AN ACTION plan has been drawn up to tackle Tandridge's ailing economy.
Improving business parks, giving firms access to support and training and boosting the area's tourism trade have been highlighted as key measures to turn Tandridge's fortunes around.
The strategy follows a report which revealed the district is among the poorest performers in the South East for economic output.
In a bid to safeguard the area's prosperity, the council commissioned research to uncover the main issues and how to deal with them.
Councillor Martin Fisher, resources committee chairman, said the findings made for "honest reading".
"There were some very hard truths," he said. "I think we recognise we are a commuter area that serves London and Croydon.
"Tandridge is 94 per cent green belt, which is increasing pressure on housing and infrastructure. There is a tendency for brown field, industrial sites to become residential – developers find it's more attractive to build houses than industrial [units].
"So any industrial areas would be confined to the six per cent non-green belt land."
One of the reasons behind Tandridge's poor performance was thought to be major employers such as E On Insurance leaving the area in the 1990s.
While local firms said Tandridge's good transport links, parking and communications helped their business, they also said advice in digital technology and exporting goods and services would aid their growth.
The report also stated that wholesale and retail trade and the construction industry were strongest sectors in Tandridge, while IT and communication firms were underrepresented.
It also found that only two per cent of the area's 4,785 businesses were under a year old – indicating "lower levels of entrepreneurial activity".
But it added that well-established "key-employment" sites such as Lambs Business Park in Godstone and Hobbs Industrial Estate in Lingfield had more potential to unlock.
Even reviving the derelict Rose and Young building in Caterham and the gasholder site in Oxted would give the area a boost, it said.
Making the most of potential tourist attractions, including Lingfield racecourse, golf clubs and four star spa-hotels could also be money-spinners.
Chief planning officer Piers Mason, who summarised the research for committee members, said: "The availability of quality accommodation is cited as being a county-wide issue for both leisure and business visitors."
Mr Fisher agreed, saying: "We do want to push through more tourism. We are a nice area, we have got historic buildings, green belt walks, they could really be better used."
The committee agreed to a Smart Growth concept – a series of initiatives including maximising underused sites, ensuring businesses have the support they need and encouraging residents to work locally and from home.