More than 150 homes proposed on green belt land

An empty field in Surrey's green belt could host more than 150 new homes under plans set to be considered by the council.

Riverdale Developments is seeking planning permission from Spelthorne Borough Council to develop land off Vicarage Road in Sunbury-on-Thames.

The proposals would see up to 158 new homes, half of which would be set aside for affordable housing, built on what the developer called "unmanaged low value grassland", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The site also has planning permission for a 60-bed care home along with 98 extra care units, which was approved at appeal.

The location falls within Surrey's green belt, which would usually restrict developments to prevent the spread of urban areas into the countryside.

However, Riverdale Developments argued it would qualify as "grey belt".

Introduced in national planning law in 2024, the category allows some sites to be developed if they do not sufficiently contribute to green belt purposes.

The proposed homes would stand between two and three stories high, including maisonettes, flats and houses from two to four bedrooms.

Public open space and 300 parking spaces are also included in the plans.

"This is a significant contribution to local housing supply in a national housing crisis," the applicant's planning documents say.

Spelthorne Borough Council's deadline to decide the application is 24 December.

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