The public consultation on Epsom & Ewell’s Draft Local Plan will start in early February 2023, and run for a six week period.

The Council’s Licensing and Planning Policy Committee approved these dates for the consultation at their meeting on 21 November 2022, after a delay due to the national period of mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, as well as to allow further member briefing sessions to be undertaken to enable members to fully engage with and help shape the Local Plan.

The Local Plan is the statutory plan setting out the principal policies and proposals for land use and development in the borough. It will set the vision and framework for future development of the borough to 2040, including addressing the provision of new homes, supporting the local economy, environmental considerations, and infrastructure needs. The Plan will allocate sites for development and set out a suite of policies used in decision making on planning matters.

The key milestones for the Local Plan are: 

• February - March 2023 – Draft Local Plan public consultation (Regulation 18)  
• February - March 2024 – Submission Public Consultation (Regulation 19)
• June 2024 – Submission to the Secretary of State  
• Spring 2025 – Estimated date of Adoption 

Councillor Steven McCormick, Chair of the Licensing and Planning Policy Committee, commented: “This Draft Local Plan public consultation (Regulation 18) is a crucial stage in the process of developing the Local Plan. It ensures local residents, businesses and stakeholders have the opportunity to engage and comment on the proposals, which are significant for our borough. There will be a wide variety of ways the local community can find out more about the Local Plan – watch this space for more information as the consultation period approaches.”