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The Tandridge district

Although close to London, Tandridge is a large, mainly rural district covering 110 square miles, with a population of about 88,500 and 39,000 properties.  

94% of the land in the district is classified as Green Belt - the highest amount for a local council in the country. Just under a third is open space or woodland, while over half is in agricultural use.

Approximately 70% of the district’s population live in the main northern residential areas of Caterham, Oxted, Warlingham and Whyteleafe which, together, cover about 9% of the Council’s geographical area. The rest live in smaller settlements and villages.

Tandridge has 19 Conservation Areas and around 600 Listed Buildings, of which 20 are recognised as being of Outstanding National Interest and are Grade I listed buildings. 

There are eight sites of Special Scientific Interest, seven Local Nature Reserves and nearly 16% of the area is designated as being either an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or of Great Landscape Value. 

The district is well connected to Surrey, Kent and London by motorways and other main roads, although these are often congested at peak times. Gatwick Airport is to the south west of the area, while Biggin Hill Airport is situated close to the north east. 

Trains run from the district to London Bridge, Waterloo, Charing Cross and Victoria stations, as well as to the Kent and Sussex. 

Photo of Master Park, Oxted

Photo of Houses at Rochester Gardens

Over three quarters of Tandridge residents own their own property, while 11% rent from the Council or a housing association.

There are around 2,580 council properties and just over 600 leaseholders. The number of households in temporary accommodation is increasing due to the cost of living crisis.

The lack of affordable housing and the cost of private rented accommodation in the Tandridge district is a significant challenge for families needing affordable housing options. Because of this, the Council only builds homes to rent and not for home ownership.

The Council works with housing associations, developers and landowners, to build affordable homes which include rented and shared ownership homes.

Quadrant House

There are around 3,000 VAT registered active businesses, ranging from sole traders to multi-national companies. There are over 5,000 micro businesses (0-9 employees).

The Council works closely with the two Business Improvement Districts, in Oxted and Caterham. These organisations aim to promote, support and connect businesses in their areas to work better together, while promoting their towns and what they can offer shoppers and other Tandridge businesses.

There are also strong business partnerships with the Surrey Chambers of Commerce, Federation of Small Businesses and Coast to Capital (formerly the Local Enterprise Partnership).

The Council has strong partnerships with its neighbouring councils, in particular Reigate and Banstead Borough Council.

Voluntary organisations such as Tandridge Citizens Advice Bureau, Caterham Food Bank, Tandridge Voluntary Action and East Surrey Rural Transport are key partners in delivering much needed support to our residents.

There are also good working relationships with parish councils.

We have a strong working relationship with East Surrey College, a further education college which many of our residents attend.