On Friday afternoon I had a valuable catch up (via Zoom) with the Cobham and Downside Residents Association (CDRA) and Federation of Oxshott Residents and Associations (FEDORA).

We had a good discussion about the forthcoming Elmbridge Local Plan, which Elmbridge Borough Council recently announced will be published for consultation in the new year. Local Conservative councillors are clear – we oppose the option with development on Green Belt land. We call on the Lib Dems and Residents Associations running the council to follow our lead in protecting the Green Belt.

We also spoke about the government’s reforms to the planning system. I talked the associations through my responses to the relevant government consultations. I also questioned why the current coalition of Lib Dems and (other) Residents Associations running Elmbridge Borough Council have left us vulnerable to higher housing targets through their failure to put a Local Plan in place – despite having been in control of the council for three out of the last four years.

Finally, the associations gave me a useful update on the stretch of the A244 which runs through Oxshott. There have been important safety concerns about the road, which I am taking up on residents’ behalf with Surrey County Council. My thanks to the CDRA and FEDORA for taking the time to discuss these important local issues.