are unable to attend in person you can view the proceedings and pose questions on Zoom*

    Chairs notice:

    On behalf of the WERS Committee, I would like to invite Woodcote residents to attend our Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 22nd February 2023 at 7.30 pm to be held in the Lower Lounge at Epsom Methodist Church. The committee is keen to keep Epsom and Ewell an independent Borough in these times of political disarray. At least at the local level we know our own elected representatives will be guided by residents’ needs and not be distracted by national party politics. Indeed, the independent movement within local politics is growing because of their grass root policies. An example of such a policy is the SCHOOL STREETS movement led by the Mums for Lungs campaign. We have invited one of their leading campaigners to speak at our AGM. Let’s move towards protecting the lungs of children aged under 11 years of age from pollution on their own school streets. The evidence is clear, especially in the post Covid-19 era.

    The cost-of-living crisis and the effects of raging inflation highlight another difference between national politics and an independent borough. Spend or save? The latter may not be popular, our councillors, however, will continue to be prudent with that diminishing proportion of council tax the government allows them to control.

    The Protect Duty is a grassroots phenomenon. Figen Murray’s campaign has inspired many. Single-handed, she will transform this proposed duty into Martyn’s Law in memory of her son who died in the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017. This legislation will enhance the safety of all in publicly accessible locations. We all will have a part to play in this duty not least our local authority.

    Help keep local politics independent please attend our AGM. You will be most welcome.

    Fred Mowbray

    Chair

    AGENDA

    1. Apologies for absence
    2. Presentation by Mums For Lungs (mumsforlungs.org)
    3. Approval of Minutes of the AGM held on 1 March 2022**
    4. Approval and adoption of the accounts for the year ending 31st December 2022 ***

    5. Chair’s update
    6. Election of the committee and Hon Auditor for 2023-24 ****
    7. Reports from your Residents’ Association Borough Councillors

    A. Liz Frost B. Bernice Froud C. Steven McCormick (Borough and County update)

    8. Adopt candidates for Borough Election 4th May 2023

    * Email info@woodcoteespomresidentssociety.org for the Zoom meeting details.
    ** The minutes are available on our website; paper copies will be available at the meeting
    *** Copies of the accounts will be available at the meeting and on the website after the meeting. **** If you would like to receive more information about getting involved with WERS please contact

    any committee member – details are on the website www.woodcoteepsomresidentssociety.org

    Draft Local Plan – update:

    Epsom & Ewell Borough Council will be progressing with its new Local Plan which sets the vision and framework for the development of the borough for the next 15 or so years.
    It is a master plan describing what Epsom & Ewell could and should look like in 2040. It is one of the next steps following the borough’s consultation and publication of ‘Future 40’, a vision for the future based on residents’ input. The public consultation on the draft local plan starts on 1st February.

    Have you ever considered becoming a Borough Councillor?

    There are a few wards across the Epsom & Ewell borough which may have vacancies for councillor candidates. If you are interested to learn more then please get in touch with one of the committee members.
    Councillors are elected to the Borough Council to represent their local community, so they must either live or work in the Borough. Becoming a Councillor is both a rewarding and privileged form of public service. You will be able to make a difference in the quality of other people’s daily lives and prospects.
    If you are in any doubt about whether you are eligible to stand as a councillor, you should contact the borough council for advice.

    Become a councillor –

    https://www.gov.uk/government/get-involved/take-part/become-a-councillor

    WERS Subscriptions can be paid to:
    A/C 18192577 – Sort Code: 23-05-80 with postcode/ house no. or via the Paypal link on our website.

    Minutes from 2022 AGM

    2022-AGM-MinutesDownload
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    SWR December strike action service levels

    Posted on December 9, 2022 by admin


    Please find shared below details of the service levels SWR will be able to run during the upcoming industrial action affecting their network across four days next week (13th, 14th, 16th and 17th December).

    This will take the form of two 48-hour strikes, rather than the single day strikes seen so far this year.

    As with other strike dates this year our clear message to customers is to only travel by rail if absolutely necessary on these dates, to make alternative travel arrangements if possible, and if they must travel to expect severe disruption. We expect there to be a knock-on impact to the start-up of our services on the 15th and 18th December.

    In addition, the RMT has announced that its members at SWR and other Train Operating Companies have been instructed not to book on for any overtime from Sunday 18 December to Monday 2 January. Strike action has also been called for 3rd, 4th, 6th and 7th January 2023 (with the same late start-up impact on services on the 5th and 8th January).

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    WERS supporting residents with Green Gables

    Posted on November 28, 2022 by admin

    Woodcote (Epsom) Resident’s Society (WERS) supporting your concerns

    A controversial planning application for the redevelopment of Green Gables in Ashley Road for a large linked block comprising 22 student flats was refused by the Council’s Planning  Committee on 3rd November 2022.

    This refusal was very much down to the support and advice given by W(E)RS to local residents who would have been adversely affected by the development.

    The application was recommended for planning permission by Council Officers. 

    Cllr Liz Frost’s spoke against the application as Ward Councillor on behalf of objectors to the Committee meeting members. 

    Cllr Steven McCormick, following several questions to officers during the meeting, moved a motion of refusal on the grounds of visual impact; loss of outlook; loss of privacy and lack of clear evidence demonstrating a need for the development, which was ultimately seconded and supported by a majority of members and a refusal for planning permission was decided. 

