Planning Matters #4 of 2025 

7 July 2025

Dear NAG Follower, 

In this edition: 

·         Taylor Wimpey announces planned major development in Normandy 

·         Wanborough Fields Enforcement Appeal 

·         Local government reorganisation consultation (reminder) 

Taylor Wimpey announces planned major development in Normandy 

On our website and in recent newsletters we have reported on changes to national planning rules, and the likely consequences for the Green Belt in Normandy. In particular, we have flagged the prospect of the imminent reappearance of a proposal for a major development occupying most of the green space between Westwood and Glaziers Lanes, the railway line to the south, and the Guildford Road to the north. This was mooted in 2016 as part of the Local Plan process, was strongly opposed by our community, and was subsequently dropped. 

The proposal is back now with a vengeance. As detailed in an information leaflet that we understand will be delivered to every household in Normandy and on this website, Taylor Wimpey have announced the start of a public consultation in which they will share their vision for our community, if you please, starting with an event on 18 July from 2pm in St Mark’s Church Hall. 

So far only an outline is provided, but as can be seen from the image they have provided, the proposal will involve a major development, removing the core natural greenspace at the heart of our community. This is an area, completely unspoilt, containing Ancient Woodland and directly in the path of a key pollinator “B-Line” migration route. Filling it in with buildings will transform Normandy from a distributed network of five distinct settlements into an urban agglomeration, fundamentally and irrevocably changing the nature of our community and our environment. 

The event on 18 July will be an opportunity to learn more, perhaps. The developer says it will hold a second event in the autumn and submit a planning application, probably in late 2025. We mentioned in our most recent newsletter that we had written to the Minister for Housing and Planning expressing our concern at this potential development. The reply placed considerable emphasis on the importance of the Local Plan process; however, we are no nearer knowing whether Guildford Borough Council will be able to insist on considering Taylor Wimpey’s application within the wider context of the ongoing revision of the Guildford Local Plan. And, as we know, Surrey is also in the throes of a major reorganisation of local government (see below), which only generates further uncertainty about future planning decisions. All in all, this is a very challenging and concerning time for our community.  

Wanborough Fields Enforcement Appeal 

In other news, an Appeal has been lodged against one of the numerous Enforcement Notices relating to unauthorised development at Wanborough Fields. The Appeal documents, which are available here, make interesting reading. We are tracking this Appeal, and will let you know the outcome in due course. 

Local Government Reorganisation Consultation (Reminder) 

A reminder that the full details of the public consultation on the merits of either two or three Unitary Authorities for Surrey are on a portal here The consultation closes on 5 August. The Commonplace website summarises the results of an earlier phase of consultation, the main finding of which was “a clear public mandate for a more locally responsive structure.” This would clearly suggest a preference for the three Unitaries model, as proposed by Guildford Borough Council and 8 other Councils in Surrey.