Guest Article by Thibaud Madelin

Thibaud Madelin is the lengthperson for the National Trust River Wey and Godalming Navigations, based at Triggs Lock, Sutton Green. He looks after the section of river between Bowers Lock and Papercourt Lock and controls the flood alleviation weir structures.

Working for the National Trust, I often get opportunities to visit other properties to learn about their history or experience new surroundings. For example, a few weeks back, I left the river behind and visited the Ashridge Estate in Buckinghamshire to help with the annual deer counting, walking through the ancient woods at dawn just as they woke up. It was a magical experience which was more than matched when I ventured out closer to home at Clandon Park, to learn more about Hinemihi, the Maori Meeting House from Te Wairoa that now sits next to the main house.

The National Trust had organised a day for people to discover more about Hinemihi, her significance, her past, her present and her future. The day was hosted by Alan Gallop, who literally wrote the book on Hinemihi (The House with the Golden Eyes, Running Horses Books) and Rosanna Raymond, an artist and educator who is a big part of the Maori and wider Polynesian communities.

Hinemihi was completed in 1881 after being commissioned by the head of the local Ngati Hinemihi tribe, Aporo Wharekaniwha. A Whare Nui, she was and remains a meeting house, where people debate decisions, celebrate births and marriages, entertain visitors and mourn the dead. During the night of 10th of June 1886, nearby Mt Tarawera erupted, laying waste to Te Wairoa. Hinemihi withstood the tons of volcanic debris, ash and mud that covered the settlement, saving the lives of many of the villagers that found shelter inside. However, Te Wairoa was destroyed forever and the building and settlement would lay empty until the departing Governor of New Zealand, Lord Onslow, bought it and brought it back to Clandon Park as a reminder of 4 happy years in New Zealand in 1892.

Since then Hinemihi has stood the rigour of the British weather as well as two World Wars. In 1956, the Countess of Iveagh, the oldest daughter of the 4th Earl of Onslow, offered Clandon Park to the National Trust so that it could be preserved for future generations. Since then, a gradual process of restoration has taken place as well as a realisation of the importance of Hinemihi, with descendents of the original carver and Chief Aporo replacing lost carvings in 1995.

Today, the National Trust along with the Maori and Polynesian community and other long-standing friends of Hinemihi are looking at ways that restoration work can be completed and the role Hinemihi might play for the local community around Clandon Park in the 21st Century. The team at Clandon Park have organised familiarisation sessions and are trying to consult widely about the direction this should take.

She is an amazing meeting house, full of history and significance, a living building that we are privileged to be able to have at our doorsteps. If you would like to know more, just pop in to Clandon Park and visit the old lady in the shadow of the oak trees by the main house or contact the team on 01483 226 160. You can also learn all about its history by reading Alan Gallop’s book, which informed most of the historical information in this article.

Kia ora!

Door Carving Details. Picture: Matthew Batchelor

Hinemihi today. Picture: Matthew Batchelor

Hinemihi at Te Wairoa. Picture: Courtesy of Alan Gallop and the Hinemihi Collection

Hinemihi under tons of ash, mud and rocks after Mt Tarawera’s eruption. Picture: Courtesy of Alan Gallop and the Hinemihi Collection

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Guest Article by Thibaud Madelin

Picture from early 20th Century showing pollards just upstream of Triggs Lock Cottage. Those were gone by the 60s and reinstated in 2011.

There are 57 trees in a pollarding rotation along my length. Some of them have been planted this year and others have stood for over a 100 years. So why are those trees being pollarded?

Pollarding basically means coppicing at head height, to protect regrowth from grazing animals such as cattle or sheep. There are broadly two types of places where you can find pollarded trees. Traditional wood pastures, such as the National Trust’sHatfieldForest, where cattle graze amongst old pollarded trees such as Beech, Oak and Hornbeam, and river sides, where you often find pollarded Willows or Poplars, such as the River Wey Navigations.

Pictures from the late 70s/80s showing the pollards just planted as branches on the right.

First and foremost, pollarding trees doesn’t damage them, in fact quite the opposite. Done properly, pollarding extends the life of the trees, traditionally providing a sustainable supply of firewood or fodder (pollarded Ash and Birch in particular) and shade for livestock or weaving material in the case of willow. Beech and Oak were traditionally cut every 10 to 15 years and many of those trees remain standing and alive today thanks to that practice. The Willows along the navigations are cut on a 3-year rotation due to their astounding rate of regrowth.

Today we do not primarly pollard trees to collect firewood or fodder but to maintain the historic management of the navigations as well as creating valuable habitats for wildlife.

Pollarding in action along Triggs Lock

Pollards can live longer that trees that haven’t been pollarded. As a result, as they age they develop hollow, rotten stems, loose bark, sap runs and depressions where water collects. This is turns provide a myriad of opportunities for insects, animals, plants and fungi to thrive as well as the bird life that depend on them.

The pollarded Willows along Papercourt Lock are a prime example of this. Have a close look at the trunk and you’ll see aerial roots, decaying wood, holes and crevasses and yet the trees continue to shoot up at the same rate than those along the Triggs mooring line, which are probably three to four times younger!

The current rotation program along the length also takes into consideration the necessity to retain trees at varying stage of growth so each group of trees is cut over three years, meaning that at any one time you have group of trees at three different stages of regrowth.

Pollarding in Action along Triggs mooring line.

If we didn’t continue to pollard those trees, the weight of the regrowth would soon topple the trees over, killing them in the process. Willows, in particular, are inherently designed to grow until they can fall and reshoot upwards from their laid main stem so the work is critical to maintaining the trees as living ecosystems.

Last year we used cuttings from pollarding to plant three new pollards above Triggs Lock Cottage. We made the decision after studying old pictures that showed a line of pollard in that location that had since disappeared. Having this variety of tree ages at different stages of pollarding rotation all along the length allows wildlife to make the most of this resource as well as demonstrates the healthiness of the process and the positive impact it has one the trees themselves. It may sound counterintuitive but the trees like nothing more than a short haircut during the winter! It also emphasize the historic and industrial heritage of the navigations. When a pollard dies, either due to age of other reasons, we always replace it. They are an integral part of a working waterways, a fantastic natural resource and when looked at closely, they provide an amazing diversity of life, from beetles to birds through to bats and fungi.

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For those of you to who prefer it electronically it can be downloaded from here.

Enjoy.

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If you want to get a little bit festive and make a difference at the same time – Come and join in our Holly Event at Westfield Common

We’ll be thinning the holly on a site using hand tools and then making some festive wreaths with the cuttings which are free for you to take home.

Meet at the corner of Rose Bank Cottages and Moor Lane at 11.00am

Bring suitable outdoor clothes and a packed lunch

You’ll need: lunch (depending on how long you’re staying), sturdy footwear and clothes suitable for the outdoors. If you’ve got a thick pair of work gloves bring them too!

We’ll supply all the tools and training as well as hot drinks, biscuits and crafty bits n bobs to embellish the wreaths.

Under 16s very welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information call Frances Halstead on 07891 514574

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Winner of the Best Front Garden in Woking.

Kindly donated by Lynn Corbet daughter of the owners at that time, Bob and Joyce Heywood.

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The event was a grand success despite the unusually hot and sunny weather.

40 volunteers turned out helping to remove 30 bags of general rubbish and well as 20 bags of recyclables.

A press release from Surrey Wildlife Trust, the co-organisers with WCRA is attached below for your interest.

Press Release Westfield Tidyup 2nd oct 2011

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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

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Update:  Unfortunately this event had to be cancelled as Woking Borough Council refused permission for SWT to access the land in question.

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The clean-up will take place on Sunday 02 October 2011 and will run from 11AM to 3PM.

As before Surrey Wildlife Trust will provide safety and cleaning equipment and tea and biscuits.  They will set-up their gazebo on Westfield Common next to the Childrens play area at Balfour Avenue.  Please join us at 11:00 for the initial registration.

If you are unable to join us for the full event then please spare whatever time you have as all help will be appreciated.

SWT will also be running a free activity for children from 1PM.

I look forward to seeing you there.

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This is our best chance to save the tree following it poisoning / damage related to the gas works carried out on Moor Lane.

Fingers crossed.

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We are writing to let you know that the Horse Chestnut Tree located in the middle of Moor Lane (next to no.15) is in a very poor condition.

This has been caused partly by the gas leak nearby which has suffocated it and partly by the repair work to the gas, which has damaged the roots.

Now the repair work has finished and the roots covered again, we are doing our best to keep the tree watered and give the roots extra food.

We are hoping this will help it recover a little but the reality is the tree has only about a 5% chance of surviving.

