Letter to the Housing Secretary: Grey Belt Designations in West Surrey

Please see the letter below.

Dr Al Pinkerton MP has joined Zoë Franklin MP and Will Forster MP in writing to Housing Secretary Angela Rayner about the Government’s grey belt policy and its potential impact on West Surrey.

The MPs support building more homes, particularly affordable and social homes. Their letter warns, however, that assessing development sites one at a time could overlook the combined effect of building on the narrow gaps between villages and smaller settlements. As the new West Surrey Council prepares to take responsibility for planning across the area in April 2027, they argue that these wider impacts need to be considered.

Key calls include:

• Recognise the importance of keeping villages and smaller settlements distinct, as well as preventing neighbouring towns from merging.
• Assess the cumulative impact of multiple developments on the gaps between communities.
• Strengthen safeguards against gradual urban sprawl and ribbon development.
• Ensure the policy does not favour easier undeveloped sites over brownfield development and urban regeneration.
• Consider whether roads, public transport, schools, healthcare and utilities can realistically support new homes.
• Examine how the grey belt definition works in areas such as West Surrey, and amend the guidance if needed.

Al and his colleagues have also requested a meeting with the Housing Secretary or Planning Minister before the relevant assessments are finalised. They want the homes West Surrey needs to be built with the infrastructure to support them, while protecting the distinct identities of its communities.

Please see the letter below.