New Burpham Court Farm Nature Reserve Ready Early 2026

Published on: 30 Nov, 2025
Updated on: 30 Nov, 2025

Guildford Borough Council has released details of the work it is undertaking to create a nature reserve at Burpham Court Farm, off Clay Lane, set for completion early next year (2026).

The council says: “This is a key milestone in the Weyside Urban Village regeneration project that will significantly improve biodiversity.”

Aerial view of raised boardwalks under construction at Burpham Court Farm nature reserve. Pictures by Blakedown Landscapes.

It reports footpaths and shallow drainage basins have been constructed, with most of the heavy machinery now moved off site.

Work is is now focused on completing the site’s raised boardwalks.

Raised boardwalk under construction at Burpham Court Farm nature reserve.

Designed to align with Natural England guidelines, the site will “deliver measurable biodiversity improvements, while creating an inviting semi-natural green space for the community to enjoy”.

Preserving and enhancing existing habitats at the site will include: wildflower and meadow grasslands, new native hedgerows, woodland and scrub areas, ponds, ditches and a riverbank environment, as well as wetland features.

It is expected habitats will attract “pollinators, butterflies, amphibians and a variety of bird species (including waders), and improving biodiversity across the River Wey corridor”.

Aerial view of Burpham Court Farm nature reserve with the new Guildford Borough Council depot and new sewage treatment works behind.

Once agricultural land, the site will become a Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG).

Flood alleviation measures have also been put in place, according to the council, “to help to mitigate against the environmental impact of climate change”.

It adds: “The drainage system put in place is designed to keep water within the nature reserve. Creating more shallow basins in the landscape will collect rainwater that can drain away naturally through the ground.”

The car park for visitors under construction at Burpham Court Farm nature reserve.

The reserve will feature a 3.6-kilometre circular walking trail, nearly one-kilometre of boardwalks, providing access for people with mobility issues and families with young children.

The nature reserve is being funded as part of the Weyside Urban Village regeneration scheme. Developer contributions will help to pay for the work.

The Dragon’s most recent story (July 2025) about the Weyside Urban Village: Councillors Hear How the Weyside Urban Village Project Became a Multi-million Risk

And also see The Dragon story: Worplesdon Council’s Offer to Make ‘Horse Field’ a Nature Reserve Rejected by GBC

Responses to New Burpham Court Farm Nature Reserve Ready Early 2026

Jim Allen Reply

November 30, 2025 at 11:32 am

I think the publicity note is misleading. It will not be a “circular” route, but a walk out to the new council depot (not quite from Burpham Court Farm around the edge of the farm fields) and a walk back again. The path from this point along the river bank and across the non existent bridge, back to the car park, has been dropped!

So, if any want a walk past the new sewage works and back again excellent but if you want a walk by the River Wey… sadly that has not materialised. It fails to meet the “SANG” standard due to noise levels on part of the area, and as for bring an increase of extra green space for Weyside Urban Village, it was 100 per cent green before they started. You can’t increase on 100 per cent!

Like the promise of saving the “running river” it is now filed under “history” and lost to development.

The whole publicity process is smoke and mirrors, take a walk from Stoke to Bowers Lock and ask yourself are we improving or destroying our environment?

Personally I don’t think so. Change for changes sake is a very poor excuse to destroy our environment!
Dylan Thomas Reply

March 24, 2026 at 9:47 am

Now it is late March and still not open yet!