We have met with the tree specialists from Woking Council and they agree that one of the best things we could do to help the tree survive is to cut it back

The reason for this is that the tree cannot sustain all of it’s branches and leaves with the roots is had left. Cutting it back would give it a better chance.

The suggestion is that we remove about 50% of the tree from the top down. Obviously this would look quite different which is why we are writing to you.

We wouldn’t know until next spring / summer if the tree has survived, but we need to take action now to limit the damage.

Woking Council have agreed to fund the tree cutting so we just need to know if you agree or have a different view.

We would be grateful if you could come back to us with any comments by the 8^th August so we can let the Council know what action to take.

We can I can be contacted on (westfield.common@gmail.com) and we will take account of everyone’s views.

In addition to the tree cutting, Woking Council have agreed to fund the planting of a replacement tree near the chestnut, on the green.

This would be a small native tree which would hopefully grow big enough to replace the chestnut if it doesn’t survive eg. a cedar, tulip tree etc.

Your views on this suggestion would also be welcome.

Regards

Bill Corney
Chairman
WCRA

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There is a large resident population of Roe Deer in Westfield Common and if you are particularly lucky you may spot individuals or small herds at the road side or even galloping down your road.

Below is a photo of a deer in no 8 Moor Lane taken on  27 June 2011.

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Surrey Waste Partnership are working on a campaign to encourage households in Woking to start home composting and educate residents about the benefits of home composting to themselves and to the environment.

They are offering composting bins for a reasonable price of £14 so it seems like a good idea and WCRA is happy to pass on the information on this initiative to residents.

Get composting this summer

Whether you’re a keen gardener or just want to choose the greenest, most natural way to deal with your food and garden waste, composting is the perfect solution.

Grass cuttings, dried leaves, twigs and vegetable peelings are just some of the ingredients that can go into a compost bin or heap to make peat-free compost – ideal to use in potting or planting in your garden or allotment.

Getting started is easy.  All you need is a compost bin or a small space in the garden to create a heap. Then just follow our easy guide to creating your own supply of natural food for your garden.

Why compost?

Compost is a natural, nutrient-rich food product for your garden. It will help improve soil structure, maintain moisture levels, and keep your soil’s PH balance in check while helping to suppress plant disease. It will have everything your plants need including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and will help buffer soils that are very acidic or alkaline. Compost improves your soil’s condition and your plants and flowers will love it!

Home-made compost is natural and peat-free which means it is good for the environment outside your garden too. It reduces the need to buy peat products, which have been commercially sourced and extracted from peat bogs, resulting in the release of the carbon stored in them.

Recipe for success

Right ingredients

• Greens
• Browns
• Tea bags
• Dried leaves, twigs
• Coffee grounds
• Wood chippings, straw
• Vegetable peelings
• Crushed egg shells
• Salad leaves
• Vacuum bag contents
• Fruit scraps
• Cereal/egg boxes
• Grass cuttings
• Old flowers
• Dead plants

Wrong Ingredients

• Cooked vegetables
• Meat
• Dairy products
• Diseased plants
• Dog mess or cat litter
• Nappies

You can compost a wider range of materials in more specialist bins such as Green Cones and Wormeries.

A step-by-step guide

1. Find the right site. Site your bin or heap on bare soil. If space is limited, put your bin on concrete, tarmac or patio slabs, but make sure there’s a layer of soil or existing compost on the bottom so garden creatures can colonise.
2. Add the right ingredients. Fill your kitchen caddy with the right ingredients such as tea bags, taking care not to compost cooked food, meat or fish.
3. Fill it up. Empty your kitchen caddy and your garden waste into your bin or heap. A 50/50 mix of greens and browns is the perfect recipe for good compost.
4. After 9-12 months. The ingredients you have put in your bin or heap should have turned into a dark brown, earthy smelling material at the bottom of the bin, which can be dug out, with the newer material being left.
5. Ready! Once your compost resembles thick, moist soil and smells very earthy, it’s ready to use.
6. Collect the compost. Lift the bin slightly or open the hatch at the bottom and scoop out the fresh compost with a garden fork or spade. If you have built your own, simply rake out the ready compost.
7. Use it. And watch your garden bloom. Compost can be used for all types of planting needs – vegetable plants for allotments; general potting (if mixed with something like ordinary soil); or flowerbeds and enriching new borders by mixing in existing soil.

Involve your children too

Every school-aged child knows about reduce, reuse and recycle. Composting involves all these steps plus the benefit of having fun and watching your garden grow.

Get Started

To find out more about how to build yourself a compost heap, or to buy a bin, starting from only £14.00 visit www.surreywastepartnership.org.uk or call 0844 571 4444. You’ll also find lots of other helpful tips and information there too.

Or

Arrange a visit with the resident gardener at WCRA HQ to see composting in action – she has at least 3 composters on the go!

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Sunday 8th May 2011:  A small army of 39 local volunteers turn up to make the Westfield Common Big Tidy a grand success.

Four hours of sweat and effort and the end result is one filled skip, 53 bags of general rubbish, 12 blue bags of recyclables and pride all round!

The event, jointly organised by WCRA and Surrey Wildlife Trust, was intended to remove litter, flytipping and other general rubbish to improve the common for the benefit of the local community and wildlife.

Westfield Common, a site of nature conservation importance (SNCI), is a special area of Woking and is enjoyed by residents and leisure visitors alike for its rural nature, opportunities for leisure and walking and convenient access to the countryside.

Sadly, despite being classified as SNCI, Common Land and partially green belt the area has not been actively managed and nurtured by the local government authority.  But for the activism of locals there is no doubt that it would be littered and more degraded.

The Big Tidy Up was the latest effort by WCRA to highlight our concerns regarding the quality of the Common and take positive action to improve the area.

Over four hours the volunteers scoured as much of Westfield Common as we were able to do.  We filled one skip and collected 53 bags of general rubbish and 12 blue bags of recyclables!

We are intending to run another Big Tidy Up in the Autumn so watch this space for updates!

Thanks are due to….

1. WCRA members  for organising the promotion and leafleting to create awareness of the event,

2. Frances Halsted from Surrey Wildlife Trust for organising the clean-up plan, supplying the equipment, organising the skip from WBC, bringing tea and biscuits and arranging the rubbish removal .

3. All the residents and WCRA members that volunteered their time.

4. The Geocachers who turned up to help with the tidy up and explore the woods.

Photos from the Event

More on the Geocachers & CITO

Geocaching is an outdoor sporting activity in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called “geocaches” or “caches”, anywhere in the world.  Cache In Trash Out (CITO) is an ongoing environmental initiative which encourages Geocachers to clean up areas parks and other areas as they visit them.  You can learn more at: www.geocaching.com.

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Nothing could be further from the truth!

One of the great things about this area is that there is a great community spirit and residents often arrange events to share fun, make new friends and enjoy our open spaces.

The occasion of Royal Wedding was the ‘excuse’ for the latest event and the great thing about it was that it was genuinely spontaneous and WCRA is happy to showcase what a great event it was.

It all began with a mysterious mail drop inviting the WCRA Admin and the Mrs to the event.

Front row seats

So along we went….to enjoy a glorious day of fun, games, food and fun.

Highlights were:

• the shared experience of watching / listening to the wedding (the ladies going “oh bless them” and the gents paying keen interest to Pippa);
• the mix of young, young at heart, and the oldies;
• at least 3 lots of barbecue;
• endless cricket in the sun;
• and not forgetting “the Party Animal”, “the Princess”, “the Hostess”, “the Fielders Favourite”, the “Royal Watcher” and many others rocking out at the tail end of the day!

All that remains to say is to thank the community for organising the event and inviting us along.

Enjoy the photos.

-WCRA Admin.

Working up batch no 1.

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WCRA together with Surrey Wildlife Trust is organising a community Litter pick on Sunday 08th May 2011.

If you are interested in volunteering to help remove litter from the Common then please assemble on the green outside Rosebank Cottages at 11:00 (opposite Number 19) on the 08th May 2011.

Time: 11am to 3pm (bring your own lunch for break around 12.30)

Venue: Middle of Westfield Common in front of Rosebank Cottages

Other information: Litter picks, tabards and bags to be provided by Surrey Wildlife Trust along with squash and biscuits.

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One of the inadvertent consequences of the Hoe Valley scheme is that it has severely disturbed the resident deer population and has driven them onto the local road network.

Local residents out dog walking have spotted deer in Bonsey Road, the Barnsbury Estate and just this Tuesday local resident Ann Hicks of Lime Grove came across a dead deer across the path just in the entrance of the small wooded area at the junction of Moor Lane and New Lane.

It was evident from its injuries that it had been hit by a car.

