Wates wants to Wing its way to Waverley to join the merry band of builders eager to concrete over more Alfold farmland with 70 homes, despite the villagers’ outcry against it.
The cash register’s about to go Kerching once again for village farmers once Bridian Farmhouse is demolished in Sachel Court Drive. Or, in the case of Care Ashore, formerly The Merchant Seaman’s War Memorial Society, building just up the road for its charity.
Wates wants to join the long line of developers, including Bellway Homes, Cala Homes, Vistry Homes, Antler Homes, Thakeham Homes, and Abri Homes—could Sherlock be next?
Suffice it to say anyone who wants to build homes has their eagle eyes on Alfold—a once-little rural village on the Surrey/Sussex border that has been sacrificed on the altar of numerous Government Inspectors. Only a handful of houses have been allowed by Waverley Planners, despite the protestations of its MP Jeremy Hunt, who regularly blames Waverley for the overdevelopment of a village with little or no amenities.
https://planning360.waverley.gov.uk:4443/w2webparts/Resource/Civica/Handler.ashx/Doc/pagestream?cd=inline&pdf=true&docno=9261782
Wates says it is consulting with Southern Water about flooding and water issues. However, Thames Water is the responsible authority!
In February, a leaflet containing a feedback form was mailed to 402 properties. A sample of the feedback received from the public consultation can be viewed here. The developer revealed an example in its submission document. No names, no pack drill.
“Dear Sirs
Having received a notification of public consultation by post I am writing to express my objection to the development of up to 80 new homes on the aforementioned site. Alfold is a small village with very limited amenities and an infrastructure already groaning under the weight of the number of new developments that have sprung up in recent years. This is evidenced by the well publicised issues with sewage in the area in recent weeks. Any further developments will only exacerbate the issues more seriously not to mention the loss of green space in the area home to many endangered creatures such as owls and bats. And don’t get me started on the additional strains more development will place on the already horrendous A281 into Guildford. No more houses for Alfold thank you. I shall be strongly objecting to this development and any others that are put forward. Protect our villages!”
The Applicant claims it has endeavoured to conduct a consultation process to ensure the locals are properly informed of its Land West of Loxwood Road plans with access into Satchel our Drive. The site adjoins a huge acreage on which Thakeham Homes has an option and where it intends to build another 400 homes. Or, more likely, flog off to another developer as it did previously following its successful appeal
Wates says the following key themes were present throughout the feedback received:
Lack of amenities and overdevelopment: Comments raised concerns regarding the very limited amenities in Alfold despite the many new development proposals in recent years. Public transport: Some respondents commented on the lack of an active bus route through the village, with limited connectivity to key services and facilities. Sewage and drainage capacity and flood risk:
Respondents commented that the existing sewage and drainage network is currently at capacity and cannot cope with any further development in Alfold. Furthermore, it was noted that there are frequent flooding issues in the village, which may be exacerbated by further growth. Local infrastructure: Several respondents commented that the infrastructure in and around Alfold cannot cope with the current population, with specific reference to a lack of schools, GP surgery and shops, which may be made worse by additional development in the village. Traffic and access: Respondents claimed traffic through the village is already challenging.
Public transport: Some respondents commented on the lack of an active bus route through the village, with limited connectivity to key services and facilities. Sewage and drainage capacity and flood risk: Respondents commented that the existing sewage and drainage network is currently at capacity and cannot cope with any further development in Alfold. Furthermore, it was noted that there are frequent flooding issues in the village, which may be exacerbated by additional development.
Local infrastructure: Several respondents commented that the infrastructure in and around Alfold cannot cope with the current population, with specific reference to a lack of schools, GP surgery and shops, which may be made worse by additional development in the village. Traffic and access: Respondents claimed traffic through the village is challenging and would worsen with additional cars on the road network. In addition, one comment noted the entrance to the site cannot be via Sachel Court Drive as it is too close to Sweeters Field Road, which is too close to the blind corner on Loxwood Road eastbound.
