OPPOSITION is growing over plans to build a new housing development in Oxted.
Residents have discovered plans to build 140 new houses in a green belt site between two schools.
No planning application has been submitted, but a Freedom of Information Act request has revealed communication between Tandridge District Council and the developer regarding the site.
It showed that Outwood company Village Developments want to build on land off Chichele Road, next to St Mary's School and The Larks nursery.
But the idea has already sparked anger among residents.
"It's wrong that the green belt should come under threat, when there are so many other brownfield sites available. What about the gas holder?" said Oxted and Limpsfield Residents' Group member Julie Cole.
"This is not about providing housing but about making maximum profits and destroying the local environment as a result."
"This is an important community green space and an important part of the green infrastructure of Oxted – lots of families, dog walkers and hikers use the field, and schoolchildren from St Mary's use it for nature studies."
St Mary's School head teacher Sarah Lewis said she was concerned about the safety of children.
"There is already a high volume of traffic and it would only get worse with an access road that comes out right next door to our caretaker's house," she said.
"That area is a pedestrian hub for schoolchildren, not just from this school but Oxted School as well, and it will make school drop-off and pick-up impossible."
Oxted and Limpsfield Residents Group also believes the area's infrastructure, such as the health centre, would not be able to cope with an influx of new residents.
"The infrastructure cannot support this level of building," added Mrs Cole.
"For example, we have had a number of e-mails from members concerned about the waiting time for an appointment at Oxted Health Centre, and the recent permission for 172 houses at Hurst Green will push things to breaking point."
Group chairman Catherine Sayer said: "People are particularly upset because it's not necessary to build on the green belt - the council has demonstrated that it has got a good housing land supply with more than enough brownfield sites."
The area of the proposed site is about 15.3 acres and would extend to the east as far as the ward boundary.
Village Developments managing director Nigel Greenhalgh said any plans would be subject to "extensive consultation with local residents, schools, utility providers and local groups, including a presentation and workshop by our architects".
He said: "We would welcome a positive dialogue with the residents' groups and are happy to meet them at any time.
"We understand the sensitivity towards development in the green belt, but this particular site does not contribute to coalescence - the principle aim of the green belt."
Tandridge district councillor Martin Fisher said only very special circumstances could justify development on the green belt.
"Personally I cannot see such circumstances exist. The green belt there will be defended robustly."
