Plans for 270 new homes to go before council

Up to 270 new homes could be built in a Surrey village if newly-submitted plans are approved.

Wates Developments and its partners, Vistry Group, have submitted outline plans to Mole Valley District Council for the homes in Ashtead, of which it says about 40% will be affordable.

The proposals, which still need to go through the planning  process, also include a community centre that could become a children's nursery.

Nearby schools are said to be under subscribed with vacancy rates expected to grow in some areas, according to planning documents submitted to the council.

John Tarvit, director of planning for Wates Developments, said: "We have an exciting vision for this site to create a sense of place and community, with landscape-led design that incorporates a variety of green spaces."

The land, south of Ermyn Way, has been allocated for residential-led development by the council with the developers saying they are "committed to creating a distinctive and responsive new neighbourhood, offering a good range of house sizes and types".

Plans are currently in outline format but developers have said buildings will vary across the site, up to a maximum of three storeys, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Wates said the site currently consisted of arable agricultural fields just north of the M25, was within walking and cycling distance of both Ashtead and Leatherhead, and was already well-connected to bus services.

The final layout will be determined through discussion with the council.

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