WCRA urges all drivers to be aware that deer are in the area and urges them to slow down to prevent injury to them and the wildlife.

We also will be asking the relevant authorities to investigate the installation of wildlife warning signs in the area.

———-

Update 27 Apr 2011: We are sad to report that two deer have now been killed.

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Local residents have been reported around 5 incidents in the last week or so.  In one incident foul language was scratched into the vehicle body work which will require costly repair.

Residents are urged to be vigilant and report any incidents to the local community police office or to Councillor Derek McCrum.

Contact Details

• Police – 0845 125 2222
• Councillor McCrum – 01483 722735

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The next socials will be held on:

• 1st April (Bird in Hand)
• 6^th May (Bird in Hand)
• 3^rd June
• 1^st July (cancelled)
• 5^thAugust
• 2^nd September
• 7^th October
• 4^th November and
• 2^nd December.

All are welcome.

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A resident reports his experience as follows:

Yesterday evening( Mon 14th March) about 19.15 hrs I received a telephone call .

The male caller had my name and said he was calling from “Crime Prevention”.

My wife and I are ex directory so I was curious.

He said that he/they had been looking at the crime figures in my area and would like to send somebody round to talk with me.

I asked him “Are you from the police?” Reply was “ Crime Prevention”

I repeated the question and got the same answer. I challenged him and said you sound like a private company and I do not do business on the telephone. I put the phone down. I rang 1471 and was told the number had been “Withheld”

I rang the police, passed on the information and said I thought it was a scam. They were interested and said they would check it.

I presume a “salesman” would have arrived and would have had to have a look round my property and obviously check out what security was already in place. If this is a scam it seems a good way to find what is available in the home and just how easy it is to get in. If other people have had these calls then it may be a good idea to tell the police and not let anyone in even if they do “appear” to be legal.

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Pub socials provide an informal opportunity to meet other residents, catch-up with the WCRA committee, find out more about issues in the area and get to know one another. All are very welcome.   NB – Its always best to always check that its going ahead by clicking on the links below or send an email to us by clicking here.

2012

The venue will be the Mayford Arms.  The schedule (s0 far) for 2012 is:

• 6th Jan.
• 3rd Feb.
• 2nd Mar.

2011

The venue is the Bird in Hand.  The schedule of pub socials for 2011 is:

• 1st April
• 6^th May
• 3^rd June
• 1^st July (cancelled)
• 5^thAugust
• 2^nd September
• 7^th October
• 4^th November (cancelled as we were working on Woking 2027 consultation).
• 2^nd December (cancelled as we were working on Common Land swap exchange matters).

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The tour will commence at 10:30 on the Common opposite Rosebank Cottages.

All are welcome to attend.

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It one of those issues that potentially polarises local opinion:

• On the one hand, the use of the common for grazing by commoners is what it was originally intended for.
• On the other, people get concerned that the animals are being crazed by outsiders who don’t have rights to graze here and they get concerned about the well-being of the animals.

Clearly if the animals appear to be in distress then please inform the RSPCA or provide them with some water.

Feel free to collect the horsepoo to fertilise your roses!

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Agenda

1. Welcome
2. Chairman’s Report.
3. Guest Speaker: Frances Halstead (SWT)
4. Special Topic: Latest news on the Housing Development rom the WCRA prespective.
5. Action Plan 2011:  Tell us what you want us to focus upon in 2011
6. Treasurers Report
7. Elections, Subscriptions & Membership Renewals
8. AOB

All members and non-members welcome.

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The FOI can be viewed here: http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/pfi_housing_moor_lane_please_sup

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3. Westfield Common – Registration FOI Request update FYI – copy of response of FOI request to establish...

http://www.police.uk/crime/?q=Westfield%20Common,%20Woking,%20Surrey%20GU22%209,%20UK#crimetypes

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The article features comments from WCRA and from Kate Ashbrook from the Open Spaces Society (OSS) in objection.

Available from all good Newsagents.

Go buy a copy – its good value for money!

Update (10 Apr 2011)

With the demise of the Woking News and Mail we can now present the article in its entirety.

Related posts:

1. FOI Request – Responses to Consultation on Proposed Exchange of Common Land at Westfield Common A Freedom of Information request to Woking Borough Council. Bill...
2. Access Application Rejection – Local Media Coverage Article from Louise Osbourne can be viewed here: See article...
3. Open Spaces Society Object to Common Land Swap Open Spaces Society Object to Common Land Swap...

20 January 2011

Peter Bryant
Head of Legal Services
Woking Borough Council
Civic Offices
Gloucester Square
Woking
Surrey GU21 6YL

Dear Peter,

Consultation on Proposed Exchange of Common Land at Westfield Common (dated 21 December 2010)

Thank you for your letter of 21 December 2010 concerning the proposal for the exchange of common land referenced in your letter.

On behalf of the Westfield Common Residents’ Association (WCRA) I would like to notify you of our objection to any future application to the Planning Inspectorate for de-registration of the common land outlined in your letter.

On this occasion I will limit my comments to a few observations regarding the consultation letter sent to local residents and the supporting documents referenced within the letter.

1. Within your justification for the requirement for the release of the land you make reference to provision of 190 affordable housing units but fail to mention that the scale of the proposed development is much larger than this thus giving an incomplete rationale for the land swap and its potential impact on the Common and SNCI.

2. You also state that the alternative would either require demolition of two houses or require the use of more common land and that there is no planning consent for these alternatives. Whilst the statement on planning consent is correct the rest of the statement is somewhat misleading and alarmist as it suggests to the general public that the alternatives had been considered but rejected at planning committee or that they are in fact deliverable via local planning. In particular the release of Common Land is not subject to control by the local planning committee.

3. RE: the WBC resolution to adopt a formal management plan for a portion of Westfield Common and the referenced documents produced by Surrey Wildlife trust. The referenced documents by SWT comprise a summary of the ecological appraisals completed to date by a variety of agencies together with a shopping list of objectives for improving the long term management of Westfield Common and the SNCI. In particular these key points are made by SWT:

• The report warns should the associated housing development proceed it will impact upon the ecology of the common, SNCI and adjacent area and that this should be examined by WBC;
• That the impact of the full housing development should be addressed in the overall management plan for the Common and the area of development;
• The management objectives outlined by SWT cover the whole of Westfield Common and the SNCI;
• The SWT report (section 8.4) states that implementation of their proposed management scheme will incur substantial cost over a substantial period of time.

Despite this:

• We are unaware of any investigations into the the combined impact of the access, land swap, and housing development upon the Common and SNCI;
• WBC are intending to bring forward a management scheme to look after only a small portion of the Common and the SNCI;
• There are no details of how WBC intends to practically implement the recommendations, i.e. no details of what you will do, who you will sub-contract this to, how much this will cost and for how long the management scheme will operate.

I am disappointed to see Woking Borough Council conduct yet another hasty and incomplete consultation exercise.

Regards

Bill Corney
Chairman
WCRA

Related posts:

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3. Common Land Exchange – Letter to the Planning Inspectorate A letter of objection was sent by WCRA to the...

See website

OPEN SPACES SOCIETY NEWS RELEASE

WESTFIELD COMMON, WOKING, THREATENED AGAIN

The Open Spaces Society,⁽¹⁾ the top pressure-group for common land, has submitted an objection to Woking Borough Council which is consulting interest groups and local people on plans to swap part of Westfield Common.⁽²⁾ The intention is to provide an access road to a potential new housing development north of Moor Lane.

Woking Council wanted to deregister 387 square metres of the common.  It is wet woodland and a Site of Nature Conservation Interest.  The plan to exchange common land was rejected by the Planning Inspectorate, following a public inquiry last year.  Now Woking Council has revived its plans offering an additional area of land in exchange as a sweetener, the two sites totalling954 square metres.  The Open Spaces Society, the Westfield Common Residents’ Association and many local residents have objected.

Says Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society: ‘We do not consider that the public is gaining anything from this proposed swap.

‘The council is offering two areas of common land in exchange for the chunk being taken.  The first is almost identical to the original proposal which was rejected partly because it was inferior for nature conservation.  The council now claims that it will comply with a management plan recommended by the Surrey Wildlife Trust to improve the nature conservation of this site.  However, there is no guarantee that this improvement will actually happen.

‘The second area of exchange land, immediately to the east of the pond at Willow Bank, may well already be registered common land.  We understand that it was scheduled for development some years ago, but we are not aware that it has been deregistered.

‘If it is still common land, clearly it cannot be offered in exchange.  If it is not common land, it is still of little benefit because people already use it freely.  It’s a recreation ground and is crossed by a public footpath.  It is treated as a public open space.

