Letter: Please Sign Petition To Council Over Land Changes At Wanborough Fields

Published on: 23 Jan, 2018
Updated on: 23 Jan, 2018

From Peta Malthouse

I thought to make readers aware of widespread concern in Wanborough and the parishes either side of the Hog’s Back.

During the latter part of 2017 drivers and other may have noticed the “for sale” signs showing that farmland to the north of the Hog’s Back close to Blackwell Farm were being marketed as a whole or in lots.

On looking at the website one could see the land was being marketed for potential development. All of the land is an area of great landscape value (AGLV) and was recommended some two years ago for re-designation as an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB). Natural England have promised to review it in 2018.

The AGLV registration was to reflect the fact of it being “the rolling farmlands” and the fields concerned are the largest block of unfenced high grade agricultural farmland in Surrey.

It is part of quite simply one of the most beautiful views in Surrey. North from the Hog’s Back it offers unobstructed views towards London and elsewhere.

It appears there is no protection in place which would allow Guildford Borough Council to have a say on how land is fenced and what buildings are erected and where.

This is because in order to do so the would need to be something called an Article 4 Direction put in place. I have contacted my councillor, David Bilbe, who has referred me to Cllr Tony Rooth in whose area the land is situated. In the meantime we have heard of the efforts of the Wanborough residents.

On December 15, the council’s planning director, Tracey Coleman, told Cllr Tony Rooth, she would not recommend an Article 4 Direction to the planning committee. She made her decision despite the wishes of Wanborough residents, a request for Article 4 from the Surrey Hills AONB and a review by one of her own enforcement officers.

Meanwhile, the lower field running along Westwood Lane is being sold off by Vantage Land in up to 14 separate lots, and in the 20-acre field all but two of the seven lots are sold.

The very first occupant of a plot has fenced their 2.21 acres and constructed substantial stabling for seven horses. Vehicles are already to be seen daily in the entrance layby to the field. That is only the beginning.

An Article 4 Direction removes “permitted development” from agricultural land such as Wanborough Fields. It means that new “paddock” landowners would have to apply for planning permission to erect fences, lay down hard-standing and allow activities such as car boot sales or clay shoots to operate on their land

These additional powers would at least give the borough council some means of protecting the views, and I understand that other local authorities in Surrey who are faced with similar problems have have opted for this power.

After all, those who purchased the land would or should have been aware of the reason for its designation.

Wanborough Residents have started a petition calling on “Guildford Borough Council to grant an Article 4 Direction on some 250 acres of agricultural Green Belt land in Wanborough, that is additionally designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty/Area of Great Landscape Value, stretching from the Hog’s Back down to Westwood Lane and along towards Christmas Pie”.

Please sign and persuade anyone living or working in Guildford borough to do so as well: your partners, adult children, relatives, friends, colleagues and neighbours. We need  500 signatures.

Please click to register on Guildford Borough Council’s e-petition website here: http://www2.guildford.gov.uk/councilmeetings/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?id=15.

When you’ve registered, click the link again to sign. For information, the petition is called “Wanborough Fields”.

Those of you who are registered to comment on planning applications will find you may need to re-register in order to vote, using a different password.

However, I do have to ask why the present planning officer feels it is “all right” to refuse the request of Cllr Rooth to raise this with the committee, given the support she has so far been made aware of.

GBC was invited to comment on this letter. No response has been received.

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