Here at the Waverley Web, we didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at a developer’s latest ruse to swamp Alfold with more homes.
Housebuilder Thakeham has invited residents of Alfold and the surrounding area to have their say on the infrastructure they would like to see delivered as part of future proposals for new homes in the village.
The downright gall of some developers is difficult to comprehend. Thakeham built homes in nearby Loxwood and promised a shop – which has never materialised.
The Horsham-based developer, which is now building 99 homes in Loxwood Rod, Alfold – has recently attempted to save the CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy and the £400,000 for a demand-led bus service it promised villagers at the Alfold appeal. Did Surrey or Waverley ever get the cash?
Now, as it has always intended, having lost an earlier appeal for 450 homes on the same site in Loxwood Road, and with a foot firmly in the door, it claims to know what infrastructure villagers want.
WHAT VILLAGERS WANT!
WHAT THEY WANT IS FOR ALL-YOU-GET-RICH QUICK WALLERS TO BUGGER OFF AND BUILD SOMEWHERE WHERE THERE ARE EXISTING FACILITIES. NOT ASK WHAT INFRASTRUCTURE THEY WANT AND WON’T GET!
They know that you are hedging your bets on Dunsfold Aerodrome, providing the infrastructure that Alfold will need in the future, like electricity, drainage water, sewage treatment, medical facilities and a school.
The devious developer has asked this in leaflets flying like confetti around the village.
Feedback received by housebuilder and community creator, during a public consultation in the summer of 2022 showed residents felt the level of housebuilding in the village was not being supported by the necessary infrastructure.
Thakeham subsequently paused its application and has now invited residents to attend roundtable sessions to discuss how a cohesive plan for the site, which would deliver net zero carbon homes and genuine infrastructure-led benefits for existing and future residents of Alfold, could be created
Tristan Robinson, Director of External Affairs and Social Value, said:
“We want to bring forward a scheme that really benefits the community, and it became clear during previous public consultations that, when it comes to new homes in Alfold, the approach needed to change. We welcome the input of the local community and are committed to working with them to support the delivery of new infrastructure and the community benefits they want and need.”
To discuss in person what infrastructure is needed in the village and how this could be delivered on the site, residents are asked to sign up in advance for one of the various time slots available across 9th, 11th, and 13th December. The sessions on the 9th and 11th will take place at Alfold Crossways Village Hall, Dunsfold Road, Alfold Crossways GU6 8JB, and the sessions on the 13th will be online.
For more information and to register for a roundtable session with the project team, please visit www.thakeham.com/alfold. Alternatively, the project team can be contacted on 07778 665906 or alfold@thakeham.com.
More likely a straightforward ruse regarding Alfold than anything else. Dunsfold is another matter altogether. Alfold needs everything and on the spot, The recent Milford development went through with a new medical centre. The developer should be offering a subsidised regular seven day week early to late, bus service to Guildford for the next ten years. It would be a start.
At least that way the locals can access services.
Thank you for your observation MM, no doubt Alfold residents can dream on… and on…
Thank you, this sums up the abuse Waverley has suffered at the hands of the developers over the past 20 years. “WHAT THEY WANT IS FOR ALL-YOU-GET-RICH QUICK WALLERS TO BUGGER OFF AND BUILD SOMEWHERE WHERE THERE ARE EXISTING FACILITIES. NOT ASK WHAT INFRASTRUCTURE THEY WANT AND WON’T GET!” Developers know a soft target when they see one. Hopefully all development dwellings completed under the local plan when verified can demonstrate that they meet the must have climate change requirement of a water consumption of 110 litres per person per day. It is good to see that Farnham’s Woolmead demonstrates how quickly development can take place when developers are given all the concessions that they demand. Why knock it down in the first place?