Sutton launches consultation on “greenest ever” Local Plan

Sutton’s Liberal Democrat-run Council has launched a consultation on its proposed new Local Plan, which aims to tackle the housing crisis in the borough in a “responsible” way.

The plan, which was approved by both the Liberal Democrat Group and the sole Reform councillor on the Housing, Economy and Business Committee, sets out a pragmatic way forward for building new homes in the borough whilst ensuring that no parks, recreation grounds and green spaces will see their protected status changed. In fact - several sites, such as Grove Park in Carshalton, are gaining extra protection - being locally designated as Metropolitan Open Land for the first time.

Housing targets, which are rising nationally, would rise to 738 homes per year in Sutton under the proposed plan - far lower than the quadrupling that the Government had attempted to impose on the borough.

Chair of the Housing, Economy and Business Committee, Cllr Jake Short, said:

“Sutton is proud to have a bustling town centre and suburban, green communities surrounding it. This local plan will ensure it stays that way. Be sure to have your say on the draft plans by the 31st July. In the last consultation, the Council had an amazing 8,700 responses, all of which helped to make the plan stronger.

“There can be no doubt that housing is a fraught issue nationally, and the Liberal Democrats in Sutton have always taken a sensible approach. We have been making sure we build the homes families need to get off of long waiting lists whilst protecting the green spaces that define our borough. We’re also making sure new buildings are supported by new infrastructure - like doctors, shops and transport options.

“We have only been able to put this sensible and careful plan forward because of our years of pragmatic delivery, including by focusing new development in the town centre near to existing amenities. That has helped us push back against overbearing national housing targets and not just avoid building on green space but go further by awarding it additional protection.”