    A resident from Ladbroke Road who would have been one of the residents most harmed by the proposal stated in a message to John Mumford, W(E)RS Committee member who advised on how best to set out his planning objections, that: ‘your guidance on addressing the second-round objections was most supportive. I am also aware that you have assisted Liz Frost to whom I am also most grateful for her unstinting support from day one. A third person, Steven McCormick, was so well prepared(!) and most robust in ensuring his constructive questioning was addressed at the meeting.’   

    W(E)RS and our ward Councillors will always listen carefully to residents’ concerns.  Where appropriate, we will represent views at the Council’s Planning Committee especially if we feel that the harm from a proposal outweighs the supposed benefits.  We also work hard to secure amendments to schemes so that they overcome residential amenity problems and can ultimately be recommended for planning permission.   

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    November – Councillor update – Liz Frost

    Posted on November 28, 2022 by admin

    There is a lot happening locally, and here are a few updates.

    Planning

    • The Appeal against the Planning Committee’s refusal of the Epsom & St Helier University Hospitals NHS’s application for a 6-storey multi-storey car park beside the hospital was heard on 2nd November.  As your Ward Councillor, I spoke against the proposal for this vast car park.  Thank you to all those of you who contacted us to express your views on this, responded to the consultations and spoke at the meeting.  We await the National Inspector’s ruling, he expected to give this in early December.
    • On 3rd November, the Planning Committee resumed their discussions (started on 1st September) on the application to demolish Green Gables, a house in AshleyRoad, and build two linked 2 storey buildings to accommodate 22 students.  Although student accommodation is needed, this proposal was not associated with, and would not have been managed by, any local education establishment;  would have been built within a narrow path width of the rear garden fence of a neighbour; and would have had a wide, full height glass atrium linking the buildings with no clarity as to how light spillage and overlooking into the surrounding houses and gardens would be managed.  I was able to speak at both of the planning committee meetings to express the concerns raised by many of you.  The application was refused.

    The Local plan

    Local Authorities are required to have an up-to-date Local Plan, which sits beside the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to inform decisions about whether or not to approve planning applications.  The Local Plan must comply with National Planning guidance and, for instance, show how the authority will provide the quantity of housing required by central Government, in order for the Government to find it ‘sound’ and for it to be adopted.  Without an up-to-date Local Plan, the NPPF takes precedence over older Local Plans, making it difficult for the Local Authority to control the volume, style or type of properties given planning permission.  As Councillors, we are attending many briefing meeting and looking at options for our future Local Plan so that we have something that Government will find ‘sound’.  There have already been some public consultations on aspects of this work – thank you to all those who responded.  I’ll let you know when further consultations are published.

    Epsom BID

    A Business Improvement District (BID) brings together businesses within a defined locality.  Each business pays a contribution based on their business rateable value, and they work together on projects for improvements to the area, which will enhance the area so attract people here to use the facilities and services.  Epsom’s BID was formed in 2017, and their business plan is for a 5-year term. Benefits we have seen have included the Town’s Christmas lights; the new Beacon on the Downs; and the Town Centre’s festivals.  Recently the businesses voted to continue with the BID for the next 5 years.

    Crime

    We are hearing from residents about crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the borough – but when we ask the police why they aren’t focussing on the ‘hot spots’ reported to us, they are often not aware that there is a problem there.

    You often tell us that you don’t report things to the police because you don’t think that they take any notice; because the ASB has occurred and the people responsible have gone; or you don’t think of it as something to be reported.  We also have some wonderfully community minded people who help to keep the borough neat and tidy and ‘litter pick’ – thank you, it does make a difference.  However if, during your litter-picking, you find evidence of drug use, please would you photograph the debris left behind before you kindly remove it, and report it to the police?

    The police do log the incidents reported to them – the what, when and where.  They need this information to plan and focus their work to protect us and our neighbourhood.

    Cost of Living Support

    Times are difficult for many people at the moment, and both Epsom & Ewell and Surrey County Councils are providing help and advice.  Please see https://epsom-ewell.gov.uk/residents/cost-living-support for information about all sorts of resources, such as eligibility for help with paying Council Tax.  There are also links to many organisations such as the Food Bank, Citzens Advice, Age Concern – and there is information about in initiatives such as Warm Spaces.

    Partnership working

    For many years, Surrey County Council has contracted the Borough to undertake certain functions that come under Surrey’s responsibility, e.g., cutting grass verges; enforcing on-street parking regulations.  Surrey is taking back some of these functions.

    More information

    There is more information about the Borough Council at www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk and information from the Residents’ Society at www.woodcoteepsomresidentssociety.org

    I have your details because you are a resident who has contacted me in the past.  If you would prefer not to receive information and updates from me in the future, please let me know and I will remove you from my contact list.

    Cllr Liz Frost – RA Councillor

    Woodcote Ward, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council

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    Tree giveaway on Saturday 19th November

    Posted on November 16, 2022 by admin

    This Saturday there is a Tree Giveaway at Epsom Library between 10 am and 12 pm.

    While you’re there why not have a look around the Tree Exhibition that is in Epsom Library until February 2023.

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    Traffic light refurbishment works on Avenue Road near Leighton Way, Epsom.

    Posted on November 15, 2022 by admin

    This is to advise of upcoming traffic light refurbishment works on Avenue Road near Leighton Way, Epsom.

    Signs are due to be put up over the next few of days to advise residents and businesses of these works.

    Avenue Road near Leighton Way, Epsom

    Temporary traffic lights

    From 24 November

    For 1 week

    Sometimes our plans have to change, often due to bad weather or problems on other works in the same programme which can have a knock on effect. If anything changes with the details of these works, we will let you know.

    You and your residents can also find up to date details and receive updates of the works on https://one.network/

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