Greenbelt sites have been earmarked to potentially become huge housing developments holding up to 500 homes.

Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) has assessed 70 sites suggested by developers and landowners across the district in an effort to build homes for the future.

Although the sites have the capacity for about 3,000 homes, the council only needs land for about 1,300 new homes to meet housing targets.

The sites include eight greenbelt sites surrounding Leatherhead.

Your Local Guardian:

Planning permission was granted to build 70 homes here in Randalls Road 

Residents will be asked what land should be removed from the greenbelt if the council's executive gives the consultation the green light on December 17.

On Tuesday councillors recommended the consultation should run from January 10 to March 7.

Councillor John Northcott, portfolio holder for planning, said: "It's only because we cannot currently identify sufficient brownfield sites that we are having to contemplate taking land out of the greenbelt."

Among eight proposed greenbelt sites around Leatherhead, there are two grassland sites that could accommodate an estimated 245 homes off Randalls Road.

The proposal comes after planning permission was granted to build 70 homes in a nearby field in Randalls Road.

There is also a controversial plan to build 500 homes on Barnett Wood Lane Allotments and Merton College land by the Leatherhead Bypass.

Parkland and pasture south of Yarm Way and Windmill Drive could host up to 250 homes while individual plots in the Givons Grove area were highlighted for discussion.

A Royal Mail sorting office and former police station have also been suggested as suitable for development.

The consultation will also identify sites for the district’s traveller community to help meet their needs. 

In response to the sites Councillor Bridget Lewis-Carr said: "North Leatherhead has got enough homes already. It’s got so many people and so much traffic."

Leatherhead sites in the consultation:

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