The race to build new homes in line with Government housing targets is gathering pace.
Land north of Bookhurst Road, Cranleigh, GU6 7DW
Martin Grant Homes Ltd. and Crownhall Estates Ltd. intend to demolish two existing homes, Woodend and Woodend West, and make new access into a cul-de-sac of eleven one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom homes to the north of Bookhurst Road, Cranleigh. No affordable housing is proposed.
The site is close to the humpback roundabout leading to Swallowhurst, the former Swallow Tile works – which made way for new housing.
You can read the details here: Bookhurst Hill document 9227471
The two homes to be demolished originally comprised a larger bungalow, which was later subdivided into two dwellings: Woodend and Woodend West.
In addition to the demolition of the existing homes, there are various other structures across the Site which are proposed to be demolished to accommodate the development, including: • A wooden ‘pool house’ next to the remains of a swimming pool in the west of the Site; • A range of outbuildings in timber and breeze block in the east of the Site; • A small greenhouse and shed lie in the south; and • Wooden stables are located north-west of the Site in Fallowfield’s former garden.
The applicants say they are not required to engage with the local community or planning authority before submitting this application, as it is minor and unlikely to generate significant public interest or have a notable impact on the surrounding area.
Really!
Waverley’s housing land supply going down…and down.
The developer’s position on WBC Housing Land Supply
Under the current NPPF (December 2024), authorities with an adopted plan over five years old are required to demonstrate a supply of specific deliverable sites sufficient to provide a minimum of five years’ worth of housing
WBC’s housing targets are set out within the Local Plan Part 1, adopted over 5 years ago.
WBC’s most recent ‘Five-Year Housing Land Supply Statement’ (April 2024; published November 2024) concludes that the borough has only 2.68 years’ supply, which is considerably short of the target.
The 2022 Housing Delivery Test results show that WBC achieved 139% of its housing targets over the previous three years. However, given the restricted supply, the forward-looking housing delivery approach is problematic.
The new NPPF reintroduces the 5% buffer to be added to the requirement (the Standard Methodology Local Housing Need where the planned housing target is more than 5 years old) and is accompanied by a change to the Standard Methodology. This revised methodology shows an annual increase of 108% for WBC, from 710 dpa to 1,481 dpa. Given that the current total land supply across WBC provides for only 1,998 homes, the updated position, measured against the revised Local Housing Need plus 5% buffer, would be 1.34 years supply.
In summary, the government clearly has a goal of increasing housing delivery across England and within WBC. However, the council cannot currently demonstrate a five-year housing land supply, so the presumption is in favour of granting planning permission.
Since this application was lodged:
The latest supply figure has been published…
On the deck with
1.28 yrs
Inch by inch.
Throughout WBC the scenario is “They say “disgraceful” but they all are busy, quietly taking the money and running”
MM
Looks like a great proposal for me that makes a good use of the space. I hope this one is supported by the Council and determined quickly under delegated powers
Thanks for highlighting these plans! We must all strongly object although it is pointless as Rayner will undoubtedly approve it regardless of the people of Cranleigh. Local democracy is dead and buried!
Sadly, we are highlighting proposed developments all over the borough these days, particularly in Waverley’s so-called VILLAGES, which have insufficient infrastructure.