Plans for 200 homes near Surrey train station
A new neighbourhood of up to 200 homes could be springing up next to a Surrey train station – but locals fear it could turn the roads into a ‘rat run’ with hundreds of cars added to the road.
The scheme, put forward by developers Eden South Godstone Ltd, would transform 9.3 hectares of grassland west of Eastbourne Road into a mixed community with housing, open spaces, and a small commercial hub.
“Our vision for the land is to create a truly authentic place that welcomes a diverse range of people to live here, connected to the countryside, that forms a natural extension to the fabric of the village and well connected to the train station,” planning documents state.
If approved, the development would include up to 98 affordable homes — nearly half the total — alongside predominantly three-bedroom family properties.
Developers say the scheme will help Tandridge District Council meet pressing housing demand, particularly for affordable homes.
But concerns the development could bring hundreds of adults and children has left locals worried where the new folk will be able to see a GP or go to school.
One woman voiced concerns the roads will become a ‘rat-run’ around the site with only one main entrance and an emergency exit.
“You can’t live in Godstone without a car,” another South Godstone resident said. “What effect will the 400 extra cards have on entering and exiting the A22?”
A community space or commercial unit is also proposed to provide new facilities for residents, adding to nearby shops, restaurants and a primary school.
The site, currently made up of three fields, lies within the Metropolitan Green Belt. Developers acknowledged the designation, describing it as something that “washes over” the land and much of Tandridge.
They argue the impact will be “negligible” because the site is screened by existing trees and sits next to the railway line.
Only an outline application full details of the scale, mass and sort of homes are yet to be revealed.
Illustrative proposals suggest a mix of housing types, with higher-density buildings up to three storeys along Eastbourne Road and near the railway, and lower-density homes on the western and southern edges.
New access would be created from Eastbourne Road, with an emergency route via Tilburstow Hill Road.
The masterplan includes walking and cycling routes linking the neighbourhood with the village centre, Eastbourne Road and the station.
Large green spaces, play areas and drainage features are planned for the northern and southern ends of the site, with a focus on biodiversity and natural grassland.
Streets would be designed to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists over cars, encouraging social interaction.
Residents have until September 21 to comment on the application, with a decision expected by November 5.