GBC Returns to Square One to Rethink Chantries Campsite Plan

Published on: 27 Nov, 2019
Updated on: 28 Nov, 2019

Chantries Camp Site

The consultation on the future of Chantry Wood is to be halted, reviewed, and restarted, Guildford Borough Council was told by leader Caroline Reeves at last night’s (November 26) Executive meeting.

GBC plans for a money-making lease of the Chantry Woods campsite collapsed in March after criticism from angry residents, made face-to-face in the council chamber.

At the time, the Conservative-ruled Executive, with a local election looming, was forced to agree any decision would be postponed for a year to allow further consideration and proper public consultation. But it seems the protesters had little confidence in that.

Cllr Caroline Reeves

Cllr Reeves (Lib Dem, Friary & St Nicolas) said: “After talking with Pauline Searle, the lead for Countryside and Rural Life, and Peter O’Connell, director of Environment, we have agreed to consider all the responses to the public consultation for Chantry Woods campsite.

“We will then stop the process, review the situation and start again to find a way of assessing the feasibility of what different residents and groups actually want.”

Cllr Pauline Searle

Cllr Searle (Lib Dem, Stoughton) added: “There has been disquiet over the consultation and a number of people have been in touch to say the options provided are not what the community wants. By starting the process again we can try to resolve these problems.”

Cllr John Redpath (Holy Trinity), of the Residents for Guildford and Villages group, said: “I’m naturally very pleased with this decision, having had meetings this year with users of the campsite as well as those concerned about its future and the future of Chantry Woods.

Cllr John Redpath

“I’m sure everyone will be glad there is now an opportunity for us to offer a solution that will, hopefully, work for both the council and the users of the site.

“It’s also good that, at six months in, the Lib Dem administration is finally showing the grassroots of leadership and managing to break away from some of the poor decisions made by the previous administration.

“I only hope this will continue outside the [General Election] purdah period because there are still many issues that need to be addressed outside the political game.”

Cllr Susan Parker

And Cllr Susan Parker (Send), leader of Guildford Greenbelt Group, added: “I’m delighted there has been a pause in prospective over-development anywhere in Guildford. This is a success for many local residents, including R4GV councillors, who have campaigned so hard to stop the development of the forest school there.

“The Chantries are a precious area around Guildford which should be protected, and it is important to listen to the community when it comes to prospective development.

“I’m really pleased about this review. The Chantries are not the only area with iconic views where it would be good to see a pause in over-development, and where the local community has been ignored.

“Can we have the same consideration applied elsewhere, too, please?”

See also: Council Has Displayed Sheer Incompetence Over Chantries Campsite

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