Housing Ministers have confirmed to Epsom and Ewell MP Chris Grayling that the Borough will not be obliged to meet high housing targets by building on the green belt, and that the Council can take into account lack of availability of developable land locally in planning housing needs for the future. It means that Epsom and Ewell will only be asked to make provision for new housing where it is realistic to do so. The news was welcomed by Conservative County Councillor Bernie Muir who said: “We do need to build new homes in the area. It cannot be right that so many young people are unable to live locally and get onto the housing ladder. But we also have to protect the character of the area we live in.”

Councillor Muir and Chris Grayling MP are opposing plans for a large block of flats at the end of Epsom High Street which would dominate the area around West Street. The Residents Association Borough Council recently lifted previous height limits for developers building in Epsom and Ewell.