‘We are dismayed that Woking Council seems set on allowing use of part of Westfield Common for development.  Our commons are of vital importance, for their history as well as their landscape, recreational and wildlife value.  Walkers and riders have the rights to enjoy the whole of Westfield Common, and we feel this special land should be protected, not frittered away for development.

ENDS

Notes for editors

1.         The Open Spaces Society (formally the Commons, Open Spaces and Footpaths Preservation Society) was founded in 1865 and is Britain’s oldest national conservation body.  It campaigns to protect common land, village greens, open spaces and public paths, and people’s right to enjoy them.

2.         Common land is land subject to rights of common, to graze animals or collect wood for instance, or waste land of the manor not subject to rights.  There are approximately 1.3 million acres of common land in England and Wales.  The public has the right to walk on all commons and the right to ride on Westfield Common, among others.

All common land is shown on registers, held by the county councils.  If someone wants to remove the land from the register they must follow a legal process, which includes advertisement and the opportunity for the public to object.  An application under section 16 of the Commons Act 2006 for the deregistration and exchange of common land is made to the Planning Inspectorate, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who must have regard to the interests of persons having rights on the land which is proposed to be taken, the interests of the neighbourhood and the public interest.

Related posts:

1. WCRA joins Open Spaces Society WCRA has joined the Open Spaces Society. Britain’s oldest conservation...
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The Mayford Grange was instructed to remove the signage on the 23^rd Dec 2010 and the sign was removed on the 6^th Jan 2011.

A small success story in the ongoing struggle to protect the Common from inappropriate development

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However as you can see from the pictures below the proposed development site was under water once again.

The flooding dossier continues to fill with examples of why this land is not suited for development.

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Diversions are being put in place which will push traffic through Westfield as illustrated in the diagram below:

No related posts.

Westfield Common is located in Reach 4 as referenced in the documents.

Original documents can be downloaded from here or from the Environment Agency via this link.

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The consultation period has NOW been extended until 21 January 2010 and you will receive a letter shortly.

The letter from WBC is attached below:

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The press release can be found here: http://www.oss.org.uk/westfield-common-woking-saved-from-degradation/

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The Planning Inspectorate has refused permission for the common land exchange requested by Woking Borough Council in order to create a road access to the proposed housing development into the farm land north of Moor Lane.

The planning inspectors report is attached below:
westfield_common_decision_03_11_10

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On August 25th about 22:30 hrs my wife Margaret heard a noise, looked out of the window and said “Where have you parked the car?”. I had parked in front of our cottage about four feet from our lounge window. Looked out and the Fourtrak was about 30 ft down the road. I would seem that it had been broken in to and was about to be “Hot wired” when one of our neighbours had disturbed the thieves while walking his dog. The usual phone calls to police etc ( they were very good both on the phone and when the two policemen arived..) A  window had been smashed and the dashboard damaged.

We were due to go on holiday on the 29th so I booked the vehicle in to my usual garage  and also decided to have a new clutch installed.

Saturday 11th of September and back home. Received phone call to say I could collect the Fourtrak. Everything fine. Just after midnight on Sunday 12th we heard the sound of an engine starting, looked out in time to see the Fourtrak being driven away.

Police think its a local job and they went for my old vehicle because it was ideal for towing…..( I bought it to tow my caravan.) Two warnings…. Take care where you leave your vehicle overnight and if you have a caravan or something that needs to be towed make sure its safe. Police think it was stolen for a specific reason  Police are convinced  the villains have been watching and waiting for me to get the Fourtrak back.  They would have known it needed to go to a garage for repair after the first break in so it was only a matter of time

I wonder if anyone has seen any strangers loitering in the area over the last two or three weeks?

Please email M&M36 AT talktalk.net if you can help.

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Thanks.

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WCRA – Planning Inspectorate – Common Land Exchange v3 – 20100322

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Bill Corney

7 March 2010

Dear Woking Borough Council,

With reference to the consultation on proposed exchange of common
land at Westfield Common in the letter from Peter Bryant dated 21
September 2009, I would be grateful if the following information
could be provided:

1) Number of people who wrote into Mr Bryant regarding the proposal
(total number of responses)

2) Number of people who wrote in with objections (total number of
objections).

3) A breakdown of the responses.

I look forward to your reply.

Yours faithfully,

Bill Corney

The response is below:

Peter Bryant
Woking Borough Council

30 March 2010

Dear Mr Corney,

Thank you for your e-mail.

The replies to your questions are:-

1. 21.
2. 16.
3. There were objections to the principle of development at Moor Lane;
the area should not be developed to meet housing needs; premature to
consult before access points have been determined; the land offered in
substitution is inadequate; too soon to comment on application;
inconsistencies between common land application and planning
application; insufficient notice given; abuse of common land; no
objection to exchange; exchange land already common land; flora and
fauna will be decimated; loss of trees; increased flood risk; exchange
land is best area to be exchanged.

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For example, several of the back-gardens in Moor Lane were once again swamped as the ground was already saturated and the local drainage could not cope.

Interestingly, the proposed housing site was also somewhat overcome as you can see from the pictures below:

So this begs the question of where will all this water go when there are hundreds of houses on this site?

Answer that, Woking Borough Council.

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Thanks.

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l

Moor Lane Island Letter

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WCRA – Consultation on Proposed Common Land Exchange v2 – 20091008

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To assist you with submitting comments a copy of the objection letter submitted on behalf of WCRA is attached.

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1. View online (requires flash)

2. Download

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SurreyRadio 20090926.mp3

All rights acknowledged.

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• Theme changes (hope its more legible now)
• Improved the top navigation to improved naming and drop downs.
• Added an event calendar so that you can now see key dates for the diaries (public events, meetings and non-public committee meetings).
• Embedded the “report an issues” form into the relevant page.
• Embedded the “join WCRA” form into the relevant page.

Hope that all makes sense.  Enjoy!

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I’m afraid to report that after viewing the presentations and talking at length with many of the attendees, the general reaction to the presentations by Evolution and the Place Partnership was one of general disappointment and there was little there that was not presented at the previous consultation.

True the ideas are still evolving but little appears to be have done to address existing residents concerns about the core issues of density, access, residential scale, lack of facilities, flooding and noise.

We understand these matters go be beyond the remit of the bidders but its hugely frustrating that there wasn’t anyone there from the planning department of WBC that could consult on these subjects.

The bidders themselves are either unaware, uninformed or waiting for direction from WBC.

To WBC – Its not hard guys – full PROPER consultation with residents, proper reasoned dialogue and open review of the issues. Then perhaps you might start the process of healing the rift with the local community.

Attached is pictures of the proposed site layouts which contrast rather starkly with the rather pretty design submitted in support of the new access application.

Site Design submitted by WBC in new Access Application

Site layout by Evolution

Site layout by the Place Partnership

As always, feel free to submit comments below.

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For those of you who struggle to access the WBC Planning Portal (and I know there are many) the relevant documents are attached below:

• Application
• Tree Survey
• Ecological Appraisal
• Revised Transport Assessment
• Revised Design & Access Statement

"Idealised" Site Layout

The same old access roads

Balfour Junction "improvement" alternatives

Proposed Balfour Avenue Widening

Good bye tree lined avenue

All rights acknowledged.

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Witness something called an illustrative site layout included in the package of documents delivered to support access application (2009/0764).

At first glance this is nothing less than a revolutionary compared to the previous site maps we have been shown, in particular:

• A central fountain / pond has appeared
• An eastern lake (with boating?) has appeared
• Wooded outdoors area have appeared in the eastern part of the site.
• Tree lined boulevards feature in abundance.

However before you all get too excited read the small print on the diagram that states that:

For illustration purposes.  Not forming part of application.

In other words a load of old toot that is produced by a developer to make the proposed development look good and to let the decision makers at the planning committee feel a warm glow.

Ignore – the real development won’t look like this.

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The Public Workshop will be open from 11am – 4pm on Saturday 19th September at the Moorcroft Centre for the Community. http://www.woking.gov.uk/community/older/centresforthecommunity/moorcroft

Kind regards

Priority Homes Team

Woking Borough Council

www.woking.gov.uk/priorityhomes 01483 743891

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We are also updating the Citizen’s panel to ensure it is representative of the borough. We are particularly looking for younger people (aged between 16 and 25) and particularly residents from the following areas.
-          Hermitage and Knaphill South
-          Horsell East and Woodham
-          Kingfield and Westfield
-          Maybury and Sheerwater
-          Mayford and Sutton Green
-          St Johns and Hook Heath
-          Brookwood
-          Goldsworth West
-          Old Woking

It will be appreciated If you could help us to get more residents to sign up for the Citizen’s panel.  They can find more information on the website and sign up online.   www.woking.gov.uk/citizenspanel

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Press release and official letter attached.

