Letter: This Crazy ‘Grey Belt’ March Must Stop

Published on: 31 Aug, 2025
Updated on: 31 Aug, 2025

From Sir Michael Aaronson

In response to: Yet More Green Belt Development Proposed – 200 Homes on Former Farmland

This new housing scheme has everything to do with Taylor Wimpey’s proposed major development in Normandy. Together they would amount to a further significant erosion of the green belt that currently prevents the expanding conurbations of Guildford to the east and Aldershot/Tongham/Ash to the west from merging.

This is not the only one in the pipeline, either: I hope someone will ask Taylor Wimpey whether they have plans to build yet more houses in Tongham as well as in Normandy.

We are all going to be part of an enormous urban agglomeration if this crazy “grey belt” march is allowed to continue.

Our only hope is that Guildford Borough Council will be able to insist that these major developments are considered in the round, in the context of the emerging Local Plan update, rather than being knocked off piecemeal.

Our green belt is precious: once it’s gone, it’s gone!

Responses to Letter: This Crazy ‘Grey Belt’ March Must Stop

Nathan Cassidy Reply

August 31, 2025 at 1:51 pm

I am sure Sir Michael Aaronson was lucky enough to purchase his first home 20-30 years ago when we did not have a housing crisis gripping this country.

If he wants to save the countryside from development he should put his efforts into encouraging high density housing stock within our towns and cities. Unless he is happy with young people remaining priced out of ever owning a home.
Helena Townsend Reply

August 31, 2025 at 5:13 pm

What I find odd is that since the [2019] Local Plan, the only development that has taken place has been in the villages surrounding Guildford. The two most significant schemes – Gosden Hill and Blackwell Farm, arguably the most sustainable and accessible to adjacent infrastructure have not been delivered.

Surely Guildford town should have taken the brunt of new homes before all of these small villages.

Editor’s comment: Since the Local Plan was adopted permission has been granted for 1,700 homes at the former Wisley Airfield. It is reported that development has commenced.
Michael Aaronson Reply

September 7, 2025 at 2:01 pm

Mr Nathan Cassidy might like to read the letter from me published recently:
https://guildford-dragon.com/letter-we-need-a-proper-strategy-for-building-houses-the-nation-needs/
And perhaps take a look at the Normandy Action Group website to understand better why it is important to preserve the Green Belt of today for the young people of tomorrow:
http://www.normandyag.org.uk
Ramsey Nagaty Reply

September 14, 2025 at 2:36 pm

Cllr Helena Townsend is wrong to state Blackwell Farm is sustainable and accessible. The Judicial Review against the decision to include Blackwell Farm was refused by the judge on the basis that an accessible railway station was to be provided. It was later proposed to site far away from the site on the other side of the hospital and bridge at Park Barn but appears to have been dropped as no funds available for a project expected to be paid for by GBC.

Also the A3 was to be widened and junction improvements made, all of which are not forthhcoming.

Before the general election the Labour party gave an example of “grey belt” as derelict petrol stations in the green belt but when in power changed the NPPF [National Planning Policy Framework] to give it a wider scope making it very hard to oppose any proposals to develop in the green belt.

Labour swallowed whole all the developers lobbying. Shameful.

Ramsay Nagaty is the chair of the Guildford Greenbelt Group (GGG).