This section is a direct copy of the information to be found in 'Future Mole Valley'
7. Green Belt Boundary Anomalies
This section details a number of minor boundary changes which are proposed to correct anomalies
in the current definition of the Green Belt boundary and ensure that it accords with guidance in the
NPPF.
Over time, some anomalies have arisen or come to the attention of the Council concerning the
current alignment of the Green Belt boundary. These have arisen because there have been
changes in circumstances on the ground since the current Green Belt boundary was defined
and/or because advice on how the Green Belt boundary should be defined has been updated.
The Local Plan review presents an opportunity to ensure that the Green Belt boundary is up to
date and follows consistent criteria throughout the District. This is a separate process from the
identification of sites for housing.
When defining Green belt boundaries, the NPPF (paragraph 139) states that local planning
authorities should, among other things “Define boundaries clearly, using physical features that are
readily recognisable and likely to be permanent”. Account should also be taken of the extent to
which it is necessary to keep land permanently open.
With this guidance in mind, a number of minor changes to the current Green Belt boundary are
proposed. While changes to the Green Belt should normally take place where exceptional
circumstances have been demonstrated, the limited extent of these changes mean that they would
have no material impact on the function of the Green Belt, and are only proposed to ensure that
the boundary on the ground is consistent paragraph 139 of the NPPF.
All the proposed changes are around the five built up areas of Dorking, Leatherhead, Ashtead,
Fetcham and Bookham.
The proposed boundary changes are shown on the policies map and listed below. Map extracts
are provided to show the existing and proposed location of the Green Belt boundary.
There are similar anomalies in the boundaries of many of the rural villages. However, these have
been addressed as part of the wider review of village boundaries, under the strategic option of
Modest Additions to Rural Villages. The proposed new village boundaries are shown on the
policies map.