News From Millmead – Latest Council Round-up

Published on: 25 Apr, 2017
Updated on: 26 Apr, 2017

Protecting The Future of Burpham Court Farm

Council-owned buildings at Burpham Court Farm will be sold for residential use.

And the remaining farmland will “continue to be protected and could be turned into a wetland nature reserve for the community,” according to a GBC statement following a decision made by the council’s Executive committee on April 18.

Burpham Court Farm, off Clay Lane, Guildford.

The lead councillor for asset management, Geoff Davis (Con, Holy Trinity), said: “As well as safeguarding the future of the land for local residents and visitors, we must manage our assets effectively.

“After thoroughly examining all the options available, unfortunately, the farm is not viable as a stand alone business.

“Selling the buildings will bring the vacant properties back into residential use and generate a substantial return for reinvestment in our services.”

The farm, at Clay Lane, which closed in 2009, includes a farmhouse, two cottages, a range of outbuildings and immediate land.

The council reports it has plans for the remaining farmland to become a wetland nature reserve open to the public.

It will be working with The River Wey Catchment Partnership, hosted by Surrey Wildlife Trust and the Wetland and Wildfowl Trust, “to develop a plan to achieve this and connect the site to the Riverside Nature Reserve.”

Council’s New Vision For Improving Recreation and Wildlife Habitats

Guildford Borough Council (GBC) has announced a new countryside vision strategy that is says aims to deliver long-term sustainable management of Guildford’s countryside areas, to provide safe access for recreation, as well as contributing to a network of wildlife habitat that future generations can access and enjoy.

Guildford Borough Council owns Pewley Down.

The strategy was approved at a meeting of the council’s Executive committee on April 18 and also provides a framework to manage its countryside estate, “through development of appropriate plans for sites, and a strategic direction that aligns with national and local priorities. These will support greater partnership working to build a borough and county wide countryside network”.

GBC owns and manages 52 countryside sites covering an area of 800 hectares, which is 2.5% of the borough’s land area.

It also manages approximately 32 km of rural road verges on behalf of Surrey County Council.

Expanded Enforcement Team To Help Keep The Borough Green, Clean and Safe

Littering, fly tipping and other antisocial behaviour will be targeted more closely in future, due to an expanded GBC enforcement team.

New plans are announced to tackle fly tipping.

It will be jointly funded by GBC and the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner and was approved at a meeting of the council’s Executive committee on April 18.

The new team will be responsible for investigating fly tipping on public land, littering, managing Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) and helping tackle antisocial parking around schools.

GBC’s dog warden will also be a member of the team, helping educate dog owners on the health risks of not picking up after their animals and issuing fines.

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