From: Joanne Reid <Joanne.Reid@woking.gov.uk>
Date: Tue, Aug 18, 2009 at 8:48 AM
Subject: Changes to Woking Borough’s waste and recycling services
To:

To Whom It May Concern:

From September 2009, Woking Borough Council will be implementing a number of changes to the waste and recycling collection services. A brief outline of these changes is provided below and the Council would encourage you to forward these details onto members of your Residents Association and discuss these at your next arranged meeting. Also attached to this email is a PDF copy of the leaflet, which all households will receive as part of Borough-wide communications the first week of September 2009.

Your waste and recycling: residents will still receive an alternate weekly collection of waste and recycling, using the black and blue wheeled bins or sacks. As a reminder, the following items can be placed into the recycling container:

· aluminium foil (rolled up to no smaller than the size of a cricket ball)

· biscuit and sweet tins

· cardboard

· glass bottles and jars

· household paper (including coloured paper like the Yellow Pages)

· plastic bottles

· tins and cans

Day changes: The day and time of collections will change for most residents. Each household will receive a letter during the first week of September telling them exactly how their collection schedule will change. By changing residents collection schedules the service will have a more efficient vehicle-round structure, therefore lowering the carbon footprint and also enabling us to put in place food waste collections in January 2010.

Kerbside collection of household batteries: To prevent household batteries from going to landfill residents will be provided with a small plastic envelope along with their day change letter in September 2009. This should be filled with spent batteries. When the envelope is full it should be placed on the lid of the recycling bin or beside the blue recycling sacks. It will then be collected by Biffa operatives and put in a separate compartment on the collection vehicle.

Your garden waste service is changing: From 2 November 2009 the garden waste collection service will change. If residents wish to use the Council’s new garden waste collection service they will be asked to pay an annual fee to receive a green wheeled bin for their garden waste. A maximum of six wheeled bins can be provided. Households who currently use black and blue sacks and are unable to accommodate a wheeled bin can be issued with re-usable sacks. The clear plastic sacks will continue to be sold until October 2009 and collected until 18 December 2009. Residents are advised to purchase only what they know they will use.

Weekly collections of food waste: This service will initially be introduced in January 2010 to around 34,000 households. More difficult properties, such as flat developments will be addressed at a later date. During January 2010 participating households will be given one 7-litre silver kitchen caddy and one 23-litre lockable green outdoor bin. Residents will be able to recycle all food waste, which will be collected in the 23-litre green bin from the boundary of the property every week, on the same day as the waste and recycling. More details will be sent to participating residents inside the silver caddy in January 2010.

Full details of these changes can be found in the attached leaflet – this leaflet, along with a letter informing residents of their collection changes and a small plastic envelope for recycling batteries will be sent to all households in September 2009.

You have provided your email details as the point of contact for your Resident Association. If this is not the case, please do not hesitate to contact me on the number below, and I will remove your email address from our mailing list.

Kind regards,

Jo Reid

Support Assistant – Environmental Services

Woking Borough Council

(01483) 743492

Important_changes_to_your_waste_and_recycling_collection_services

[polldaddy poll=1971973]

No related posts.

Westfield Common Prioritised

Westfield Common Play Area
A known drug users was arrested in the play area and was found in possession of class A drugs.
A search for drug paraphernalia was carried out and all such materials removed from the area.
A subsequent arrest was made in Balfour Avenue in connection with this.

Fishing in the Nature Pond
The Community Police team have no powers to enforce prevention of fishing but have agreed to tackle under age drinking, trespass on Willow Bank property and verify that fishing licenses are in possession. The local fishing shop has agreed to encourage fishing elsewhere and remind shoppers of the requirement to have a fishing rod license.

Antisocial Behavior
At WCRA request the local community police team have agreed to prioritise Westfield Common July – Sep 2009. You should see an increased presence and activities by the community team to address anti-social behavior, crime and other matters.

This will also involve looking into the activities around the local parade of shops – a focus of concern.

Flytipping
All incidents should be reported to WBC environment officers and they will direct Serco to remove offending materials.
Any evidence regarding miscreants should be reported to the local community police team.

Arson
Have agreed to report back on the recent setting fire of the tyre swing in the Woodland.

Remember to report ALL matters to the local community police team.

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MOM – 20090707

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Go on support your local newspaper and buy a copy – its only 35p.

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To:
(Resident)
Moor Lane
Woking
GU22 9QY

From:
Woking Brought Council
Civic Offices
Gloucester Square
Woking
Surrey
GU21 6YL

Telephone (01483) 755855
Facsimile (01483) 768746
DX 2931 WOKING
Email wokbc@woking.gov.uk
Website www.woking.gov.uk

14th July 2009

Dear (Resident)

RE: Moor Lane Development

Thank you for your email dated 4th July regarding access to the development site north of Moor Lane.

At this stage the Council is not intending to use Moor Lane as a main access to the development site.

The County Highways Authority (CHA) would require significant changes to the Moor Lane carriageway for it to be used as a major access to the site. Some of the land required to achieve the necessary road structure to provide an access from Moor Lane is not in the Council’s ownership and would therefore require a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) of 3rd party land. However, a CPO would be difficult to justify because a detailed options appraisal by an independent highways engineer identified viable alternatives (not requiring the use of Moor Lane) which satisfy CHA requirements.

The Council is therefore not intending an access from Moor Lane itself to be included in any access planning application to the development site that is made by the Council.

However, in a separate study the highways engineer has determined that it may be possible for a small number of units to be served from Moor Lane itself without requiring any carriageway widening or major junction improvements. If the small number of units requiring access were to the eastern end of the Moor Lane, it may require at least three passing places along the length of the narrowest part of this road. Those currently bidding for the rights to develop the site may wish to pursue this possibility.

Another option would be for the bidders to investigate the possibility of achieving an access, again, for a small number of units, at the western end of the site, where the Moor Lane carriageway widens. This approach would require an assessment on the deliverability of such an access bearing in mind the common land status of the land between the road and the site.

In summary, minor access from Moor Lane, if any, would be addressed by the bidders in consultation with the County Highways Authority at the Masterplan stage and by the Local Planning Authority at the detailed planning application stage.

We will be holding a public consultation on Saturday 19th September between 11am and 4pm at The Moorcroft Centre for the Community.

We hope we have helped in some way to answer your queries. The Council will continue to keep residents informed as the project progresses. If you would like further information regarding Priority Homes please refer to Woking Borough Council’s website at www.woking.gov.uk/priorityhomes or call 01483 743891

 

Yours sincerely

Priority Homes Team

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2. Moor Lane Housing Project: Other Interesting Points Did you know that in the outline planning proposal for...
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A map excerpt is shown below showing the clear boundaries of the common (click on the map for a larger image):

Some observations:

• As you can see not all the paths that are in use have been officially recorded.
• Interesting long narrow strips of common land stretching up Moor Lane and on the western side of New Lane.
• Some of the streets – south Westfield Common, east Highlands Lane, Bonners Close and Willow Bank are common land.

The official registry entry is attached here Commons Register – CL121

All rights acknowledged.

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Moor Lane Access – Planning Application – Reference: PLAN/2009/0434

On behalf of fellow Westfield Common residents here tonight to show that they object to this application we would wish the committee to take the following into consideration

Permission for the outline application in 2006 was conditional on sign-off of a legal agreement between WBC & SCC.  This in turn was conditional on WBC demonstrating that transport access was viable.   Neither have been done.  According to the Planning Officers report, outline permission has not been granted and this application becomes null and void in view of this.

The purpose of this application is to demonstrate that WBC can deliver access routes to the site free from significant financial risk, over which they can exercise more control and there is no guarantee that these are the access routes that will ultimately be developed. This is for the benefit of the developers in that allows WBC to demonstrate that the developers will not take on  exposure to financial risk and also allows WBC to move forward with the legal agreement previously mentioned.  WBC are attempting to manipulate the planning process to suit the requirements of the PFI / Planning lifecycle and this application is no more that an artifice to achieve this.

The application purports to represent 3 access points to the proposed development site whereas, in actuality, the sole point of access is via a single junction – namely that of Balfour Avenue onto Westfield Road.  We would contest that to narrow the application scope and ignore access onto the major road does not fulfil the councils own statement of intent made in a letter to residents dated 29/4/09 of determining “the most realistic and deliverable points of access”.

The application fails to justify how proposed access options can be “the most realistic and deliverable” as it includes no documentation clarifying the proposed development design and hence density.  It states its purpose as being to determine access points suitable for a development of 200 homes which is in direct conflict with the density of 470 homes stated in WBCs literature. Until the scale and design of the development is accurately and definitively decided any application for access routes cannot be realistically granted as there is insufficient information available to allow for fully informed decision.

