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Blueprint for Reigate and Banstead Borough is Set to Begin

Work is set to begin on developing a new Local Plan for Reigate & Banstead, a blueprint that will guide how the borough grows and thrives to 2044.

The Local Plan will set out where new homes, businesses, shops, facilities and environmental improvements will be located and guide what that development looks like, while safeguarding greenspaces, heritage assets and the character of the borough’s towns and villages. It also helps to ensure that facilities and services such as schools, health services and transport links are put in place to support new development.

At a meeting of the Full Council on Wednesday 22 July, Reigate & Banstead Borough Councillors agreed that a ‘notice of intention to commence’ could be published, enabling work on the new Local Plan to officially begin. They also approved a timetable for developing the plan to give residents, businesses and other stakeholders a clear understanding of when each key stage is expected to take place, including consultation opportunities. This decision marks the first official step required under the Government’s planning system reforms.

Ensuring thriving communities for future generations

Cllr Kate Fairhurst, Executive Member for Place, Planning and Regulatory Services, said: “Reigate & Banstead is already great place to live, work and visit and we need to ensure the borough continues to grow and thrive for future generations.

“The Local Plan is a policy that directly affects every resident and business, from creating affordable homes, a sustainable local economy and jobs, to providing the everyday services we all rely on.

“At a time of significantly increased housing need, Green Belt change, climate and infrastructure pressures, and local government reorganisation it’s important that we have a robust, up-to-date plan that steers development to the most suitable places with the roads, schools, health services and other facilities communities need. The plan will also help attract investment, set ambitious environmental sustainability and biodiversity requirements and respond to changes in legislation, demographics and people’s habits.

“While the Council awaited confirmation from the Government about changes to the way local plans must now be prepared as part of its reforms to the planning system, we have been carrying out a range of preparatory work to develop our evidence base.

“I’m pleased that with the decision made by Council we can now move forward in delivering a new Local Plan for Reigate & Banstead. What we decide through the Local Plan process now will shape how Reigate & Banstead evolves for years to come – so it’s important to give your views when the time comes.”

Cllr Fairhurst added: “Although responsibility for plan making will move to the new East Surrey Council on 1 April 2027, the Government is encouraging legacy councils to progress with their own local plans now to ensure local communities continue to have an up-to-date planning framework in place. This is the best way to maintain control over speculative development and facilitate the provision of the facilities and services our communities need.”

Find out more and get involved

For more information about the new Local Plan, including the official notice to commence and project timetable, visit our Local Plan 2044 webpages. A copy of the notice to commence and timetable can also be viewed at the Town Hall, Reigate as well as at the borough’s libraries in Banstead, Horley, Merstham, Redhill, Reigate and at Tattenham Corner.

The next step will be to carry out a ‘scoping consultation’, the first in a series of statutory consultations held during the plan’s development. The six-week consultation is scheduled to start in September. It will seek views from residents, businesses, infrastructure providers and other organisations to help shape the direction of the plan. We will share more information about the consultation and how you can have your say nearer the time.

The new Local Plan is expected to be completed and formally adopted by mid-2029. Once adopted, it will replace the Core Strategy, adopted in 2014, and the Development Management Plan, adopted in 2019, which form the Council’s current Local Plan.

More information