Normandy Survey Shows Overwhelming Opposition to Plans for 950 Homes

Published on: 21 Oct, 2025
Updated on: 21 Oct, 2025

The land that Normandy people are fighting to save

By David Reading

The Normandy Action Group is claiming overwhelming support for its opposition to housing plans by Taylor Wimpey, following a survey among residents carried out in September.

The development company is hoping to build 950 homes on farmland between Normandy and Flexford.

A formal planning application has not yet been submitted, and the scheme is still in its early design stages, but if approved it would see Normandy village almost double in size.

Throughout September people on the action group’s mailing list were asked to complete an online questionnaire.

The main question they were asked was: In principle, would you be for or against several hundred homes being built on this site?

The site in question lies between Glaziers Lane and Westwood Lane, the railway line, and the A323 Guildford Road.

The survey drew 336 responses and the action group says the results were clear-cut – with 317 against, 18 undecided and one in favour.

Reasons for opposition included:

• Fears about the destruction of Normandy’s character
• Additional strain on local services such as health
• Loss of historic green space at the heart of the village
• Habitat and biodiversity loss
• Lack of faith in promises of infrastructure improvements
• Increased risk of flooding

Some of the 18 people in the undecided group said they were waiting to see more details from the developer.

In that group there were comments that a much smaller development might be acceptable – one that had greatly reduced numbers, respected the green belt and Normandy’s historic character, and was of a size, location, and design that reflected the village’s established small scale and low density.

The person who voted yes to the proposals said they would “improve a very outdated village that has had no new development”. It is understood this person no longer lives in the village.

The Chair of the Normandy Action Group, Mike Aaronson, commented: “These results show two things.

“First, the strength of opposition to the idea of building hundreds of houses on a sensitive Green Belt site at the historic heart of Normandy.

“Second, that the charge of Nimbyism is unfair. People here understand the need for more homes, but they also believe that development should be strategic, not opportunistic, and should not occur just because a builder has got its hands on precious agricultural land.

“They care about nature recovery and preserving the countryside for future generations, they care about the sustainability of local infrastructure and services, and they cannot believe that this kind of scheme is what the Government had in mind when it eased restrictions to bring more green belt sites into scope for development.”

Taylor Wimpey held a public consultation in July and plans to hold a second drop-in at Normandy Village Hall on November 4 from 2pm-7.30pm.

A spokesperson said: “We’ve listened carefully to local feedback alongside input from statutory consultees and have refined the proposals accordingly. We look forward to meeting more residents in November and continuing the conversation as the plans develop.”

The company claims it is committed to working with residents and stakeholders to shape a scheme “that responds to local priorities and delivers genuine benefits for the area.” The company has said its plans include a nursery/primary school and community facilities.

The action group’s survey drew strong comments from residents.

One said: “This development would completely destroy the heart of our village.”

Another said: “Already overstretched GP surgery. Traffic at the school is terrible. No pedestrian crossing which makes it very dangerous to cross. Extra houses means extra cars.”

While another: “The infrastructure will be strained beyond breaking point and the upgrading of roads serving the site being developed will introduce significant additional conservation and disruptive issues to areas well away from the housing development.”

And another: “More houses, more cars, more people, more congestion, more background noise, more light pollution, less wildlife, less trees, less peace etc. Not good!”

The survey drew scepticism generally about the promises of housing developers, with comments that if the Normandy development were to go ahead, people would want to see concrete plans for infrastructure improvements – “not just vague promises” – and would require a confirmed list of what facilities were being proposed.

People said they would also want to see plans for improving primary healthcare, guarantees on flood mitigation, details on how traffic would be controlled and improvements to roads.

Normandy Parish Council will be surveying every household in Normandy once further details of Taylor Wimpey’s proposals have been given at the November 4 event.

More information on the Normandy Action Group survey is available here

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