The CR3 Forum that is creating the Neighbourhood Plan for Caterham, Whyteleafe and Chaldon, urgently needs new members to join the Housing and Business workgroups to help shape the community for the future.

Releasing a Green Belt location around Caterham for up to 1,000 homes over the next 20 years is just one idea that is being considered within the Neighbourhood Plan. The Housing workgroup will consider whether continuing to safeguard the Green Belt is causing higher densities of housing to be built elsewhere such as at the Oaklands site (now 'Oakgrove') in Caterham-on-the-Hill. The Housing workgroup will have a stong impact in helping to shape the Neighbourhood Plan, including influencing the type of new homes built in the area. It will consider whether or not there is the right mix of homes or if Croydon Road in Caterham Valley and Whyteleafe are being overdeveloped with flats.

CR3 Forum member, Mark Bristow, who is a graduate in Town Planning, said: "Historically the area has seen a considerable loss of employment land with new homes built on these sites, such as at Caterham Barracks and Oaklands. Whilst we still have some small-scale brownfield sites these are limited. The consequence is that we lose the opportunity for businesses to locate or expand in the Caterham area. A clear example of where this is the current situation is the Caterham Cars and Marie Curie Hospice sites."

Mark explained that the Business workgroup will need to work with the Housing workgroup to protect the commercial properties in CR3 and maintain local employment opportunities. He said: "We currently have some developers involved who are searching for potential sites to develop so we need to balance that with people from the community! Please come and get involved and influence what happens along your street.

A household questionnaire is being delivered to homes in the area and can also be completed online at http://caterhamareaforum.wordpress.com/

Anyone wishing to be involved in the Business or Housing workgroups can contact Mark Bristow at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.