Elmbridge Borough Council has officially started work on its new Local Plan 2039, opening a scoping consultation on Wednesday 4 November 2026 that will run until Wednesday 9 December 2026. Residents, businesses, and stakeholders are encouraged to participate and help shape the future growth and development of the borough.

What is the Local Plan?

The Local Plan will guide how Elmbridge grows and develops over the coming years, including decisions on where new homes, jobs, infrastructure, and community facilities should be located. An up-to-date Local Plan provides clarity for residents, businesses, infrastructure providers, and developers.

Why is a new Local Plan needed now?

New government regulations require Elmbridge Borough Council to begin preparing a new Local Plan by 31 December 2026. Although Elmbridge is set to become part of the new East Surrey unitary council in April 2027, the council remains the local planning authority until then and must comply with these statutory requirements.

The evidence, technical studies, and consultation feedback gathered during this process will be passed on to East Surrey Council to ensure Elmbridge’s local needs and community views are captured for future planning.

What is being asked in this consultation?

This first stage of consultation is a scoping exercise, not proposing specific development sites or detailed policies. Instead, the council is seeking views on:

• The main opportunities and challenges for development in Elmbridge
• The issues and priorities the new Local Plan should address
• What matters most to people who live, work, study, or spend time in the borough
• How residents would like to be involved as the Local Plan develops

Feedback at this early stage will help shape the direction of the Local Plan and inform subsequent stages of its preparation.

Call for sites

Alongside the consultation, a Call for sites is open to landowners, developers, and other interested parties to suggest sites they consider suitable for future development or other uses. Submitting a site does not guarantee it will be allocated; all sites will be assessed as part of the Local Plan process.

How to have your say

The consultation is open until midnight on Wednesday 9 December 2026. Residents and stakeholders can participate online, and the consultation materials are available in other formats upon request.

For more information and to take part, visit the Elmbridge Borough Council website.

Council statement

“We know residents care deeply about the future of their communities. This consultation gives everyone an early opportunity to tell us what the new Local Plan should focus on, helping to make sure local views are considered from the very beginning,” said Councillor Caroline James, Portfolio Holder for Planning Services.

She added, “The government has introduced a new planning system that requires Elmbridge to begin preparing new Local Plans by the end of this year. As the current local planning authority, Elmbridge has a legal responsibility to comply with these regulations, regardless of the wider changes taking place through local government reorganisation. By starting this work now, we can create a clear, evidence-based picture of Elmbridge’s needs and priorities and ensure local communities have the opportunity to have their say.”

Source: Elmbridge Borough Council — news