Banstead could get its own council under proposals being mooted by community leaders tired of it being 'the forgotten end of the borough'.

A council rooted in Banstead Village electoral ward would get a say over planning and could run youth projects and improve the environment through such things as litter picking and introducing cycle paths.

Banstead Village Residents' Association chairman Roger Collins said: "We think that it’s a good idea. We are going forward on the assumption that it might be made to fly."

But Mr Collins stressed that a new council can only be created if the people of Banstead show support and get behind the idea.

He said: "To justify the third tier of government you have to show the residents will actually get a benefit."

A petition signed by at least 10 percent of electors must be given to the borough council to trigger a review through which a village council can be created.

Mr Collins said: "It would allow the local area to have its say about what planning developments should take place on a rather more formal basis than at the moment."

He said volunteers could be brought in to help run low level services which the borough council is finding increasing difficult to manage due to financial constraints.

He said: "If these were transferred to a village council they might be able to do it easier because they are operating on a small scale."

Colin Sutherland, who belongs to Park Road Residents Association, said there was a lot of interest but still a lot of talking to do and it would cost time and money.

He said: "I think eventually it will happen. It would be an opportunity for this area to start deciding some things for itself again."

Mr Sutherland said he felt Reigate and Banstead Council invested less in Banstead than other parts of the borough.

He said: "They have spent money up here but it is so minute compared to the money spent elsewhere."

A council spokeswoman said they had not been approached about a proposal for a local council and were not aware of it.

She said: "We refute the suggestion that the council does not invest in the north of our borough as we do in other areas."

She highlighted plans for a new leisure centre in Tadworth, improvements to Lady Neville Recreation Ground in Banstead and new youth facilities in Nork and Tattenhams.