Letter: Opposition is Not Just Nimbyism

Published on: 31 Oct, 2025
Updated on: 30 Oct, 2025

From Roshan Bailey

In response to: Normandy Survey Shows Overwhelming Opposition to Plans for 950 Homes

It is, of course, possible that this is all part of the “Guildershot” master plan.

With all the massive developments around Ash and Tongham (though lacking matching growth in essential support services such as GP surgeries and schools), plus other large scale planning applications eg Shortlands Farm, as well as the increasing emergence of chalets on fields alongside the A323, the merging of Aldershot and Guildford threatens to be only a matter of time.

Is this to satisfy those who sought city status for Guildford? Or maybe the excitement of local government reorganisation is leading to ambitions of creating a metropolis to rival London?

The concept of green belt was introduced for very good reasons and is both wanted and valued by city and town people as well as rural communities such as Normandy.

We all have friends and family who value the green belt as much as we do. Cities and towns need space to breath, and their populations also need somewhere they can visit to draw breath and appreciate space, countryside and nature.

Opposition is not just nimbyism. There are principles at stake, not to mention very real practical issues such as traffic and drainage which are already immensely challenging in Normandy with serious knock on effects in neighbouring villages.

Share This Post