The six-week consultation is scheduled to commence on or around Monday 2 November 2026. The council submitted its Local Plan for independent examination on 10 March 2025, with hearings held between August and October 2025, and again in July 2026. The Planning Inspector has requested the council consult on a schedule of proposed main modifications to the submitted plan, which include additional site allocations and changes to policy wording.
These modifications range from minor wording adjustments to the inclusion of new sites in the urban area and land proposed for removal from the Green Belt. Changes also relate to policies concerning the racecourse and racehorse training industry. The council's Licensing and Planning Policy Committee (LPPC) recommended the consultation proceed in September.
Councillor Peter O’Donovan, Chair of LPPC, stated that the modifications are necessary to ensure the Local Plan is sound and can be adopted. He highlighted that an up-to-date plan will help protect Epsom and Ewell from speculative development, preserve the borough's character, heritage, and green spaces, and support the strategic delivery of new homes, including affordable housing. Over 1,450 households are on the borough’s housing waiting list, with more than 260 in temporary accommodation.
Councillor O’Donovan added that the plan extends beyond housing, incorporating policies for high-quality design, environmental standards, and guidance for development across the borough's towns and centres to support employment and business growth. He encouraged interested parties to participate in the consultation.
Consultation documents and instructions on how to comment will be available on the council's planning policy consultation platform, with printed copies also accessible at local libraries and Epsom Town Hall during opening hours. All comments will be submitted to the Planning Inspector, whose final report will conclude the examination. Councillors will then make a final decision on approving the modified Local Plan.
