New Plans To Convert Tyting Farm Buildings Into Homes With Public Access To Open Space

Published on: 5 Apr, 2014
Updated on: 5 Apr, 2014

The future of derelict farm buildings has been announced with a plan to convert them to homes.

The derelict farm buildings at Tyting Farm.

Tyting Farm is a 47-hectare agricultural site on Halfpenny Lane, reached from Warren Road and One Tree Hill. It is currently owned by Guildford Borough Council.

It says that the project, which is in its early stages, means the council would retain the farm land and improve its use and public access. But under the proposals, the derelict house and outbuildings would be sold with planning permission to convert them to residential homes in keeping with the rural location.

Entrance to Tyting Farm from Halfpenny Lane.

Ward Councillor Sarah Creedy said: “This is an important site within an area of outstanding natural beauty and the green belt. We have thoroughly examined all the options available and continue to listen carefully to the views of local residents and community groups. We wish to safeguard the future of the land, and do so in partnership with all those who live nearby and enjoy access to it”.

In the plan, Guildford Borough Council would make public access to the land adjacent to the farm buildings.

John Rigg, on behalf of the Save Tyting Farm Campaign, said: “The council and community are working hard together to identify an appropriate scale and form of development to protect the tranquillity of the valley while also committing to enhance the farm land designated of great landscape value. We are pleased with progress to date”.

The council has invited local residents and community groups to a meeting to discuss the future of Tyting Farm, on Tuesday, April 8, at 7pm at Albury Village Hall. If you would like to attend register your interest by email to assetdevelopment@guildford.gov.uk or call the council’s asset development manager on 01483 444995.

The proposed conversions would be subject to planning permission.

A section of the redundant farm buildings that may be converted into homes.

Responses to New Plans To Convert Tyting Farm Buildings Into Homes With Public Access To Open Space

Gerald Bland Reply

April 7, 2014 at 12:06 pm

In January 2011 Guildford Borough Council resolved to designate the agricultural land at Tyting Farm as suitable alternative natural green space (SANG) so as to allow a further 2,350 dwellings to be built within 5km of the special protection area (SPA).

It’s significant that the council’s press release is silent about the SANG designation without which the council might be in difficulty persuading the Local planning inspector that its core strategy is deliverable and sound.

So with the cCouncil having yet to announce its housing numbers and preferred sites there must be continuing concern that the Tyting Farm SANG designation will be used to deliver new homes on or near Merrow and Pewley Downs.

It’s right to flag up these concerns when the community remain in ignorance about how the widely discredited SPA policy (which expires next year) will be reworked in the council’s yet to be published community infrastructure levy proposals as well as where those 2,350 new homes will be built.
Anne Wright Reply

April 8, 2014 at 9:45 pm

The whole area including Pewley Down chalk grassland and the Chantries ancient woodland is extremely valuable for nature conservation and home to many rare species.
Please press the Government through MP Anne Milton to look at the number of empty properties in Guildford, owned by people abroad.
Apparently taxation could lead to more properties coming on to the market to assist housing needs.
It would be criminal to build on this land, which, with increasing population,may be needed for food production in the future.