Residents divided over Redhill Aerodrome housing plans
A council consultation has found both support and opposition to the proposed development
Residents in East Surrey are divided over proposals to earmark Redhill Aerodrome for a major housing development of up to 2,250 homes.
Tandridge District Council included the CAA-licensed airfield as a possible “strategic development” site in its draft local plan, which was put out for consultation over the summer.
The site is close to the boundary with neighbouring Reigate and Banstead, but is separated from the Redhill urban area by open fields.
Consultation responses showed mixed views. Exactly 50% of online respondents supported the Aerodrome proposal, while 35% opposed it.
After email responses were included, council officers said the final figures were 53% in favour and 47% against.
Officers said the main concerns raised included the impact on local infrastructure and the Green Belt, as well as the scale of the development and potential pressure on schools and health services.
Some residents backed the proposal because of its potential to deliver a large number of homes alongside new infrastructure. Others called for greater use of brownfield land and redevelopment within existing settlements instead.
Councillors in neighbouring Reigate and Banstead have also raised concerns.
In August, Councillor Stephen McKenna, Green Party member for Redhill East, said the proposal would effectively create “a new settlement” in the countryside and would require significant infrastructure to be funded by developers.
Tandridge District Council says no final decision has been made on whether the site will be taken forward.
Planning policy lead Councillor Catherine Sayer said: “If the site is taken forward, it would need to be comprehensively planned and supported by infrastructure delivered at the appropriate stages.”