Has the title handed to “Poor old Cranleigh by Waverley councillors – now passed to “Poor Old Alfold?”
Just months after the Government gave Garden Village status to Dunsfold Park’s new 2,600 home settlement- on Dunsfold Airfield Mark 1. Another Government department gives the go-ahead for a National Aviation Museum (with a 10,000 sq metre building) to set up on its perimeter. You couldn’t make it up – really you couldn’t.
A Museum described by Waverley councillors as “bizarre;” “massive;” “huge;” “enormous.” Hangars more fitting for Heathrow or Gatwick was rejected by local members six months ago.
It beggared belief why Waverley’s head honcho led her planning numpties into recommending approval of the scheme which councillors threw out and that there no highway objections – as vehicles will access the site from the A281 at The Crossway ‘Kamikaze Corner’ junction.
The Appeal to build an 8,000 sq metre warehouse/museum in a green field on a small rural road just a hop, skip and a fence away from the Aerodrome was given the go-ahead this week. Due in part to Waverley planning officers’ recommendation to approve the scheme, but mainly due to Surrey County Council highwaymen raising no objection on traffic grounds. Yet again, the county council numpties have aided an abetted traffic chaos in the small rural village on the Surrey/Sussex border.
Only hours before Inspector S.J Lee announced his decision, Dunsfold Park Limited had been given the go-ahead to build a new access road from the A281 into the airfield site, which would lead to the closure of accesses for traffic onto both Dunsfold Road and Compass Gate, Alfold – and on the other side of the airfield at Stovolds Hill. We can hear you choking on your cornflakes – and our very heartfelt sympathies go out to the small rural village which will soon become a mecca for world-wide aviation enthusiasts. As a new aviation museum of Dunsfold aerodrome’s history has also been included in its Masterplan!
The decision by Government Inspector to allow the Wings Museum’s planning appeal brings to a conclusion a neighbour’s vendetta which has spanned more than 15 years. The decision by Mr Rupert Howell to sell land adjacent to his home at Barnfield may now do exactly what he had hoped for. Affect the homes included on the Dunsfold Park Masterplan. The Inspector recognised his decision that a “significant building” would have a “significant impact” on the area with the loss of trees and rural outlook. He said:
Chocks away for another Dunsfold Museum?
Just WINGS this time no WHEELS – between Alfold and Dunsfold .
Oh Dear…..
I was all in favour of this until I saw the size of it. What sort of Inspector is he? It simply beggars belief that he couldn’t see the impact that this would have on the limited infrastructure we have here. At least if it was on Dunsfold Park traffic would be coming off the A281 (which is bad enough) and not Dunsfold/Alfold Road. I use this road daily to take the hound to Sidney Woods and it is in an appalling state. As you will be aware the promised Foot path towards Compasses Gate has still not materialised – What a Mess!
What sort of Inspector indeed. We might just as well bin the ballot box – and let Governments decide the future of our townsand villages. Not helped of course by our own planning officers who recommended approval, and highways raising no objection.
As for the promised footpath – a footpath already bought and paid for years ago by the Dunsfold developer. Surrey County Council highways should be shamed of themselves. They have trousered the money and not carried out the work.
Once this scheme goes for reserved matters highways will probably demand that this developer provides a footpath and then it can claim the money twice. Yes! What a mess!
Wouldn’t surprise me at all! and today on our trip to Sidney Woods the Mobile Road repair team were out on Dunsfold road “Patching it up” But obviously didn’t fill all the holes – after all they need to have something to do next time they are in the area
Now that this and Dunsfold new “Village” have been approved the precedent is set for more development in the surrounding area. Local farmers must be pleased, as they are now sitting on a goldmine. Any land adjoining the A281 is boosted in value every time these applications get through.
Wouldn’t want to live nearby though, traffic will be dreadful and then is no public transport to speak of (well none that won’t get stuck in traffic).
Once the new town is built we can expect applications for out of town stores etc. on the grounds that it will relive local traffic issues as people won’t have to drive as far to shop!
Yes, what will come next? No doubt the Springbok scheme will come back again, joining the two villages together. Because, after all – there will only be a strip of road between Alfold and Dunsfold. Shame, particuarly in view of the recent resurrection of the Legal & General new North Horsham scheme of another 3,500 new homes, plus a huge number of businesses.
I DO live on the A281 – and it is already a nightmare during rush hours – We cannot open bedroom windows in the summer due to the early morning traffic noise and the bally “Village” hasn’t even been built yet – and let us not forget Compasses Gate is still going to be open to HGV’s for 3 months AFTER the new Access onto the A281 is opened (In case the drivers get CONFUSED and still drive down Dunsfold Road!!)
After that it will still be open to the New Residents and delivery vans etc….I live in hope that as I get older my hearing like my eyes will deteriorate so I won’t notice anymore!!!
I have no doubt Springbok will come back and most likely on the strip bordering Loxwood Road down towards the playing fields, they will probably also go for the New Build to replace the Old extension
As for the Horsham developments – I live in hope that most of the residents will use the Trains that they do actually have rather than schlepping down the A281 – Happy days!