Residents in Stoneleigh and Auriol: Neighbourhood Plan Referendum – 12 February 2026
In June 2025, the Stoneleigh and Auriol Neighbourhood Forum produced a Neighbourhood Plan to shape planning policies and guide developments for the Stoneleigh and Auriol neighbourhood areas for 2025-2029. Following two rounds of public consultation, an independent examination took place. In December 2025, our Licensing and Planning Policy Committee agreed to the independent Examiner’s proposed modifications to the Stoneleigh and Auriol Neighbourhood Plan.
Residents in Stoneleigh and Auriol are invited to take part in the Referendum on Thursday 12 February. Polling hours are between 7am to 10pm.
The Stoneleigh and Auriol Neighbourhood Plan referendum asks the question: “Do you want Epsom and Ewell Borough Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Stoneleigh and Auriol to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”
Registering to vote
Residents are entitled to vote in the referendum on 12 February 2026 if:
- they are entitled to vote in a local government election in the referendum area; and
- their qualifying address for the election is in the referendum area.
Note: A person’s qualifying address is, in relation to a person registered in the register of electors, the address in respect of which he or she is entitled to be registered.
Poll cards for those eligible to vote in this referendum
Those residents already entitled to vote should have received a polling card – anybody who has registered after 5 January 2026 will receive their polling card around 30 January 2026. The card provides information about polling hours and address of the polling station.
Postal and proxy voting for those eligible to vote in this referendum
If you are not able to vote in person on 12 February 2026 you can either have a postal vote or appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf. Information on how to apply for postal and proxy votes is available here - Who can vote and how?
- The deadline for postal vote applications is 5pm on Wednesday, 28 January 2026.
- The deadline to appoint a proxy is by no later than 5pm, Wednesday, 4 February 2026.
Voter ID
It is now a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting in person at a polling station at elections. Information on what photo ID is accepted and how to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate can be found here - Voter ID at Elections. The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate is 5pm, Wednesday, 4 February 2026.
More information can be found here:
The impact of Local Government Reorganisation in Neighbourhood Planning across East Surrey
The Government has confirmed its final decision on the future of local government in Surrey, approving a move to a two-unitary model. This means that, from April 2027, the current county, district, and borough councils will be replaced by two new unitary authorities, East Surrey and West Surrey, responsible for all local services.
It is understood that Neighbourhood Plans that have been ‘made’ (formally adopted) will continue to apply. This means that if the Stoneleigh and Auriol Neighbourhood Plan receives a positive referendum result and is then formally adopted by Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, it will continue to be used when making planning decisions—even after the new East Surrey Council is created. The amount of weight given to any Neighbourhood Plan in decision‑making will depend on how closely it aligns with the adopted Local Plan, any adopted Spatial Development Strategy, and national planning policy.