The proposed housing density is in keeping with the other recent consents within the village. Lack of amenities As mentioned by the Inspector in the Appeal reference APP/R3650/W/21/3278196, Alfold has a reasonable range of services and facilities. Between Alfold & Alfold Crossways is a petrol and associated shop (M&S), a café & deli selling local groceries (The Alfold Larder), a post office, a local sports/ football club, a veterinary surgery and a small business centre. Compliance with the Alfold Neighbourhood Plan (January 2024) The Alfold Neighbourhood Plan fails to allocate any sites for new development. Waverley Borough Council, however, has a 1.28 Housing Land Supply and, as referenced in the supporting Planning Statement, is significantly undersupplying on affordable housing. The proposal will allow for deliverable housing.
A pre-development foul water capacity check has been undertaken with Southern Water, and Wates continues to work with them to understand the extent of the capacity shortfall and the steps Southern Water will take to reinforce its infrastructure. As per the supporting Flood Risk Assessment, the on-site sustainable drainage system (SuDs) will ensure surface water does not contribute to flooding within the village. This report also shows the site does not fall within an area of flood risk. Local infrastructure The planning application submission will contribute over £2 million to Waverley Borough Council in the form of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). The Council can spend this money at its discretion to invest in local infrastructure. There will also be S106 contributions that will likely provide further investment into local infrastructure improvements.
BEFORE
AFTER
Southern Water….. Is that like the supplementary comments for Dunsfold New Town, years ago? They wrote that there wouldn’t be an increase in traffic due to the builders driving to the site; they’d take the TRAIN to Cranleigh and would be bussed in from there.
Such accurate information; clearly those builders can be wholly relied upon.
Of course every developer lies ( through a consultant) to the planners / Inspector / public. They get away with it because planners / County Highways are so incompetent / gullible that they accept every word without checking. So next time they’ll pay a consultant to say the same thing again. Why wouldn’t they? Everyone does it.
The past record of lies is there:
Leithfield Park – promised a bus service – never happened.
Wings Museum Dunsfold – falsified traffic survey/ location plans/ internal designs and stated visitors using public transport would be same as if ‘Museum was located in centre of Godalming’.
Dunsfold Garden Village met none of the green requirements/ transport infrastructure criteria to be designated Garden Village. Consultants stated 83% of 4000+ residents would commute but use buses ( that didn’t exist) or cycles or the canal and only 1 extra car per minute on the rural road to the nearest station.
Milford Golf Course (first bit) – stated future development in Cranleigh/Alfold/Dunsfold would have no impact on traffic numbers at Milford .
All obvious lies yet weren’t questioned by planners/ Highways. The list goes on…
You are absolutely right. I agree with you! It is a sign of the times we are living in I am afraid……………
The “Consultation” with local residents was no more than an Email Address alfoldconsultation@cratus.co.uk or a FREEPOST – CRATUS COMMUNICATIONS. There was NO Feedback Form, so residents had to list their Objections via email (Many of which “Bounced Back”)
These Developers are like Vultures in Alfold. They know WBC doesn’t have a 5 YHLS and that Alfold has no protections from the Metropolitan Greenbelt. AONB or other designation that warrants any mention. COUNTRYSIDE Beyond the Greenbelt means Nothing to anyone any more.
They talk about NEW NEIGHBOURHOODS like Alfold isn’t even a Village and they are tagging on these New Settlements that will be able to enjoy all the benefits of living here with no Amenities, No Infrastructure and no Health or Educational facilities.
They are offering 21 “Affordable” Homes in a village that already has almost 200 “Affordable” Homes Granted, so we will be drawing in residents from all over the Borough and beyond.. Who may already be in Employment in some of the Towns in the area… they will have to Drive to work – as we all know that cycling on the A281 is taking your life in your hands and is not a suitable means of transport for Work or any other day to day requirements…..and so it goes on & on… and on….