East Surrey MP, Peter Ainsworth, has welcomed the news that the Tandridge District Council’s Core Strategy has been given a clean bill of health by an independent Government appointed Planning Inspector.

The decision by the Inspector, David Vickery, to declare the Strategy as sound comes as the result of a hard fought and passionate local campaign which saw hundreds of residents making their feelings known to Mr Vickery either in person at the very well attended Exploratory Meeting back in April, or in writing.

The decision will also be seen as a victory for Tandridge District Council who has always been best placed to balance the often competing needs of environmental, economic and social well-being.

Of note in the Inspector’s Report is his support for Tandridge to more effectively manage the supply of land, giving them greater powers to refuse back garden development.

Speaking of the decision, Mr Ainsworth said:

“This is great news. My heartfelt congratulations go to all at the Tandridge Planning department for their hard work, dedication and robust defence of the green belt. Local residents, too, have cause to celebrate; they made their feelings known when it mattered, and left the Planning Inspector without a shadow of a doubt just how much this meant to the community.” 

He went on to say:

“Whilst this is clearly an important milestone, we must remain vigilant. There remains a risk that the Government may, at a later stage, seek to undermine the remarkable local effort we have witnessed; but for the time being we should all be justifiably proud of what has been achieved in difficult circumstances.”