The Importance of Green Belt Land and the Risks of Releasing It

Introduction

The proposed housing development at Blundel Lane, Stoke d’Abernon, Surrey, near Polyapes Scout Site, raises significant concerns over the potential release of Green Belt land.

While developers argue that building on Green Belt land is necessary to meet housing demand, the reality is that this could lead to long-term environmental, social, and infrastructural challenges that affect both current and future generations.

What Is Green Belt Land and Why Is It Important?

The Green Belt is a legally designated area of open land around cities, towns, and villages, protected by planning laws to prevent urban sprawl and protect the natural environment. The UK’s Green Belt policy was first introduced in 1955 and remains a key planning tool for managing sustainable development.

Key Purposes of Green Belt Land:

✅ Prevents Urban Sprawl – Limits unchecked expansion, preventing towns and cities from merging into one another.
✅ Protects the Character of Villages and Countryside – Preserves local identity and prevents communities from being swallowed by overdevelopment.
✅ Supports Wildlife and Biodiversity – Provides vital habitats for birds, mammals, and insects, helping maintain the UK’s ecosystems.
✅ Encourages Brownfield Development – Directs developers to previously developed (brownfield) sites before seeking to build on untouched countryside.
✅ Improves Air Quality and Climate Resilience – Green Belt land absorbs carbon dioxide, reduces urban heat, and mitigates flooding risks.
✅ Enhances Well-Being and Recreation – Offers green spaces for walking, cycling, and outdoor activities, benefiting both physical and mental health.

💡 Key Concern for Residents: If Green Belt protections are removed, developers could permanently alter the rural character of Stoke d’Abernon, replacing open countryside with high-density housing.

Why Is the Green Belt at Risk Near Blundel Lane?

• Developers argue that there is a housing shortage and seek Green Belt land as a cheaper and more profitable alternative to brownfield sites.

• Government pressure on local councils to increase housing supply has made some Green Belt sites vulnerable to development proposals.

• Elmbridge Borough Council faces housing targets, and developers often use this as a justification to seek planning permission for Green Belt development.

However, releasing Green Belt land should be a last resort, as it fundamentally undermines the principles of sustainable planning.

💡 Key Concern for Residents: If one Green Belt site is released for housing, it sets a dangerous precedent, making it easier for future developments to chip away at more protected land.

The Risks of Releasing Green Belt Land

1. Permanent Loss of Open Green Spaces and Countryside

• Once Green Belt land is built on, it is lost forever—future generations will not have the same access to open landscapes and nature.

• Large-scale housing development could destroy ancient hedgerows, woodlands, and wildlife habitats, significantly reducing biodiversity.

• The rural character of Stoke d’Abernon could be permanently altered, erasing what makes it special.

💡 Question to Ask: If this development goes ahead, how much more Green Belt land will be lost in the future?

2. Increased Flooding Risks

• Green Belt land absorbs rainwater, reducing flood risks by allowing natural drainage.

• Large-scale development replaces permeable land with concrete and tarmac, increasing surface water runoff and flood risks.

• Stoke d’Abernon already has drainage issues, and removing Green Belt land could make them worse.

💡 Key Concern for Residents: How will developers prevent localised flooding, and who will be responsible for maintaining drainage solutions?

3. Overloaded Infrastructure and Public Services

• Local roads, schools, GP surgeries, and utilities are already under pressure.

• More homes mean increased demand for school places, longer GP waiting times, and higher congestion levels.

• Developers may promise infrastructure improvements, but in many cases, these are delayed or never fully delivered.

💡 Key Concern for Residents: Will local infrastructure be upgraded before or after new residents move in?

4. Weakening of Planning Protections for Future Generations

• If one Green Belt site is sacrificed, it makes it easier for developers to argue for more releases in the future.

• Developers often use “exceptional circumstances” to justify Green Belt release, but once the door is open, stopping future developments becomes harder.

• Future generations will inherit a fragmented and degraded countryside, rather than the protected landscapes we enjoy today.

💡 Key Concern for Residents: If we allow this Green Belt land to be built on, where will developers target next?

5. Loss of Local Wildlife and Biodiversity

• Green Belt land around Blundel Lane and Polyapes Scout Site provides essential habitats for birds, deer, foxes, and other wildlife.

• Development could disrupt ecosystems, leading to species displacement and loss of biodiversity.

• Some developers propose “biodiversity net gain” policies, but these often involve small, fragmented green spaces that do not compensate for lost habitats.

💡 Key Concern for Residents: Can developers genuinely replace centuries-old ecosystems with newly planted trees and artificial habitats?

What Can Residents Do to Protect the Green Belt?

1. Object to the Planning Application

• Submit formal objections during the consultation period.

• Raise concerns about flooding risks, infrastructure pressure, biodiversity loss, and urban sprawl.

2. Engage with Local Councillors and MPs

• Contact your local representatives to express opposition to Green Belt development.

• Ask them to support policies that protect rural landscapes and encourage brownfield site redevelopment instead.

3. Raise Awareness in the Community

• Share information on social media and community forums.

• Encourage neighbours and local groups to get involved in the planning process.

4. Challenge Developers’ Claims

• Scrutinise biodiversity plans, infrastructure proposals, and environmental impact reports.

• Ensure that developers provide evidence that housing demand cannot be met using brownfield land.

Conclusion: Why the Green Belt Must Be Defended

The Green Belt around Blundel Lane and Stoke d’Abernon is a precious natural asset that provides:

🌳 Protection from urban sprawl
🌍 Vital environmental and biodiversity benefits
🏡 A unique rural character for our community
🚶 Space for recreation, well-being, and future generations

Once lost, it cannot be replaced. The risks of overdevelopment, increased flooding, overloaded infrastructure, and irreversible environmental damage far outweigh the short-term gain of building houses in protected areas.

As a community, we must hold developers and local councils accountable and ensure that our Green Belt remains protected for generations to come.