News PRP receives approval for first Grey Belt residential development in Elmbridge

PRP receives approval for first Grey Belt residential development in Elmbridge

News, Press Releases

April 16, 2025

Elmbridge Borough Council has granted detailed planning permission for 216 homes on previously developed land within the Green Belt in Surrey. During the planning committee meeting at Elmbridge Civic Centre on March 11, 2025, members supported the officer’s recommendation to approve the application, confirming that it aligns with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and meets the criteria for Grey Belt development.

Commissioned by Claudel Venture Holdings, PRP has designed a residential scheme that integrates harmoniously with the verdant environment of the golf course, delivering 216 homes ranging from one-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom family houses. Aligning with a key aspect of the Grey Belt designation, the development will provide 50% affordable housing.

With the closure of the golf course, the project will also introduce a 21.83-hectare area of Suitable Alternative Green Space (SANG) to be used for a community park, as well as a dedicated 10.17-hectare zone for biodiversity. It will also provide a GP surgery with eight doctors which is of significant benefit to local residents.

The site’s convenient location near Hersham Railway Station and Hersham Village enhances public transport accessibility, enabling residents to travel conveniently and contribute to a lower carbon footprint. The inclusion of green spaces and pedestrian-friendly pathways creates a balance between nature and modern living for residents.

Ian Bott, Director at PRP, said, "This decision was crucial for the council, which is currently struggling to meet its housing delivery targets, and represents a significant turning point for the borough. The design solution is a sensitive response to the Green Belt and represents a major contribution to Elmbridge Borough’s housing needs by delivering high-quality, energy-efficient, affordable housing in a highly sustainable location. It’s great to see the planning committee members recognising this site as an exemplary opportunity to deliver housing in accordance with government policy.”

 

For more information, please contact Rebekah Foote, Interim Head of Marketing at PRP: r.foote@prp-co.uk or 07476999303.