Photo Credit: Surrey Live / Darren Pepe
Proposals to demolish Surrey National Golf Club and construct up to 754 new homes on the 200-acre site have drawn strong opposition from local residents in Caterham and Chaldon.
The developer, Barratt Homes, is proposing a major housing layout arranged into "village clusters," featuring 49 per cent affordable housing, public green spaces, and a potential 3,000-square-metre supermarket. Under the early plans, the majority of existing structures on the property would be demolished, though the clubhouse would be retained.
The 18-hole course, which opened in the late 1990s on Rook Lane between Caterham and Chaldon, was put forward for housing promotion following an agreement between the course management and Barratt Homes under the Tandridge 2044 Local Plan.
Plans to build 754 homes on land currently occupied by the Surrey National Golf Course, as highlighted roughly in red . Photo Credit: Google
The development plans first emerged in August, when club management notified members by letter. Shortly after, Barratt Homes confirmed its intentions, stating the project would deliver "much needed new homes" in the region.
By September, Barratt Homes submitted preliminary planning documents to Tandridge District Council, requesting a determination on whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required prior to submitting a formal planning application. The developer has not yet submitted a full planning application to the council.
Tandridge District Council is currently under pressure to hit housing targets, having been told to build 819 new homes annually. Separate discussions among local councillors have also raised proposals to turn a Redhill and Horley car park into affordable housing.
The entrance to the Surrey National Golf Club on Rook Lane. Photo Credit: Google
The preliminary EIA submission has drawn dozens of formal objections from residents in Chaldon and Caterham, who argue that the development will permanently alter the area's identity.
One resident stated:
"It would destroy Chaldon as a semi-rural village which dates back to Doomsday. It would essentially become South Coulsdon, with a totally different and unwelcome character."
Another local resident warned against expanding the historical settlement:
"Chaldon is a well-established, close-knit historical community, and plans to overdouble its size are unsustainable and completely out of keeping with the unique heritage of the area."
"The golf course is a much-loved and well-used green belt area and should be protected from the increasing creep of urbanisation, turning us into effectively another faceless concreted London suburb."
A long-term local resident pointed to the buffer zone provided by the 200-acre site:
"The 200-acre site acts as a crucial buffer zone preventing Caterham and Chaldon from merging into a single urban sprawl."
"It also protects the distinct and separate communities, which is very important in a historic area such as Chaldon. Doubling Chaldon's population would ruin it beyond recognition."
Surrey National Golf Course is a short drive from Caterham Hill town centre. Photo Credit: Surrey Mirror - Grahame Larter
Multiple objections focused on the capacity of roads, medical facilities, and schools to handle the influx of new residents.
Highlighting existing pressure on local services, a lifelong resident noted:
"Chaldon lacks the sustainable local infrastructure, medical facilities, public transport, and school capacity required to support such a huge development."
"Furthermore, the roads and facilities, which are at breaking point already, simply couldn't cope. Increasing traffic, not only for the proposed housing but additional traffic that will be a result, will cause severe traffic and safety risks."
Another resident expressed concern that losing the green space would harm local appeal, wildlife habitats, and property values:
"Caterham on the Hill has a warm community with a local feel, where the regular events that are organised add to a sense of connection. This is why many of us chose to live here."
"Adding this many extra people will take away the personality of the area; it will feel more like Croydon - and that is not a good thing."
"The Surrey National Golf Course is a beautiful green space that has preserved the natural habitats of many types of British wildlife."
"The fact that this is on my doorstep is one of the main reasons I purchased the house. I will simply no longer want to live here if this goes ahead and I'm sure many others will feel the same way - and so Caterham will be a far less desirable area, affecting house prices and the economy."
The planning documents and public submissions remain available for review on Tandridge District Council's online planning portal.