A comprehensive review of the application in conjunction with professional analysis of the Transport Statement highlights significant flaws including indisputable analytical errors and the artificial deflation of traffic density by the use of  out of date data.  The planning officers report defers the issues raised by our review to consideration under future planning applications however, we would expect any publicly funded body to be legally bound to show a duty of care in the construction of its planning applications and would hope that the useful expedient of pushing problems forward to another application would not be permitted as a method of ignoring errors within this one.

In conclusion it is inappropriate and in our belief fundamentally wrong to propose an access application separate from the full application for the site, as without the details for the proposed development of the site it is impossible to properly debate the appropriateness of any proposed access.  We would therefore request the committee to reject the application with the further recommendation that any application for access to the development site be made only as part of a full planning application which should cover all aspects of the proposed development, be made in full consultation with WCRA and utilise a mutually acceptable Transport Consultant.

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3. Outline Planning Application (PLAN-2006-0399) Site Map as proposed in the Outline Planning Application....

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A majority vote by the planning committee members saw the access applicated rejected in its entirity.

An excellent objection speech was delivered by WCRA spokesperson Kerry Denholm-Price.

A personal representation was made by Councillor McCrum who was prevented by committee rules from voting on the matter (he had to declare a personal interest as a local resident).

After an interesting series of questions from the Planning Committee members, a motion to reject the application was proposed and seconded by Councillors Brown and Sanderson.

Further News

1. Transcript of speech – see here
2. Local Media Coverage – see here
3. Minutes of Planning Committee (07th July 2009) – see here

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It’s time we presented the human face of the objectors to our council representatives.

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Unsurprisingly it is a recommendation to grant planning permission.

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Britain’s oldest conservation society, the aim of which is to protect, increase, enhance and champion the common land, village greens, open spaces and public rights of way in England and Wales, and the public’s right to enjoy them.

The particular role of the Open Spaces Society is recognised in that they are consulted on all applications for works on, and exchanges of, common land.

Click on the logo above to access their web site.

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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?

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Indeed today I witnessed the sad scene of a bed dumped into Moor Lane Pond (see picture below) which has been reported to WBC.

If you are concerned about anti-social behavior or environmental crimes then please report them.   The key contacts are below:

Old Woking, Kingfield and Westfield

• Council Neighbourhood Officer – Yvette Lanham (yvette.lanham@woking.gov.uk, Tel: 01483 743475)
• PC Paul May (w_safer_woking_cen@surrey.pnn.police.uk, Tel: 0845 125 2222 ext: 30055)

Mayford and Sutton Green

• Council Neighbourhood Officer – Tony Tweedie (tony.tweedie@woking.gov.uk, Tel: 01483 743806)
• PC Clare Leggat (w_safer_woking_cen@surrey.pnn.police.uk, Tel: 0845 125 2222 ext: 30055)

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• A rebuttal from Mayer Brown on the Coles Easden transport review, planning objections (in summary) and (special mention) Colin Weeks.   See Response to Transport Objections
• Arboricultural Method Statement – Basically what trees are being chopped down and how they are going to protect the rest of the trees for the route of Westfield Way. See Arboricultural Methods Statement
• Arboricultural Implications Statement – Further info of the tree removal and mitigation. See Arboricultural Implications Assessment

So the jist – The methods used to determine access is “sound” in their opnion oh and by the way here a list of the trees that are going to be removed to construct the new road of Westfield Way plus how the other trees not scheduled for the axe will be protected. 

I urge you ALL to read.

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• Balfour Avenue – 4.
• Bonners Close – 1.
• Campbell Ave – 1.
• Goldsworth Park – 1.
• Greenmeads – 1.
• Highlands Lane – 3.
• Lime Grove – 1.
• Moor Lane – 6.
• Newlands Ave – 1.
• Unspecified / Unclear Address – 14.
• Quartermaine – 12.
• Rosebank Cottages – 15.
• Sutton Green – 1.
• The Orchard – 15.
• Westfield Common – 20.
• Westfield Rd - 2.
• Westfield Way – 10.
• Willow Bank – 20.

Having some idea of who posted responses (as some people cc’d WCRA into their letters / emails) we are unconvinced that all letters of concern have actually been posted onto the WBC site.  

WCRA intend to email WBC for an official count of respondents.

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The Bidders will be displaying their revised proposals for the Priority Homes Project at a Public Workshop on Saturday 19th September 2009 between 11am and 4pm at Moorcroft Centre for the Community.

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Katie said that it will not be decided officially until 5 days before,but “unofficially” it’s likely to be 07th July.

The next planning committee after this is in September.

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At the east end of the site they hit water at 4 mtrs and in the west end (at best) they hit water at 7 mtrs down.  At no point did they drill through the water to dry land.   On this basis we can presume that the water table sites 4-7 meters below the land surface for the whole site and higher during the autumn / winter or during unseasonal extremes of rain.

Now here are some thoughts / observations / comments:

• New housing will load the land / compress it causing the water table to rise – with increased hard surfaces and land compression the site will be unable to absorb / hold water as a flood plain should do;
• The new houses are likely to flood so pity the people who have to live there.
• Think about the impact / risk of flooding has on ALL our insurance premiums which is based on post-code assessment of risk.

Further to that, one of our local residents talked with a meter reader and he said that houses over at Quartermaine Avenue have flooded in the past and he said a wall had been built to try a stop the flooding but he also said the stagnant water just sits there and the smell is horrible. So we know that housing to the north of the site is already subject to flooding.

Concerned about the risks the aforementioned resident wrote to the Housing Minister, Margaret Beckett and was passed down the line and had a reply from Brendan O’Keeffe the Surrey Planning Case Officer who advised me to contact my local councillor and /or WBC regards flooding, estate etc. On the 19/6/2009 he received the following reply:

Dear Mr XXXX

Goverment planning guidance in Planning Policy Statement 25: Development and flood risk (PPS25) advises that Flood Risk Assessments should be carried out at all levels of the planning process to assess the risks of flooding from all forms of development. As part of the planning process, the applicant will have to demonstrate to the Environment Agency that the proposed development does not increase the risk of flooding to other properties  and that any risk of flooding is minimized.

In the circumstances I would advise you to bring your concerns about flooding on this site to the attention of the Environment Agency or Woking Borough Council.

Yours sincerely
BJ O’Keeffe
Surrey Planning Case Officer.

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Thanks.

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The letter itself is quite short and summarises a common view of the points of concern but the detail is actually listed in the Appendix of the document.

Heres how I suggest you use it:

• In your letter, reference the WCRA letter if you agree with the points we raise, i.e. say something like “I would also request that you take into account the official letter of response from WCRA” ;
• Feel free to review the appendix – picking out those points which support you personal letters of objection;
• Feel free to add the appendix to your letter;
• Remember to copy your letter of objection to your local councillor;
• Remember to copy your letter of objection to WCRA;
• Remember to submit your letter by tomorrow;
• Its helpful if you compose your own letter personalising it to your own situation;
• If you dont have time to review the WCRA letter in detail – remember its still worth sending a letter to Woking Borough Council, simply stating your opinion and personal viewpoint.

The WCRA letter is attached here:  WCRA Objection Letter v3

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3. Moor Lane Project: Access Planning Application Submitted The planning application for access to the site has been...

They are specifically looking for older properties (194os / 50s) and people who want to hear about the report.

I did a quick check on the web and unfortunately I have to report that they have featured on BBC Watchdog and been reported for trading standards for strong arm sales tactics targeted at older / vulnerable people.

Our advice is to avoid them.

If you are concerned about the exterior state of your building best to get 2-3 quotes from reputable companies registered with a governing body such as the Federation of Master Builders.

You have been warned!

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Dear Katie, thanks for copying me the detailed objections attached to your message below and for reminding me of the due application consultation response for the county highway authority (CHA).  In this reply I will firstly comment on the forwarded objections, then issue the CHA’s application response and then list other matters.

Comments on Objections
Application 09/0434, is for “The formation of 3 vehicular and pedestrian access points to reserved housing land at Moor Lane, Westfield”.  I also understand that the Moor Lane site does not have an extant planning permission for residential development, as planning permission was never actually issued for the 2006 planning application.  For the purposes of what I have written below for the CHA, the application appears to be solely to seek permission for three accesses to a potential housing site identified under saved policy HSG5 of the Woking Borough Local Plan 1999.  Therefore unless the LPA inform me otherwise, I assume that matters such as:
(a) the amount of development that may or may not be applied for on the Moor Lane site under later application(s), and

(b) The amount of development that may or may not be applied for from one, two or all of the proposed accesses under later application(s), and

(c) whether further or other access to the Moor Lane site may or may not be applied for under later application(s), and

(d) the adequacy of the existing transport system to be able to acceptably accommodate that amount of development on the Moor Lane site under later application(s), and

(e) the transport sustainability of the Moor Lane site against current policy and guidance,

are all outside the scope of this ‘access’ application.

