On 18 April, following numerous representations from members of the public, Normandy Parish Council, and Normandy's Borough Councillors, Guildford Borough Council (GBC) officers acting under their delegated powers issued an Article 4 Direction regarding the agricultural land lying to the west of Bailes Lane, Normandy, GU3 2BA.

An Article 4 removes 'permitted development rights' that would normally obtain on agricultural land, in this case so-called 'minor operations' eg gates, fences, walls etc, and 'temporary buildings and uses'. It means that the new owners of the land would have to seek planning permission before putting up any such structures or seeking to make temporary, non-agricultural, use of the land. The Direction remains in force for six months only, unless it is confirmed by the full Council in the meantime.

Our newsletter of 14 April gave the background to this affair. Local residents were concerned that without the protection of the Article 4 we could see a repeat of the inappropriate development that has taken place at nearby Wanborough Fields. Although an Article 4 was made there in February 2018, and confirmed in July 2018, it was only after a number of inappropriate structures had started appearing - and an Article 4 is not retrospective, so GBC have been playing catch-up ever since. It is therefore very good news that the Direction has been made good and early this time around, and it is important that it be made permanent as soon as possible.

On 16 April NAG launched a Petition on the GBC website calling for an Article 4 Direction to be made. Within 48 hours it had attracted nearly 100 signatures. The Petition remains open and we urge people to sign it, to show support for the Direction to be made permanent. Many thanks to all who have responded by signing it already.