Dear Resident,

Likely you will have seen notices and received literature from a developer regarding a proposed development of 262 houses within the ward (application WA/2018/1239).

My view is that consultation has been minimal and as one of your ward councillors I wanted to provide you with some updates about what is happening, to tell you about our concerns and let you know what you can do to engage and when.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

– The formal consultation period for this application ‪ends Friday 31st August‬.

– Godalming Town Council will consider the application ‪on Thursday 6th September‬ to provide its comments to Waverley Borough Council.

– The Joint Planning Committee of Waverley Borough Council (date to be confirmed) will then formally consider the application and make the decision to grant or to reject planning permission. Waverley will contact anyone who registered an objection or comment.

– If rejected at that stage, the developer could appeal.

OUR CONCERNS FOR THE COMMUNITY

– The density of the site (262 houses) with a high possibility of nearer 500 if and when the adjacent land in Guildford is considered in a future application.

– Significant Impact upon local wildlife and the environment.

– Significant impact on traffic and roads.

– Significant impact upon already-stretched infrastructure.

– Need for truly affordable and social housing (for first time buyers, key workers and locals)

– Need for an integrated community, not two very separate residential areas.

– Design and layout of the scheme.

However:

– Development may benefit local schools such as Green Oak and Rodborough who would likely receive direct infrastructure contributions and increases in pupil numbers.

– Proposed community building could benefit the community as a whole. We have proposed a clinic/dentist or youth centre as some possible uses.

– Increased numbers of residents in the area may (in time) drive other changes – such as increases in public transport provision.

It is important to us that ANY development benefit existing residents, that you have the chance to be heard and that those views are taken seriously by the council.

I want to understand your views and concerns so that I can better represent you as your ward councillor on this extremely important matter.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

– Make sure to have your say on this application via the planning portal on the Waverley Borough Council website or in person at the council offices. Application WA/2018/1239

‪http://planning360.waverley.gov.uk/planning‬

– Attend the meeting of Godalming Town Council ‪on Thursday 6th September at 7pm‬ at the Council Offices. Any questions need to be sent to the Town Council in advance with at least two full working days before the meeting.

‪https://godalming-tc.gov.uk/contact/‬

– You can also do the same for the meeting at Waverley Borough Council when a date is set to formally decide upon this application (likely to be some point in October).

– You can also review the community petition that has been organised in cooperation with other concerned residents and local groups. You may have already seen and signed this, but the aim is to engage as many people in the Ockford Ridge, Eashing and Aarons Hill area as possible in the time remaining.

https://www.change.org/p/waverley-borough-council-ask-waver…

And finally:

Contact your local Liberal Democrat Councillors using the details below, on this or any other issues that are concerning you!

Cllr Paul Follows
‪paul.follows@waverley.gov.uk‬
www.Facebook.com/PaulFollowsGodalming/‬

Cllr Ollie Purkiss
‪Ollie.purkiss@godalming-tc.gov.uk‬
www.Facebook.com/OlliePurkissGodalming‬/