Elmbridge Borough Council has had its request for an extension to rework its draft Local Plan denied.

The authority was asking for 12 to 15 months to readdress the document which includes housing provision.

The Government’s Planning Inspector previously acknowledged a lack of affordable homes in the borough.

She told the council the “exceptional circumstances do exist to warrant an element of green belt release.”

But the council says it was given an unrealistic six-month deadline to address the recommendations provided in her report.

It wanted 15 months to allow for public consultations on any schemes proposed but says this has been denied.