Strategic Development Option on land northeast of Fair Oak
Last winter, the Council undertook an ‘issues and options’ consultation as part of its Local Plan Review. On the back of this, four possible areas where new communities could be created, known as Strategic Development Options (SDOs), were identified. These SDOs could create mixed-use developments with new homes, green spaces - and potentially businesses, schools and health facilities. The SDOs were based on sites put forward by local landowners and developers. The sites have not been proposed by the Council, and they would be the subject of rigorous examination and further public consultation as part of the Local Plan process or if any planning applications were submitted.
One of these four SDOs is on land northeast of Fair Oak (SDO A in the Issues & Options document). We have been made aware that the main developers for the SDO northeast of Fair Oak, Croudace and Highwood, are about to submit a request for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening Opinion, and to undertake some publicity with local residents (website / letter). This request is from the developers and has not been initiated by the Council. Under the regulations, we are now required to provide a response.
A Screening Opinion is a formal request to the local planning authority to assess whether a proposed development falls under Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 . These regulations outline the types of development that require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). If the development is likely to have significant environmental effects, an EIA and Environmental Statement will be required.
A summary of the EIA process is on our website:
Our Local Plan is about helping the Borough to grow sustainably. This includes finding a balance between providing new homes to meet local housing needs and government targets, while creating jobs and protecting the environment. Under the Local Plan Review, the Council continues to analyse the wide range of responses it received from local communities and other interested parties to its ‘issues and options’ consultation. We are continuing to gather the evidence needed to make an informed decision on which SDOs to select for potential development and we should be ready to make this decision in the Autumn of next year (2026). We have no preference between SDOs at this stage. The screening request initiated by the developers does not indicate any preference from the Council one way or another between the different SDOs it consulted on over the winter.
We’re keen to ensure that the best sites for new homes, businesses and community facilities are selected which protect our most important areas of countryside and can provide the infrastructure and facilities that our communities need.
We will ensure that local residents are kept fully informed throughout this process.
Update - November 2025 - A Scoping Request Scoping Opinion ref. V/25/100369, which seeks the Council Opinion as to what information should be included/Scoped in to an Environmental Statement has been submitted and is under consultation with statutory consultees. Please note the Scoping Opinion is also not a formal planning application but is a technical requirement under the EIA Regulations 2017 which is not subject to public consultation. Therefore, there is no statutory requirement for the Council to invite public comment on the submission. After adoption, the Scoping Opinion is placed on the planning register and publicly available for 2 years.