Plans for 540 homes between two villages

Plans for up to 540 new homes have been put forward for farmland between two Surrey villages.

Developer Green Kite Homes wants to build the housing estate at Grove Heath North, in Ripley, on a 26-hectare (64 acres) site off Portsmouth Road (B2215).

The land, near Papercourt Lake and the East Clandon Stream, is mostly agricultural fields with areas of woodland and footpaths.

Up to half of the homes could be affordable, with proposals also including a small shop, green open space, new walking and cycling routes and protection for existing woodland.

Residents' concerns included traffic congestion, overdevelopment in the countryside and extra pressure on schools, GPs, drainage and utilities, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported.

Before any detailed designs are approved, the project has to go through an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which will evaluate how the scheme could affect traffic, wildlife, flooding, local services and the surrounding countryside.

The application is at outline stage, meaning the developer is asking Guildford Borough Council to agree to the principle of development at the site.

Green Kite Homes said it hopes to submit a planning application in the spring, with construction to start in 2027 if approval was granted.

The company said the first residents could move in by 2028, with work completed around 2031.

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.