A major developer is pushing to build up to 656 homes directly on our Green Belt at Downs Farm. An inappropriate development of this magnitude will permanently erase our countryside, overwhelm local schools and healthcare, gridlock surrounding main roads, and severely worsen drainage and flood risks across the entire area.

This is a complete betrayal of democratic planning. If developers and local authorities can carve up protected countryside without giving residents a fair say, no green space in Surrey—or anywhere across the UK—is safe. We refuse to sit by and let our countryside be paved over.

Understanding Where We Stand

To understand why we must act immediately, there are two distinct processes we are facing:

* The Local Plan (Imminent Decision): The outcome of the Local Plan review is expected imminently. If approved by the Planning Inspector, it will permit the release of many major Green Belt sites across the borough—including Downs Farm.

* The Planning Application: Separately, we understand that developers (Dandara) is planning to submit a planning application to build on Downs Farm as early as September.

Why We Are Taking Legal Action & How Funds Will Be Used

Specialist planning lawyers have confirmed we have a strong legal case for a Judicial Review. Because legal costs are estimates that could increase depending on how the case progresses, we will review our prospects and strategy at each stage alongside our legal team.

Our Two-Phase Campaign:

* Phase 1: The Local Plan Legal Challenge (£10,000 Target)

This initial phase funds a wider legal challenge seeking a Judicial Review of the entire Local Plan process. By mounting this overarching legal challenge, we protect not just Downs Farm, but the entire wider borough. We urgently need to secure our initial legal fighting fund to instruct our legal team immediately.

* Phase 2: Defending Against Planning Applications

As developers move forward with site-specific planning applications, this phase builds a fighting fund to hire independent planning consultants, commission specialist technical surveys (traffic gridlock, sewage, drainage, and wildlife loss), and fund ongoing expert legal representation.

Two Ways You Can Help Right Now

Whether you live in Epsom, Ewell, Reigate, Banstead, or anywhere in the country fighting to defend our countryside:

* Donate What You Can: Every single pound—whether £10, £50, or £150+—gives our community the teeth to stand up, fight back, and win.

* Share This Link Widely: Please post this page on your local WhatsApp groups, Nextdoor, Facebook, and with neighbours, family, and friends.

About AEDR, Transparency & Updates

This campaign is led by the Association of Ewell Downs Residents (AEDR), a non-political local community organisation founded in 1926.

All funds are held securely in a dedicated AEDR account, strictly audited, and backed by regular transparent updates on our legal progress.

Once our Green Belt is bulldozed, it is gone forever. Please donate today and share this page with everyone who cares about our countryside.