Mole Valley Local Plan

Opened the debate

Sir Paul Beresford thanked the Minister and her officials for their support, noting that his comments pertained to a specific planning case under review by an inspector. He highlighted Mole Valley's natural beauty and green spaces, contrasting it with urban areas like east London. The local plan of Mole Valley is outdated, dating back to 2009, while over 90% of other English local authorities have updated plans. In May 2019, the Liberal Democrats took control of Mole Valley District Council and produced a draft local plan containing 30 or more green-belt sites without council voting. This led to significant opposition from residents who feared the loss of protected areas. Beresford emphasised that despite small percentages involved, these changes affected people deeply attached to their homes' surroundings. The plan faced delays due to elections and was later subjected to an inquiry, with Mole Valley District Council deciding against withdrawing it despite initial intentions to do so. He argued for stricter protections on green-belt sites, suggesting they should only be removed in exceptional circumstances.

Government Response

Minister Felicity Buchan congratulated Sir Paul Beresford for securing the debate and acknowledged the importance of updating local plans. She noted that Mole Valley's plan, last updated in 2009, is outdated, placing it among the bottom 7% nationally by age. The council submitted its draft local plan for examination in February 2022, but delays occurred due to elections and policy updates. The Minister emphasised the need for councils to meet housing needs and deliver homes effectively; Mole Valley’s performance was poor in this regard, with a significant shortfall of dwellings over five years. Concerned about potential speculative developments on green-belt sites without proper planning, she intervened when Mole Valley District Council considered withdrawing its plan at an advanced stage. Buchan assured that the process would proceed as planned and reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting and enhancing the green belt, stressing that alterations should only occur under exceptional circumstances with thorough justification.