OPPOSITION councillors have claimed Surrey County Council is in the process of planning housing and development across dozens of sites in a ‘secret deal’ with a private sector partner worth more than £1 billion.

The Surrey Opposition Forum, comprising the Lib Dems and Green Party, say the council is currently tendering a contract for a ’joint property joint venture partner’ that could see Surrey, along with a large number of public sector partners, releasing land and vacant sites currently owned by the council and others into the joint vehicle.

The value of the project is estimated to be between £250million and £1.5billion, over a 15-year period with 32 sites currently identified but with potentially 100 more under consideration.

The council has refused to reveal information about potential sites. But using the Freedom of Information Act, opposition councillors have revealed where half of the sites are located – but none have been identified in Farnham or Haslemere.

Surrey’s Lib Dem group leader Hazel Watson and the Green Party’s Jonathan Essex have written to leader David Hodge, urging him to share more information on the proposals with all county councillors.

Mrs Watson said: "While it is good news the council is finally looking at how to better utilise properties that have in some cases been empty for over a decade, the details of this project remain hidden from councillors and residents.

“These plans deserve the highest level of scrutiny and public engagement, which is the exact opposite of the Conservative administration’s approach so far to its management of its own assets and the culture of secrecy which is prevalent at County Hall.”

Mr Essex added: “The council should be managing its land and assets in the best interest of residents.

“I am deeply concerned there is no mention of affordability so far in terms of housing, or whether there is an environmental framework the joint vehicle will be adhering to in terms of ensuring that any future development is sustainable.”

A council spokesman said no decisions had been made, adding the cabinet will discuss the proposed joint property venture at its meeting on Tuesday, October 31.

He said: “As we continue to lose government funding and pressure for services continues to rise our strategy means looking at the properties we own to make sure we are making the best use of it for the taxpayer.”

“Sometimes there is a need for commercial sensitivity to ensure we get the best possible result for residents.”