Farnham residents are piling in to object to a developer’s bid to build on a treasured area of woodland known as Burnt Hill Wood West.
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Planning Application WA/2025/00971 – Valid From 16/05/2025
TWO PARCELS OF LAND SEPARATED BY BURNT HILL ROAD in WRECCLESHAM, FARNHAMA developer wants to build seven dwellings with vehicular access amenity space car and cycle parking and associated works.
WA/2025/00971
Here’s what the areas Conservation Group says:
Although the vast majority of the work of The Bourne Conservation Group is of a practical nature it does occasionally comment on planning applications which are considered likely to damage the local environment.
This proposal to build 7 houses on open spaces adjacent to a choke point in The Bourne Valley comes within this category.
It is a site that we are very familiar with because we have worked many times for Waverley Borough Council in the nearby patch of woodland known as Burnt Hill Wood West and also for Surrey County Council on local footpaths such as Celery Lane.
The opposition of The Bourne Conservation Group to this application
- It will affect the biodiversity of the immediate area
- Obstruct the existing vital green corridor across South Farnham
- Increase traffic congestion at a difficult point on Burnt Hill Road.
We also draw attention to a literary connection with the site that confirms its longer term biodiversity content.
*These objections will now be addressed in more detail.
Adverse Effect on Biodiversity
In The Bourne valley the mix of steep wooded slopes and open spaces supports a significant population of plant and animal species which are dismissed in this application as “common,” a description that misses the point that, at a time of a Climate Emergency, all species are of importance. Moreover, whatever species thatare present here contribute to the overall rich biodiversity of Farnham as a whole because of the wide variety of habitats that are present.
The application also describes the site as of “limited ecological value.” This view is likely to have been influenced by the fact that the Ecological Survey was carried out in December 2024, a time hardly likely to produce optimum results. We also believe it is a wrong assessment because the grassland open spaces in the valley are essential to aerial and land species for foraging away from the wooded slopes.
There is historical evidence of the value of these two fields in the writing of noted naturalist, Brian Vesey-Fitzgerald who describes in his book of 1977, “Town Fox Country Fox”, how he was able to observe wildlife in the Valley from the very slopes which form part of this application. He subsequently purchased and lived in the neighbouring property called Little Twynax
because of its attractive position in the valley.
Obstruction of South Farnham Green Corridor.
Farnham is now a growing town of well over 40,000 people which represents a potential barrier to the passage of wildlife. Fortunately, however, there are many green spaces both within its boundary and around it which, together with a number of natural corridors, provide support for wildlife and facilitate movement. In a study carried out by the Surrey Wildlife Trust in 2018 The Bourne Valley was recognised as a vital corridor through the urban environment of South Farnham. This is still the case today and strenuous efforts are being made by Councils and volunteer groups to conserve the trees, hedgerows and green spaces to maintain this corridor which is a link between the Surrey Hills in the East and Alice Holt Forest in the West.
Increased Traffic Congestion
Access to the proposed seven properties is from Lodge Hill Road at a point constricted to a single vehicle lane by the combination of a tight corner and the
bridge over the stream. It is already a choke point even though only two properties access the road here.
We believe it is an unsuitable point at which to add the additional traffic generated by the householders of the 7 new properties and their associated service traffic which will inevitably include some large vehicles.
Conclusion
Because of the combination of adverse environmental and traffic factors noted above we lodge a strong objection to this application.
Noel Moss
Chairman
Another resident says:
Just saw this recently, really shocking. If this goes ahead not only is the loss of this little valley huge, but this will be extremely dangerous for kids walking to Weydon.The bottom of Burnt Hill road near the bridge is *already* extremely dangerous for these kids, but the combination of no pavements plus giant construction trucks (probably rolling down the hill at 8am, same time as the kids) for what, the next 2-3+ years is genuinely concerning.