A community website from WCRA - the Westfield Common Residents' Association - based in Westfield, Woking, UK » Green Belt

Objection letter re: Local development framework strategy

the WCRA Editor — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 09:06:41 +0000

Woking Borough Council (WBC) have been running a consultation on their draft strategy Local Development Framework (LDF) otherwise known as Woking 2027. The LDF (once formally adopted) will replace the previous system of Regional Planning Guidance, Structure Plans and Local Plans.

WCRA submitted a submission to WBC regarding this as we were particularly concerned regarding the following matters:

Previously saved local plan policies regarding housing development were being ignored,
The lack of recognition that Westfield Common was a special place worthy of holistic management,
Protection of the Greenbelt
Flooding

A copy of our submission letter is attached for reference.

WCRA – Woking 2027 Consultation final 22 September

A glorious summers day…

the WCRA Editor — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:43:06 +0000

You must admit, the weekend was glorious and in keeping with many (whom I met along the way), it was an opportunity to enjoy the open spaces around Westfield Common.

Here are some photos of the open countryside and farmland showing the site earmarked for housing development (click on them to see them full size).

View looking West from right of way path

View looking east from right of way path

And a close up of another local resident who will get evicted with an uncertain future.

Honestly the whole situtation fills me with frustration!

Where else in Woking can you escape into the countryside with relative ease and encounter wildlife, farming and farm animals for free?

All this will be lost forever.

Is it worth it?

Greenbelt Review – More

the WCRA Editor — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:49:59 +0000

One of of readers recenly emailed Woking Borough Council concerning the proposed Green Belt revisions within the South Woking area (and Moor Lane in particular) as detailed in the South East Plan. This is their reply.

Thank you for your email regarding the new Green Belt policy in the South East Plan and enquiring if a Green belt review in Woking Borough would look at the Moor Lane development in Woking Borough.
The final version of the South East Plan says that there will be a possible need to review the Green Belt boundary to the south of Woking if the levels of growth set out for the Borough in the South East Plan cannot be accommodated within the existing built-up area (Policy SP5.)
Moor Lane is designated as a safeguarded site in the Woking Borough Local Plan,
these are areas that lie between the urban areas and the Green Belt boundaries.
As part of the Evidence Base for the emerging Local Development Framework (LDF), the Council has commenced a Green Belt Study. This is at the early stages, and will examine all of the Green Belt rather than just the southern boundary, and will help to assess whether there is a need to review the boundary, in conjunction with other housing studies that are being undertaken and the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment.
The methodology for the study is currently being devised, therefore I cannot comment if the Moor Lane site will be reviewed through the Green Belt Study. All of the Green Belt located on the edge of the Borough boundary will be evaluated, rather than concentrating on the southern boundary.
Historically Woking Borough has previously accommodated the entire housing requirement in the built up areas, without requiring a Green Belt release.
For information all of the key milestones in the preparation of LDF documents can be commented upon during public consultations. These are highlighted on the Council’s website at http://www.woking.gov.uk click on Planning and Regulation; there is also further Planning Policy information.
If you would like any further information regarding the Green Belt Study, please email: planningpolicy@woking.gov.uk
The Planning Application for Moor Lane was submitted on 18th May and can be viewed on the website via public access, PLAN/2009/0434 is the reference no:
http://caps.woking.gov.uk/publicaccess/
I hope that this information is useful.
Kind regards
Claire Beaumont
Senior Planning Policy Projects Officer
Woking Borough Council
Tel: 01483 743267

Green Belt – Emerging Policies

the WCRA Editor — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:47:47 +0000

One of of readers recently emailed Woking Borough Council concerning the proposed Green Belt revisions within the South Woking area (and Moor Lane in particular) as detailed in the South East Plan. This is their reply.

Thank you for your email regarding the new Green Belt policy in the South East Plan and enquiring if a Green belt review in Woking Borough would look at the Moor Lane development in Woking Borough.
The final version of the South East Plan says that there will be a possible need to review the Green Belt boundary to the south of Woking if the levels of growth set out for the Borough in the South East Plan cannot be accommodated within the existing built-up area (Policy SP5.)
Moor Lane is designated as a safeguarded site in the Woking Borough Local Plan,
these are areas that lie between the urban areas and the Green Belt boundaries.
As part of the Evidence Base for the emerging Local Development Framework (LDF), the Council has commenced a Green Belt Study. This is at the early stages, and will examine all of the Green Belt rather than just the southern boundary, and will help to assess whether there is a need to review the boundary, in conjunction with other housing studies that are being undertaken and the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment.
The methodology for the study is currently being devised, therefore I cannot comment if the Moor Lane site will be reviewed through the Green Belt Study. All of the Green Belt located on the edge of the Borough boundary will be evaluated, rather than concentrating on the southern boundary.
Historically Woking Borough has previously accommodated the entire housing requirement in the built up areas, without requiring a Green Belt release.
For information all of the key milestones in the preparation of LDF documents can be commented upon during public consultations. These are highlighted on the Council’s website at http://www.woking.gov.uk click on Planning and Regulation; there is also further Planning Policy information.
If you would like any further information regarding the Green Belt Study, please email: planningpolicy@woking.gov.uk
The Planning Application for Moor Lane was submitted on 18th May and can be viewed on the website via public access, PLAN/2009/0434 is the reference no:
http://caps.woking.gov.uk/publicaccess/
I hope that this information is useful.
Kind regards
Claire Beaumont
Senior Planning Policy Projects Officer
Woking Borough Council
Tel: 01483 743267

Surrey green belt at risk from housing plans

the WCRA Editor — Thu, 14 May 2009 10:41:06 +0000

Interesting article published on Get Surrey stating that the green belt status of land across Surrey is set to be reviewed so that government targets for new homes can be reached.
Surrey green belt at risk from housing plans