Taylor Wimpey Submits Plans for New Tongham Housing Estate

Published on: 20 Jan, 2026
Updated on: 21 Jan, 2026

An illustrative view of what is proposed for Tongham. Image: Guildford Borough Council planning documents/Taylor Wimpey

By Emily Dalton

local democracy reporting service

Plans have been submitted to Guildford Borough Council for up to 420 new homes in Tongham – with anxious residents wondering whether the village infrastructure will cope if the scheme goes ahead.

Developers Taylor Wimpey have revealed their outline plans to build the estate on farmland at Manor Farm, on the edge of Tongham.

The site sits between Poyle Road and The Street, next to the Hogs Back Brewery, and beside the A31. At the moment, it is mostly fields, trees, woodland and a pond plus one bungalow at number 57 Poyle Road.

In November the Guildford Dragon NEWS reported local opposition to the scheme. Tongham Parish Council said it was fiercely opposed to the plans, citing potential traffic chaos, flooding risk, loss of the village’s identity and destruction of an area of great landscape value. People on social media questioned whether local services, such as primary healthcare, would be able to cope.

Taylor Wimpey said changes had recently been made to the scheme taking into account local feedback.

The developers said that if the plans go ahead, around 40 per cent of the homes would be “affordable”, which could help local people who are struggling to buy or rent in the area.

Because this is an outline application, the plans are about the big picture rather than exact designs and details. House styles and layout will be decided later while the only detail being locked in now is access.

Taylor Wimpey said plans include:

Up to 420 homes
Two new vehicle entrances, one from Poyle Road and one from The Street
New walking and cycling routes
Over 24 hectares of green space, including play areas for children
A new nature area
Partial relocation of the hop garden for Hogs Back Brewery
New trees, hedges and wildlife features
Drainage systems to help reduce flooding

The company’s application says the site is in a good spot, being within a five-minute walk from shops, schools and services. It is well connected to Aldershot, Farnham and Guildford.

The developers said the scheme would deliver much needed homes, bringing in new customers for local shops and businesses and creating new jobs during construction.

Solar panels and all-electric heating would be used as part of the scheme to reduce carbon emissions. The developers claimed nearly all building waste would stay out of landfill, showing their environmental commitment.

At the last census Tongham had a population of around 2,350. For many residents, the big question is whether the village can cope with hundreds of new homes. Matters like traffic, GP access, school places and pressure on local services are being raised.

Taylor Wimpey said it ran an online consultation last November and held meetings with councillors, community groups and environmental bodies. The developer claimed it made changes based on feedback and said it would keep talking to residents while the application is being decided.

People can comment on the application on Guildford Borough Council’s website until February 13, with a decision due later in the year. If approval is given, the developer will come back with detailed designs.