The majority of the contents of the transport-related objections appear to be about matters that are outside the narrow purpose of the ‘access’ application that I have set out above.  Therefore whilst these transport-related comments are helpful background information, that I will retain on file for any future applications about the Moor Lane site, they are not directly relevant to the current ‘access’ application.

As above, please let me know if you interpret the purpose of the application differently to what I have written above.

CHA’s Response to Application 2009/0434
“Subject to the Site Access Transport Statement access drawings WBCMOORLANE2.1/07A, 08A, 09B including the following *minor revisions:
(a) I recommend that the drawings for the Westfield Way and Quartermaine Avenue accesses include uncontrolled crossings with flush drop kerbs and tactile blister paving.

(b) I recommend that Quartermaine Avenue access drawing WBCMOORLANE2.1/08A should indicate existing property access(es) made redundant by the application closed-up and reinstated.

(*Note, as these matters are of a minor nature, these revisions are not essential to enable the grant of planning permission)

The CHA has no highway capacity or highway safety objections to the proposed highway accesses and recommends that the following planning conditions and informatives be included on any permission granted.

Condition(s)
(A condition that the Newlands Avenue access be for pedestrian and cycle use and during emergencies only).

Reason: HR1 The above condition(s) is/are required in order that the development should not prejudice highway safety nor cause inconvenience to other highway users.

Policy: PPG13, MV6.

Informative(s)
HInf3 Design standards for the layout and construction of access roads and junctions, including the provision of visibility zones, shall be in accordance with the requirements of the County Highway Authority.

HInf5 The Highway Authority has no objection to the proposed development, subject to the above conditions but, if it is the applicant’s intention to offer any of the roadworks included in the application for adoption as maintainable highways, permission under the Town and Country Planning Act should not be construed as approval to the highway engineering details necessary for inclusion in an Agreement under Section 38 of the Highways Act 1980.

HInf13 The permission hereby granted shall not be construed as authority to carry out works on the highway. The applicant is advised that a licence must be obtained from the Highway Authority Local Transportation Service before any works are carried out on any footway, footpath, carriageway, verge or other land forming part of the highway.

HInf15 The developer is reminded that it is an offence to allow materials to be carried from the site and deposited on or damage the highway from uncleaned wheels or badly loaded vehicles. The Highway Authority will seek, wherever possible, to recover any expenses incurred in clearing, cleaning or repairing highway surfaces and prosecutes persistent offenders. (Highways Act 1980 Sections 131, 148, 149).

HInf23 The applicant is advised that as part of the detailed design of the highway works required by the above condition(s), the County Highway Authority may require necessary accommodation works to street lights, road signs, road markings, highway drainage, surface covers, street trees, highway verges, highway surfaces, surface edge restraints and any other street furniture/equipment.”

Other Information
Below for completeness I have repeated the body text of my 27May09 pre-registration comments on application 2009/0434.

Dear Paola, in reply to your 21May09 letter, I collected the pre-registration planning application papers from your reception yesterday.  I have briefly reviewed the papers and carried out a site visit, and have the following feedback for the county highway authority (CHA) on the papers.

Note that the Ecological Appraisal and Tree Survey Report are not matters for the CHA.

I advise that the Design & Access Statement should not refer to Surrey Structure Plan policy, because this plan is defunct following the release of the South East Plan.

I have not considered the Site Access Transport Statement (SATS) sections 2 ‘Site Accessibility’, 3 ‘Traffic Attraction & Initial Junction Modelling’, nor 4 ‘Access Options Appraisal’ (save as below), because these matters are not directly associated with the access application.

Under SATS paragraph 4.51-4.54, I recommend that the design of the Westfield Way access permits access by the construction vehicles that are likely to be associated with the construction of the development (and the route to Westfield Road be kept clear of on-street parking), unless a temporary construction access is proposed.

I have the following comments on the SATS access drawings WBCMOORLANE2.1/07A, 08A, 09B:

(a) I recommend that the drawings for the Westfield Way and Quartermaine Avenue accesses include uncontrolled crossings with flush drop kerbs and tactile blister paving.

(b) I recommend that Quartermaine Avenue access drawing WBCMOORLANE2.1/08A should indicate existing property access(es) made redundant by the application closed-up and reinstated.

For the CHA I am likely to make the following response on this application:

“The CHA has no highway capacity or highway safety objections to the proposed highway accesses and recommends that the following planning conditions and informatives be included on any permission granted.

Condition(s)
(A condition that the Newlands Avenue access be for pedestrian and cycle use and during emergencies only).

Reason: HR1 The above condition(s) is/are required in order that the development should not prejudice highway safety nor cause inconvenience to other highway users.

Policy: PPG13, MV6.

Informative(s)
HInf3 Design standards for the layout and construction of access roads and junctions, including the provision of visibility zones, shall be in accordance with the requirements of the County Highway Authority.

HInf5 The Highway Authority has no objection to the proposed development, subject to the above conditions but, if it is the applicant’s intention to offer any of the roadworks included in the application for adoption as maintainable highways, permission under the Town and Country Planning Act should not be construed as approval to the highway engineering details necessary for inclusion in an Agreement under Section 38 of the Highways Act 1980.

HInf13 The permission hereby granted shall not be construed as authority to carry out works on the highway. The applicant is advised that a licence must be obtained from the Highway Authority Local Transportation Service before any works are carried out on any footway, footpath, carriageway, verge or other land forming part of the highway.

HInf15 The developer is reminded that it is an offence to allow materials to be carried from the site and deposited on or damage the highway from uncleaned wheels or badly loaded vehicles. The Highway Authority will seek, wherever possible, to recover any expenses incurred in clearing, cleaning or repairing highway surfaces and prosecutes persistent offenders. (Highways Act 1980 Sections 131, 148, 149).

HInf23 The applicant is advised that as part of the detailed design of the highway works required by the above condition(s), the County Highway Authority may require necessary accommodation works to street lights, road signs, road markings, highway drainage, surface covers, street trees, highway verges, highway surfaces, surface edge restraints and any other street furniture/equipment.”

Regards
Greg Devine, Transportation Development Control Officer (Woking / Guildford)
Address. Surrey County Council, Room 365, County Hall, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2DY
Direct dial tel. 020 8541 7027
Fax. 020 8541 9335
E-mail. greg.devine@surreycc.gov.uk

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For those of you who need a reminder of where to send your objections to then please note the following:

1. All objections should quote the access planning application reference namely, PLAN/2009/0434.
2. Any views you wish to make on this application MUST be made in writing and can be submitted online, by letter or email.
3. Online comments are submitted via Woking Borough Councils online planning application (this only works with Internet Explorer v5.5 or higher. A  quick link can be found here:   http://caps.woking.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=KJVTWCRU01300
4. Email comments can be posted to developmentcontrol@woking.gov.uk.
5. Postal comments can be sent to:  Adrian Bishop, Borough Planning Officer, Woking Borough Council, Civic Offices, Gloucester Square, Woking, Surrey GU21 6YL. Please copy to Katie Dunk, Planning Officer.
6. Please also send a copy of yor comments to WCRA and to your local councillor.

• WCRA Contact Address: Chairman, WCRA, 8 Moor Lane, Woking, GU22 9QY
• Councillor Derek McCrum (Kingfield & Westfield Ward): Sunnymeads, Westfield Common, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NT.  01483 772735. cllrderek.mccrum@woking.gov.uk
• Councillor Stewart Brown (Kingfield & Westfield Ward): 19 Mabel Street, Woking, Surrey, GU21 6NN.  07847 059959.  cllrstewart.brown@woking.gov.uk
• Councillor Simon Bellord (Mayford & Sutton Green Ward): Flat 1 Tetten Hall, West Hill Road, Woking, Surrey, GU22 7UJ. 01483 767865. cllrsimon.bellord@woking.gov.uk

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Summary of Findings

• the excessive distance to nearby bus stops, and hence non-compliance with government policy documents PPG13 and PPS3 which require new development to be sustainable and readily accessible to public bus transport;
• the vehicular capacity of the Westfield Road / Balfour Avenue junction which has been analysed using incorrectly assigned development traffic, and without forecasting to realistic future year scenarios (year 2006 analysed);
• questionable interpretation of PICADY output data, despite the output being based on incorrect input data;
• further concern over other nearby junctions, such as the Balfour Avenue /Westfield Common junction, where the proposed development is likely to have a significant impact;
• misleading statements regarding the width of vehicular access to the development site which do not consider the width of existing roads leading to the development and their associated vehicular capacity.

