Planning Matters #6 of 2024

4 December 2024

Dear NAG Follower,

There is not a great deal to report since our previous newsletter, but we wanted to make you aware that the final round of consultation on the Surrey Hills AONB (now National Landscape) boundary extension closes on 10 December, and that there is one element within it concerning Normandy on which you may wish to comment.

Solar Farm Application Approved

But first we can report that, at its meeting on 6 November, Guildford Borough Council’s Planning Committee approved the application 24/P/00441 to build a solar farm on Green Belt/prospective National Landscape land to the west of Blackwell Farm. It was not an inspiring debate, with little reference to the 101 objections to the scheme (out of a total of 102 public comments); the outcome was somehow predictable. Future generations will, in 35 years’ time, have an opportunity to return this sensitive landscape to agricultural use.

Final Round of AONB/National Landscape Consultation

In our September newsletter we informed you of the final round of consultation on the Surrey Hills AONB/National Landscape Review. We pointed out that this related principally to a proposed new area in East Hampshire, but we had missed the fact that there was one aspect of the revised proposals that related to Normandy/Flexford, for which our apologies.

A small area of land in Flexford that was originally proposed for inclusion has been removed. You can see the area, which is D3, on the map here, which is part of the consultation page here (on the latter, scroll down to the link to Fig 14a (Hog’s Back). As far as we can see, the rationale for the removal (which you can see on pp 18 and 19 of Table 14 on the consultation page) is:

“Natural England acknowledges the presence of a minor watercourse along the track leading to Chimney Farm and the cultural association of the medieval flax industry in this area. Natural England also notes the presence of the Little Flexford Site of Nature Conservation Importance. Nevertheless, Natural England remains of the view that within the transitional landscape, the boundary should be drawn further to the south. Natural England has reviewed the boundary definition in this area and has concluded that West Flexford Road would make a more robust boundary within the transition, excluding more recent housing on the edge of the settlement, whilst still including West Flexford House, listed building, and its farm buildings.”

Ironically, this was in response to a comment asking that the boundary be extended further in this area; instead they have shrunk it. Our view is that while this is not a big deal in the overall scheme of things, it is still a shame that the original area proposed has been reduced in size. We would have been happier had Natural England opted for the railway line as the AONB boundary, and thereby included Little Flexford and the fields to the east of it. We understand that this matter will be mentioned at the meeting of Normandy Parish Council tomorrow night, 5 December.

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