Councillors will vote on whether to publish a masterplan later this month that residents hope will encourage house building as well as protecting the green belt in Ashtead.

The Ashtead Neighbourhood Forum has spent three years carrying out consultations and drafting policies to develop the village’s neighbourhood development plan (NDP).

Surrey Comet:

Greenbelt land in Pleasure Pit Road

The draft plan has been presented to Mole Valley District Council, and councillors will vote on whether to launch an official public consultation on the plan on Tuesday, June 21.

Following the consultation, the plan draft would be scrutinised by an independent examine and, if found sound, be subjected to a community referendum.

Surrey Comet:

Ashtead Recreation Ground playground

If adopted the plan would set out a policy framework for any future development in the village for the next ten years. This would include infrastructure and transport needs, style and size of housing, and the protection of the Green Belt and Ashtead’s historical heritage.

The forum’s vision statement states: “The NDP will seek to maintain and enhance the sense of community within the village by protecting and enhancing the natural and built environment, assisting the local economy, and improving travel, leisure and life-long learning opportunities while supporting our needs with appropriate development.”

Surrey Comet:

Craddocks Parade, Ashtead

Tony Tuley chairman of the Ashtead Neighbourhood Forum said he was “pleased” with the plan and “confident” that it would be approved.

He added: “We want to maintain the building of smaller homes in Ashtead.

“This is so young people can get on the housing ladder to encourage older people who sit in a larger house and want to stay in the area to downsize to free “We are surrounded by green belt land and we want to keep it that way.

“We are also fortunate to have a local butcher, baker and greengrocer as well as supermarket, and we want to maintain the local economy.”

Surrey Comet:

Ashtead Recreation Park

Mole Valley District Council’s new leader Councillor Vivienne Michael said: “The draft NDP represents an exciting step forward for Ashtead which will allow it to help its communities thrive.

“The council is pleased to be supporting the Ashtead Neighbourhood Forum in creating this plan.

“It gives local residents a great opportunity to get involved in shaping their own community’s future.”

The Ashtead Neighbourhood Forum’s neighbourhood development plan was studied by Mole Valley District Council’s scrutiny committee on Tuesday, June 7.

The committee has recommended that councillors approve the plan at an executive meeting on Tuesday, June 21.