Dear NAG Follower,

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2023. There is a lot to report on, with the biggest issue being the coincidence of two separate threats to the integrity of the open countryside between Guildford and Flexford (see below). In addition, there is an important opportunity to comment on the Government’s proposals on reforms to the planning system.

In this edition:

• Thanks to NPC and SCC for grant funding
• 70 Mobile Homes at Homestead Farm?
• Solar Facility to West of Blackwell Farm
• Update on Other Local Applications
• AONB Proposals Imminent
• Consultation closing on National Planning Policy Framework

Thanks to NPC and SCC for grant funding

As reported in our last newsletter of 2022 we applied both to Normandy Parish Council (NPC) and to Surrey County Council (SCC) for modest funds to enable us to continue to maintain our website and associated webmail facility. We are grateful to both bodies for making grants of £100, which will allow us to continue our service to local residents for the next couple of years at least.

70 Mobile Homes at Homestead Farm?

There is growing concern about the future of the 9-acre greenfield site behind the Wanborough Business Park, known as Homestead Farm. A 2019 application 19/P/00167 to build 11 houses on the site was refused by Guildford planners. However, a subsequent application 20/P/01970 for a Certificate of Lawfulness for Existing Use or Development (CLEUD) was approved despite opposition from local residents and Wanborough Parish Council, and it is understood that the owners of this site are now poised to proceed with the construction of a mobile home park with up to 70 new dwellings in phase 1

This development would represent a major intrusion into the Green Belt within an area designated for possible inclusion in the expanded Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) – see below. The additional traffic generated by 70 new homes, along with pressure on the local infrastructure, would undoubtedly degrade the rural character of West Flexford Lane and the countryside around. A campaign will shortly be launched by local residents to persuade Guildford Planners to take a closer look at the proposal, to review earlier gateway decisions which have paved the way to this situation, and to take steps to prevent inappropriate development of this site. We shall keep you informed of developments and how you might get involved.

Solar Facility to West of Blackwell Farm

As we reported in Planning Matters #4 of 2022 on 9 August 22, the University of Surrey has partnered with SSE Energy Solutions to propose the development of a 12.2 MW solar facility situated on three fields on the University’s land to the west of Guildford. The full planning application 22/P/02178 has now been submitted and the deadline for comments is 1 March.

The issue of solar farms on agricultural land is complex, and we have tried in this article on our website to give a balanced view. To the extent that NAG has a position, it is one of disappointment that the University could not have found a more innovative solution to meeting its renewable energy needs than one that involved planting a large solar farm in such a sensitive location. We appreciate the constraints, but we are bound to look at this in terms of the harm that will be done to the local landscape, and the threat to the openness of the Green Belt in our part of the world from the gradual westward expansion of Guildford

However, we would urge anyone interested in these issues takes to take a look at the documents on the planning website and decide for themselves whether they wish to comment, either for or against the proposal. Our article suggests a good place to start

Update on Other Local Planning Applications

These difficulties notwithstanding, here is an update on some applications on which we have reported in the past:

• 21/P/00456 “To allow permanent occupation of the gypsy pitch on the site: mobile home 1, The Pines, Green Lane East”. This was refused and went to Appeal, which has been successful, with conditions. The land must revert to its original state within three years.

• 21/P/02376 “Provision of an underground electricity cable and external electricity feeder cabinet: Lot 4, Westwood Lane, Wanborough”. Following refusal by GBC, this went to an Appeal, which has now been turned down.

• 22/P/01052 “Certificate of Lawfulness for Existing Use or Development (CLEUD) concerning use of land for agriculture at Plot F, Land east of Wanborough Woods, Westwood Lane, Wanborough”. This has been approved. NB this is not the same as 21/P/01326 on the same site: “The erection of an agricultural storage barn and chicken house together with the retention of the existing boundary fencing and gates”, which is still awaiting decision, and where an Enforcement Notice is in place.

• 22/P/01899 “Reserved Matters application (scale, layout, landscaping, and appearance) for the erection of 28 dwellings on land The Elms Centre, Glaziers Lane, Normandy”. This application provides more detail of the development already approved in principle; it has already attracted comments from local residents.

A reminder that NAG does not try to comment on all planning applications in Normandy, only those that raise wider policy issues. All applications in Normandy go before the Planning Committee of Normandy Parish Council, whose meetings are held in public and whose conclusions are recorded on their website.

AONB Proposals Imminent

Statutory consultation on the proposals emanating from the AONB Boundary Review (see previous newsletters) will start on 7 March. Briefing webinars on the form this will take, and how we can engage, will be held in the first week of March, although specific information about the proposed changes will not be shared then. NAG will participate, and we will report back in our next newsletter. It is worth noting that both Homestead Farm and the proposed site for the solar facility fall within the Wanborough Clayland Inspection Area for the boundary review and are therefore strong candidates for inclusion in the revised AONB

Consultation closing on National Planning Policy Framework

The Government’s consultation on proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) – which contains many proposals that on the face of it respond to long- standing demands from community groups, but which are likely to be strongly resisted by the big developers - runs until 2345 hrs on 2 March. NAG attended a briefing session organised by The Community Planning Alliance, who have provided a suggested response for individuals to send to show their support for the thrust of the proposals and to ask for further strengthening of certain aspects. Please do add your voice if you can