Plans for around 300 houses in Surrey village dubbed ‘one of the most expensive in England’
Applicant Fairmile Group envisions Clouds Hill Farm, in Oxshott, as an exciting new prospect in the exclusive village
Last updated 1st Apr 2025
Speculative plans for around 300 houses in a village dubbed ‘one of the most expensive in England’ have been put forward. Applicant Fairmile Group envisions Clouds Hill Farm, in Oxshott, as an exciting new prospect in the exclusive village.
Developer Fairmile Group has “cherry-picked” the pricey village for a new project in building hundreds of homes- a diversion from its previous venture in creating bespoke mansions.
If approved, a whole new neighbourhood could spring up in the idyllic semi-rural village between Esher and Leatherhead. The quaint area could see its population jump from just under 5,000 residents, with an addition of 300 new homes.
Details on the proposed scheme are scarce, but planning documents indicate the homes would be up to 2.5 storeys or around 12m tall. An alternative natural green space (or SANG) is included in the speculative plans and would be located in the south-western part of the site.
The proposed development site covers 23.14 hectares of land and comprises two residential properties, stables, a barn, grasslands, grazing pastures and woodlands, according to planning documents. Any potential harm to the green belt site will be assessed at the full planning application stage.
Last week the developers asked Elmbridge Borough Council’s formal opinion on what information should be included in an environmental impact assessment for a future planning application.
Transforming previous grassland and grazing pastures into a massive housing development, the proposal could result in “significant environmental impacts” which would be “permanent and non-reversible”, planning documents state.
In a previous screening application from last year, Natural England commented the proposed development could have “significant effects” on designated conservation sites and further consultation is required.
Another draft proposal for a development of up to 250 homes with two public open spaces and play areas on Blundel Lane in Stoke D’Abernon- about 1.1km west of the application site. Officers have highlighted the developments could have a “significant cumulative impact”.
Elmbridge borough currently does not have an updated ‘Local Plan’ – effectively a manual which outlines what can be built and where. Faced with high mandatory housing targets from the government, Elmbridge is at risk from speculative proposals.
People can comment on what they think the developer should include in an environmental impact assessment on the council’s website. Residents will have to wait until a full planning application is submitted before more details emerge.