Conservationists Celebrate Victory As Fast-food Plan At Nature Reserve Is Turned Down

Published on: 10 Jul, 2025
Updated on: 10 Jul, 2025

Tice’s Meadow – a much-loved haven for wildlife

By David Reading

The McDonald’s fast food chain has been refused planning permission to open a drive-through restaurant on the edge of the Tice’s Meadow nature reserve, between Tongham and Badshot Lea.

Wildlife conservationists said today (July 10) that they were delighted that the project had been turned down by Guildford Borough Council, calling it “a great result for nature and the environment”.

The Tice’s Meadow Bird Group (TMBG) had raised major concerns about the impact the development might have on protected species and habitats in the nature reserve.

They raised specific worries about the increase in traffic, highway safety, light pollution, noise pollution, litter, and smells.

A GBC council planning document said McDonald’s had failed to provide sufficient information to assess the impact on protected species and whether harm to protected species and habitats could be reduced.

The site falls within the Tongham Services on the junction of the A31 and A331, which already accommodates a number of food outlets including Leon, Subway and Starbucks.

After hearing the news of GBC’s decision the TMBG issued a statement saying: “We are absolutely delighted with the result, which has been entirely due to the great support from our local community, local councillors and MPs as well as organisations such as the Environment Agency. This is a great result for nature and the environment.”

More than 180 objections to the plans were submitted, while eight submissions were made in support.

The Guildford Dragon NEWS reported just over a year ago that more than 5,500 people had signed the petition launched by the TMBG to protest against the plans.

At that time the TMBG said: “We are calling on our local elected officials to listen to their residents’ concerns and stand up for nature by objecting to this highly inappropriate development in the middle of a regionally important Site of Nature Conservation Interest.”

A little egret taking off at at Tice’s Meadow. Malcolm Fincham

Tice’s Meadow is a community-led nature reserve on the site of the former Farnham Quarry, covering 150 acres. The habitats on site consist of a mosaic of open water, gravel islands and scrapes, reed beds, scrub, woodland, ephemeral ponds and wet and dry grassland.

The site is designated a Site of Nature Conservation Interest, and is registered as an Asset of Community Value with both Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils.

The site was bought by Surrey County Council in December 2021, with funding from Hampshire County Council, Guildford Borough Council, Rushmoor Borough Council, Waverley Borough Council, and Farnham Town Council.

Share This Post