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

• For more information visit the Local Plan 2044 webpages.
• Sign up to receive updates on how you can get involved in shaping the plan online. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or call 01737 276178.
• Agenda for Council meeting on 22 July 2026 – see item 12.

A man was arrested at the roadside after a car failed to stop in Crawley.

On Wednesday, 29 July at around 10pm, officers made initial attempts to stop a vehicle after suspicions were raised around its connection to drug dealing in the area.

The vehicle failed to stop, and a short police pursuit took place, ending in Hazelwick Avenue, Crawley.

A 20-year-old man was removed from the vehicle and arrested on suspicion of driving a vehicle dangerously, driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs, driving otherwise than in accordance of a licence, driving without insurance, assaulting an emergency worker, possession with intent to supply a class B drug.
He remains in custody at the time of writing.

During a search of the vehicle, drugs and cash were located and seized.

An investigation remains underway, and anyone with information to support ongoing enquiries is asked to make a report online, or by calling 101 quoting reference 1910 of 29/07.

CCTV cameras have been installed in Tilgate Park car park to help protect the enjoyment of the park and to drive out any antisocial driving. The decision by Crawley Borough Council is supported by Sussex Police.  

Following a review of concerns raised by local residents over a period of time, the police and council agreed that the installation of CCTV cameras was the most appropriate way of deterring unacceptable. antisocial behaviour and support enforcement action taken by either the police or council.

Tilgate Park is a much-loved destination enjoyed by thousands of visitors every year. However, we recognise that there have been a few individuals whose behaviour has had an impact on residents who live nearby. This is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the council.

Therefore, working with Sussex Police we have made the decision to install CCTV into the car park to deter the small amount of people who have caused upset to those that live nearby.

Councillor Chris Mullins

Cabinet member for Leisure and Wellbeing

Crawley Borough Council

We have listened carefully to concerns from residents and have carried out neighbourhood patrols to better understand the issues being experienced in and around Tilgate Park. The installation of CCTV will provide an additional tool to help identify vehicles and individuals involved in antisocial driving and support any necessary enforcement action. We hope the presence of cameras will act as a deterrent and reassure residents that we are committed to addressing the issues they have reported.

Inspector Ollie Buckton

Sussex Police

Both organisations emphasised that the project demonstrates the value of positive partnership working to address local concerns. By combining community feedback, local policing knowledge and council resources, the initiative aims to improve the experience of visitors, reduce nuisance behaviour and support the wellbeing of residents living near the park.

The council and Sussex Police will continue to monitor the situation and work together to ensure Tilgate Park remains a safe, welcoming and enjoyable place for everyone.

Crawley Borough Council has refurbished the Hanbury Road and Woodcroft Road Play Areas in Ifield West ahead of the summer holidays, marking the completion of this latest phase of the council’s wider playground investment programme.

The refurbishments have been fully funded by developers through Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy payments. Each scheme has been designed by contractor Proludic Limited to create a strong first impression and reflect the local character, with bespoke features tailored to the area.

Hanbury Road Play Area has been transformed into a vibrant, wildlife-themed destination inspired by the nearby Millpond, creating a distinctive identity that reflects the character of the local area.

The nature-inspired design features a bespoke swan springer, pond explorer play panel, butterfly sensory panel, wheelchair accessible roundabout, owl-themed multiplay unit and toadstool stepping features, all set within a striking two-tone wet pour safety surface. Blue surfacing represents the water of the Millpond, while green surfacing reflects the surrounding grass banks.

The Woodcroft Road redesigned play area takes inspiration from its location alongside the railway line and Crawley’s longstanding role as a major transport hub, featuring a unique planes, trains and automobiles theme throughout. Bespoke play features celebrate the town’s transport connections, including a Crawley station ticket office play panel and an aeroplane-themed play panel inspired by nearby Gatwick Airport.

The new play equipment includes a combination swing featuring cradle swing and flat swing, themed jeep play unit, looping springer and accessible play panels installed at wheelchair-friendly height.

