GBC have released the latest part of their Green Belt and Countryside study.
It Includes a 7 page analysis [7mb .pdf download] of whether Three Farms Meadows (the former Wisley Airfield) is suitable as a Potential Major Development Area (PMDA) of around 4,000 people.
Their conclusion is that it does – if they use the limits set out in the map above. This means they will absorb Bridge End Farm and all properties down onto that part of Ockham Lane – which will require the purchase of additional land.
WAG has a number of objections to the conclusions here. Most notably..
1. The air quality is already so poor that the nearest sensor to the site is in breach of EU limits which not only affects human health but also affects the SPA protected heathland and the plants at the RHS.
2. The development is not sustainable because the roads are already clogged up so the idea of providing buses to jobs in Guildford an unrealistic option, and narrow local roads can’t handle more cars
More broadly, there’s a huge effort in this document to argue that a settlement would not interfere with a number of the purposes of the Green Belt. Which misses the point. It is Green Belt. Buildling on it, is taking away the Green Belt. There is plenty of land in the urban area which can accommodate large numbers of dwellings, but despite the city centre being in desperate need to regeneration GBC continues to want to ruin the countryside.
Its a depressing fact of our times that all governments will tell the public what they think it wants to hear to gain power but once there, those that gave them the opportunity to represent them are ignored and big business becomes their new best friend.
Clearly the Three Meadows Farm site has become a money making vehicle for some of ‘call me Dave’s’ new friends who are preparing to pretty ruthlessly exploit it by all means possible. There is not a shred of evidence that any consideration is being given to the sites current status as a public/nature venue.
Does Guildford need a new town? I’ve never heard anyone from anywhere ever mention it.
If it does are there any other options for development? Plenty but none owned by RAB so not considered.
What are the benefits of a new town to the local area? There are none as an infrastructure will have to be provided on site and development profits will be hidden offshore.
In other words, local wants and requirements are being trampled to accommodate a profit making project that will ruin the area for ever and line the pockets of big business.
Its a perfect example of the electorates priorities come way, way below that of big business once the voting’s over.
It stinks.