Residents Urge Council to Stand Up to Threat of Alfold Development

Published on: 11 Feb, 2025
Updated on: 14 Feb, 2025

Thakeham’s 400 homes plan for land near Alfold. Image Thakeham and Google

By Chris Caulfield

local democracy reporter

Waverley Borough Council has been urged to “stand up” to developers who want to build 400 homes that protesters say would “ruin” a rural Surrey village.

The Merchant Seamen’s War Memorial Society and Thakeham Homes Limited have submitted proposals for a huge housing development south off the Dunsfold Road and west of Loxwood Road in Alfold.

Developers argue the project would significantly ease the housing shortage crisis facing the borough – especially as it can no longer demonstrate there is sufficient land to meet government targets.

They hope to create a new access road leading into the site, together with pedestrian and cycle links with land set aside for community and commercial use as well as a community orchard.

Residents argue that the huge and rapid increase in housing would put bring the creaking infrastructure to its knees, overburdening roads and sewers.

Public transport isn’t a strong point either, with the nearest train station 9km away at Witley.

According to outline plans, 30 per cent of the homes would be made affordable – with the developers saying the project would significantly ease the housing shortage crisis facing the borough.

Courts have ruled that Waverley Borough Council’s planning rules are out of date and there is only a year’s worth of available land for housing – the minimum must be five.

The developers’ planning statement read: “The council has a very serious shortfall in housing land supply at present, which is nowhere near the target of demonstrating a minimum five-years’ worth of housing land supply.

“The current shortfall in housing supply in Waverley is a significant matter, and one that has been ongoing for years and is likely to worsen as progress on a new local plan has not yet begun.

“The significant increase in housing targets for Waverley as a result of the Government’s planning reforms will also significantly worsen this position.

“The demand for housing in Waverley is a serious concern as each home that is not built is an individual or a family that is not able to be suitably housed in the area.”

If approved, nearly 500 new homes would be built in the small village over a very short period – with 99 currently under construction to the south east of the proposed site.

Residents have begun writing in earnest against the plans.

One said: “Alfold’s current infrastructure is already struggling to cope with existing demands. Frequent sewage spills, low water pressure and power outages. The village lacks essential services and the increase in population will inevitably lead to excessive traffic and congestion.

“This development completely disregards the Alfold Neighbourhood Plan, which was created with extensive community input and the Thakeham survey which highlighted the lack of investment in facilities and infrastructure.

“Ignoring these findings and proceeding with this development is irresponsible and unsustainable.”

Another said: “Come on Waverley. Stand up to these developers and start saying no to prevent further loss of our green spaces, flora and fauna. Alfold’s infrastructure and the A281 cannot cope with more development than it has already seen.

“You will ruin this village.”

The plans are still at outline stage and will be finalised over time. Thakeham envisages a range of houses and flats varying between one and four bedrooms in size at a maximum of two and a half storeys.

They have held regular discussions with the council’s planning staff to reach this stage including meetings in March, April and May 2024.

The planning statement read: “Thakeham is an experienced local housebuilder committed to delivering an outstanding development that accords with the unique local character of Alfold and its surrounds.

“Whilst still under construction, development of 99 homes on land to the immediate south-east of the application site is an example of the exceptional quality and excellence that Thakeham is capable of delivering and is a real-life example of what this site can achieve for future residents.

“A suite of measures will be incorporated into the design of each home to ensure the sustainability credentials meet the council’s ambitious targets for climate change reduction, and to empower new residents to make adaptations to a more sustainable way of living.

“A sustainability statement has been submitted as part of the application package, which explains how water and energy reduction measures will be included in the fabric of each home to ensure the proposed development contributes to meeting these targets.”