Councillor Michael Jones, Leader of Crawley Borough Council, Councillor Chris Mullins, Cabinet member for Leisure and Wellbeing, and local ward councillors Councillor Grainne Conway (Ifield) and Councillor Julian Charatan (Ifield) visited the Hanbury Road and Woodcroft Road play areas on Friday to mark the reopening.

We are delighted to have completed this latest phase of our playground improvement programme just in time for the summer holidays, providing local children and families with free, accessible opportunities for outdoor play close to home. This investment demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality play facilities and encouraging active, healthy lifestyles within local communities.

With the six play areas refurbished in this latest phase, this brings the total number of upgraded sites across the borough to 44 since 2015. These improvements have been funded through Section 106 contributions, ensuring investment from new developments continues to benefit local communities.

Councillor Chris Mullins

Cabinet member for Leisure and Wellbeing

Crawley Borough Council

We are proud to have completed all six playground improvement projects delivered as part of Crawley Borough Council’s wider unsupervised play investment programme. It has been a pleasure working in partnership with the council to transform community play spaces across the borough, creating more inclusive, engaging and accessible places for children and families.

The final two schemes at Hanbury Road and Woodcroft Road demonstrate how even smaller neighbourhood play areas can have a significant impact on local communities. From the Millpond-inspired wildlife theme at Hanbury Road to the transport-themed design celebrating Crawley’s rail and aviation links at Woodcroft Road, both projects have created distinctive spaces that reflect their local surroundings while maximising play value and accessibility.

We hope all six refurbished play areas will be enjoyed by local communities for many years to come and leave a lasting legacy for future generations of Crawley residents.

Tim Bird

Senior Area Manager (South East)

Proludic Limited

Reigate and Banstead Council is inviting residents, landlords, property owners and others to comment on proposals to introduce planning controls for the conversion of homes into Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

An HMO is a property rented by at least three people from more than one household who share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom, often known as house shares or bedsits.

The proposed Article 4 direction would remove permitted development rights that allow homes to be converted into a small HMOs – for three to six residents – without the need for a full planning application.

If the direction is confirmed, a full planning application would be required for small HMO conversions so that the Council can fully consider each proposal’s location, design, accommodation standards and potential impact on neighbours and communities. Larger HMOs, for seven or more residents, already need planning permission.

The consultation runs for eight weeks from 30 July to 24 September 2026.

Why the Council is making the Article 4 direction?

Cllr Kate Fairhurst, Executive Member for Place, Planning and Regulatory Services, said:

“HMOs can provide an important source of lower-cost housing for people who need it, and these proposals are not about preventing them.

“However, we have seen an increase in the number of HMOs in the borough and complaints about them. So, we want to put planning checks in place to help us make sure that future HMOs are in appropriate locations, are well designed, and do not have a negative impact on local communities. Many of our neighbouring councils have already taken similar steps to manage pressures in their local areas.

“We are keen to hear from residents, landlords, property owners and anyone with an interest in housing in the borough about our proposals before any decision is made, so do tell us your views so we can take them into consideration.”

How to give your views.

For more information about the proposals, visit the Article 4 direction for Houses in Multiple Occupation page. Those without internet access can view the proposals at the Town Hall, Reigate between the hours of 9am and 4pm on weekdays.

The deadline for responses to the consultation is Thursday 24 September 2026.

You can give your views by emailing Planning Policy or writing to: Planning Policy, Town Hall, Castlefield Road, Reigate, Surrey RH2 0SH.

To request Article 4 direction information in an alternative format, please email Planning Policy, call the team on 01737 276 178, or if you have a hearing impairment you can also send an SMS text to 07834 626 468.

What happens next?

After the consultation closes, the Council will review the representations received before a decision is made to confirm the direction. If confirmed, the direction would come into force on 30 July 2027.

More information.

• For more information about the proposals, visit the Article 4 direction for Houses in Multiple Occupation page
• For more information on the definition of an HMO, see our Environmental Health webpages or Shelter’s website.
• The proposal to make the direction was presented to the Planning Committee on 23 July 2026 – see item 8.