Letter: The Horsleys Are at Breaking Point in Terms of Sustainability

Published on: 2 Jun, 2026
Updated on: 2 Jun, 2026

Plans for 65 new homes in Horsley GBC

From: Catherine Young

R4GV borough councillor for Clandon and Horsley

In response to: Plans To Build a Further 65 Homes in West Horsley Have Been Deferred

This is the last 2019 Local Plan “allocated’”site for West Horsley. We’ve already had 335 new homes delivered from three sites within the Horsleys, together with over 60 more delivered through windfall and back garden development.

Forty more are in the planning pipeline. Add this next lot of 65 and we are heading within the year to a total of 500 new homes across West & East Horsley.

I am glad this application has been deferred as people need to start to realise that we are at breaking point in terms of sustainability. Despite promised S106 money to “mitigate” the effects of all of this development we have only seen a minimal amount delivered by way of a couple of new consulting rooms at the East Horsley Medical Practice (and these from converting staff areas as there is nowhere else to expand to accommodate growing residents numbers).

True, we have had a few new bus stops, but some two years on we are still waiting for SCC passenger transport to connect up the Real Time Displays so we can actually work out when the very infrequent buses will actually arrive!

We have waited five years for a speed limit reduction on the Ockham Road North,and I do not believe we will ever see any of the SCC Education money invested in this area. I am perhaps a little sceptical, but until I actually see some ‘public benefits’ delivered as promised from all this development I will remain so.

With the deferral of this last site (for the moment) I hope that my refused request for a site visit can now go ahead so that members of GBC’s Planning Committee can see for themselves the disastrous impact this latest scheme will have on our village.

It is in the remotest area, bordering green belt, and the scheme is totally out of character with the surrounding area in terms of density and materials. The road is fast, it has been deemed as unsafe for cyclists by SCC as a possibly cycleway for the Wisley development, with frequent instances of flooding and sewage spills being reported to Thames Water.

Part of the site is in Flood Zone 3. It is therefore not suitable for housing but, we’ve been told, is nonetheless, acceptable for children’s’ play area and, nearby, a great big pond. That doesn’t sit well at all given the recent reports of drownings on the news in cold water areas.

Let’s hope GBC’s Planning Committee members are going to see this particular development in the same way we local residents see it – the wrong development in the wrong place.