The Runnymede Call for Sites ran from 7 September to 11:59pm on 12 October 2026, alongside the scoping consultation. The council says later submissions may be carried into the next round. Status checked 25 September 2026. Council source
Runnymede Borough Council is inviting landowners, developers and site promoters to put forward land as it prepares its new Local Plan.
The 2026 Call for Sites is an opportunity to bring new land into the Council's Strategic Land Availability Assessment, update an existing site, or strengthen the case for land already being promoted.
Runnymede Borough Council has started preparing a new Local Plan. One of the key questions for the plan will be where future homes, employment space, infrastructure and other land uses should be located.
The Call for Sites helps the Council identify land that may be available and assess whether it could form part of the Borough's future development strategy.
Submitted sites feed into the Council's Strategic Land Availability Assessment (SLAA). The SLAA considers whether sites may be suitable, available and achievable for development or other uses.
Inclusion within the SLAA does not itself allocate land or grant planning permission. It is, however, an important part of the evidence base used to inform future Local Plan decisions.
You can put forward a new site for consideration.
Existing SLAA or Brownfield Register sites can be amended or updated.
Sites can be promoted for housing, employment and a wide range of other uses.
A clear site boundary and information about availability and development potential will be required.
A site being submitted does not mean that the Council has accepted it for development. Runnymede will assess sites through the SLAA and wider Local Plan evidence base before deciding which locations may have a role in the future strategy.
Is the proposed use appropriate having regard to planning policy, environmental constraints and the site's relationship with surrounding development?
Is there a realistic prospect that the site can be brought forward, with the support of the landowner and without fundamental ownership constraints?
Is development realistically capable of being delivered, taking account of infrastructure, mitigation, viability and other practical considerations?
Runnymede's Call for Sites covers considerably more than conventional housing land. This creates opportunities for a range of landowners and development interests.
Runnymede has a number of strategic planning constraints which make early site assessment particularly important. A submission should respond to the characteristics of the land rather than relying on a generic promotion case.
The Council is undertaking further Green Belt and Grey Belt work as part of the new Local Plan evidence base. For sites within the Green Belt, their contribution to Green Belt purposes, surrounding context and potential relationship with the emerging strategy can be particularly important.
Parts of Runnymede are affected by the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area. Residential development can require Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace and strategic access management mitigation, making location and available SANG capacity relevant considerations.
Parts of the Borough are significantly influenced by rivers and flood risk. Understanding flood zones, surface water issues and the likely implications for developable area should form part of an early feasibility assessment.
Highway access, utilities, ecology, heritage, landscape, infrastructure and neighbouring uses can all influence whether a site is realistically capable of contributing to the Local Plan.
Runnymede published its latest SLAA work in May 2026, but the Council has made clear that the assessment will continue to evolve as further evidence becomes available.
In particular, further Green Belt and Grey Belt work is expected to inform another iteration of the SLAA.
This means that landowners should think beyond simply completing the Council's nomination form. The planning case for the site may need to develop alongside the evidence base and emerging Local Plan strategy.
This is where a longer-term strategic land promotion approach can be valuable.
Establish the planning history, policy position, constraints and development opportunity.
Assess Green Belt, settlement relationship, flood risk, SPA implications, accessibility and infrastructure.
Explain why the site could make a realistic contribution to future development needs.
Respond to later evidence, consultations and emerging Local Plan proposals where appropriate.
Cedar Planning can advise landowners, developers and promoters at the initial Call for Sites stage and throughout the wider Local Plan process.
Our focus is not simply completing a form. We consider the site's planning potential, identify the issues likely to matter to the Council and develop a clear strategy for promoting the land.
If you are unsure whether a site is worth promoting, an initial planning feasibility study can help establish its prospects before further expenditure.
Initial review of planning potential and key constraints.
Review of adopted and emerging Local Plan policy.
Preparation of the Call for Sites information and supporting case.
Consideration of Green Belt and emerging Grey Belt evidence.
Representations as the plan moves through later consultation stages.
Strategic advice as evidence and proposed allocations emerge.
We can advise on potential development sites across Runnymede, including land around Addlestone, Chertsey, Egham, Englefield Green, Ottershaw, Thorpe, Virginia Water and the Borough's surrounding urban and Green Belt areas.
Runnymede Borough Council states that it may still accept site submissions outside the formal Call for Sites period.
However, a late site may only be considered through a later iteration of the SLAA as the Local Plan progresses.
Where possible, landowners seeking consideration through the current exercise should therefore aim to submit during the formal 2026 window.
Formal Call for Sites opens 7 September 2026.
Formal Call for Sites closes 12 October 2026.
Late submissions may be accepted but could move into a later SLAA assessment.
The formal 2026 Call for Sites period runs from Monday 7 September until Monday 12 October 2026.
The Strategic Land Availability Assessment is part of the Council's Local Plan evidence base. It considers potential land supply and whether sites may be suitable, available and achievable for development or other uses.
Yes. Runnymede Council states that the 2026 exercise can be used to suggest a new site or amend details relating to a previously submitted SLAA or Brownfield Register site.
A Call for Sites submission can identify land for assessment. Whether Green Belt land is ultimately suitable for development will depend on the Council's evidence, the emerging Local Plan, national policy and the circumstances of the individual site.
No. Submission does not grant planning permission or guarantee that a site will be allocated. It allows the land to be assessed through the Local Plan evidence base.
Yes. We can assess the site's planning potential, review relevant constraints, prepare the planning case and assist with the Call for Sites submission and later Local Plan representations.
Send us the site location and a brief description of the land. We can review its planning context and advise whether a Call for Sites submission or wider land promotion strategy is appropriate.
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