The report can be downloaded here: 2803_TS_Review

Kerry has offered to provide print copies tonight between the hours of  7:30pm and 8:30pm only.

Please contact her at: kerry@willow-bank.org.uk to make the arrangements.

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A copy of meeting presentation slides can be obtained below:

1. View Online (Requires Flash)

2. Download

WCRA Public Meeting Presentation – 5th June 09

The association was formally ratified and the constitution was unanimously voted for adoption.

The following officers were duly and unanimously elected to serve an initial one year term of office:

• Chair – Bill Corney
• Secretary – Nicola Cull
• Treasurer – Stuart Goldup.

A total of £475 was donated by attendees comprising membership fees and voluntary donations.

A big thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the night a big success!

The minutes of the meeting are shown below:

Minutes of Residents’ Meeting

Held on 5th June 2009 at Moorcroft Centre.

Chaired by Bill Corney

1. Introduction

Bill opened the meeting, welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending. He explained that everyone at the meeting was an honorary member for the night and had the right to vote.

He explained the reasons for setting up the association and explained that the constitution was available for people to read on the website. He asked for the name, the association and the constitution to be ratified by those present and this was agreed unanimously. Bill stressed that the association would be non – political and would exist to represent the views of members on a range of issues.

2. Election of Officers

Bill asked for nominations for the three vacant roles of Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. Bill offered to stand as Chair, was nominated and unanimously elected. Stuart offered to stand as Treasurer, was nominated and unanimously elected and Nicola Cull offered to stand as Secretary, was nominated and unanimously elected. Thanks to the three of them for standing and their names will be published on the website.

3. Street Representatives

A number of people have already volunteered to act as street representatives and their names will appear on the website along with the names of roads where reps are still needed. These people will be a local point of contact for distributing newsletters and providing verbal updates to residents. Anyone wishing to become a street rep should contact Bill or Nicola.

4. Membership Fees

Bill asked residents whether they would be prepared to pay a fee of £10 per household and £5 for a single person household /concession. The majority of people indicated that they thought this was reasonable. People were asked to complete application forms if they had not done so on line and wished to join. A large number of people opted to join and paid fees to the Treasurer at the end of the meeting. The fees will not be used to cover officers’ expenses ( ! ) but will be used to cover printing costs, use of consultants and room hire ( £55 for tonight ). The Treasurer will publish records of income and expenditure.

5. Moor Lane Development

Bill outlined the known facts regarding the proposed housing development north of Moor Lane (the structure of which is shown on the attached presentation). The PFI grant to Woking Council is £43M.

The meeting moved on to discuss the proposed Moor Lane development. Bill asked for a show of hands to indicate who was opposed to the development. The response indicated an opposition of about 80%.

The meeting considered whether there had been proper consultation in 2006 and whether it was worth challenging the approval, perhaps by holding a meeting with the planning officers.

A lively Q&A session then ensued, with both questions and answers from the floor.

6. Membership Enrollment

The final part of the meeting was the formal enrolment of members and payment of membership fees to the Treasurer.

A total of £475 was raised on the evening comprising £385 in subs (from 41 households) and a further £90 in voluntary donations.

7. AGM

The AGM will take place on or around 5th June 2010.

8.  AOB

All matters having been considered the meeting was adjourned.  Thanks to all who attended and contributed.

Related posts:

1. Kickoff Meeting to reconstitute the residents’ association A planning kick-off meeting was held on the 1st May...
2. Meeting Announcement: Friday 26th June 2009 A meeting of the WCRA Committee and Street Representatives will...
3. Meeting Announcement: 25 June 2010 The WCRA Committee and Street Representatives will be meeting Jonathon...

Please come along if you can

If you are coming then please bring / remind your neighbours and any contacts who dont have email or web access.

We look forward to a record turnout.

Related posts:

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2. Meeting Announcement: 25 June 2010 The WCRA Committee and Street Representatives will be meeting Jonathon...
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• Why Moor Lane was discounted as an access route?
• Why the proposed Westfield Way route (12b) was selected?
• What was the likely sequence of road access development?
• What happens to the displaced residents of the demolished council houses?

A transcript of the reply is shown below and a pdf of the reply can be downloaded by clicking on the link here:

To:

Mr Bill Corney

Acting Chair

Westfield Common Residents Association

From:

Civic Offices

Gloucester Square

Woking

Surrey GU21 6YL

Telephone (01483) 755855

Facsimile (01483) 768746

DX 2931 WOKING

Email wokbc@woking.gov.uk

Website www.woking.gov.uk

2nd June 2009

Dear Mr Corney

RE: Moor Lane Development

Thank you for your email dated 22nd May 2009 regarding the above proposed development. We have addressed each of your queries separately as follows.

Question:

Access from Moor Lane (option 1) – The application discounts use of Moor Lane due to 3rd party land ownership issues.

Could you elaborate on this matter please? Is the issue that ownership is uncertain or cannot be determined in which case the Council is unable to progress or is the issue that, this would add too much delay or cost to be worth progressing, i.e. via land searches and compulsory land acquisition. This point is significant in that the outline planning application identified this as one of the feasible routes in and therefore a number of residents expectations have been therefore disconfirmed.

Answer:

The County Highways Authority (CHA) would require significant changes to Moor Lane for it to be used as a major access to the site.

Some of the land required to achieve the necessary road structure is not in the Council’s ownership and would require a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) of 3rd party land. Indeed, it is unclear who owns some of the land. Added to this, if there is a viable alternative it would be difficult to justify a CPO.

To avoid this situation, Mayer Brown, an external highways consultant, was commissioned by the Council to assess whether there are other viable options using land already within the Council’s control. The study has shown that there is at least one feasible alternative, removing the need to use Moor Lane as a main access, while satisfying the CHA requirements.

Question:

Access from Westfield Way (options 9 a/b vs. 12b) – Can you elaborate?

Is option 12b favoured because this does not cause displacement of existing residents that would be incurred via either option 9a/b?

Answer:

Options 9a and 9b would have indeed caused more disturbance to the residents than Option 12b, not only to those in the houses that would have had to be demolished, but also to those Westfield residents west of 9a and 9b accesses.

Question:

Access from Quartermaine (option 5) – In terms of construction / displacement of current residents.

Is it intended that this access route will be created at the later stages of the development i.e. after construction of phase 1 of the site.

Answer:

The details of the phases will form part of the bidders proposals and are yet unknown.

Question:

Do the existing residents of these dwellings (which I understand to be council residents) then get priority in the housing register for housing allocation in the new site?

Answer:

The existing residents will get priority on the housing register. Vacant possession and demolition of their houses will have to be achieved before Financial Close in September 2010.

We will be holding another public consultation during Autumn 2009. Details of the consultation will be made available to residents closer to the time. Your name has been added to our list of interested parties and we will ensure that you are made aware of the date.

We hope we have helped in some way to answer your queries. The Council will continue to keep residents informed as the project progresses. If you would like further information regarding Priority Homes please refer to Woking Borough Council’s website at www.woking.gov.uk/priorityhomes or call 01483 743891.

Yours sincerely,

Priority Homes Team

Related posts:

1. Housing Site – Is Access from Moor Lane likely? Copy of an letter from Priority Homes in response to...
2. **Planning Application to determine Access** According to this email from Woking Council the access planning...
3. Access Application in Pipeline Access Application Officer Appointed – Katie Dunk From: Daniel Freeland...

Moor Lane c1950

• You can clearly see the two conker trees either side of the lane (quite clearly coppiced in this picture).
• No white lines seperating New Lane and Moor Lane (clearly Health & Safety had yet to rear its head).

Related posts:

1. Plea to bring back Moor Lane island As featured in the February 28, 2009 edition of the...
2. Roe Deer on Moor Lane There is a large resident population of Roe Deer in...
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Fast Facts

• In the background we can see the familiar row of Rosebank cottages.
• This was prior to the construction of 1-15 Moor Lane.
• This view is not possible today as the trees and shrubs have matured in the 90 years since this photograph was taken.
• The pond has long since disappeared.

Rosebank Cottages c1920

Related posts:

1. Car Stolen from Rosebank Cottages Message from Maurice: On August 25th about 22:30 hrs my...
2. Moor Lane c1950 Another interesting snaps from local resident Alan showing a view...
3. Moor Lane Housing Development: Were you notified? In May 2006 there should have been detailed notification of...

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

Related posts:

1. Green Belt – Emerging Policies One of of readers recently emailed Woking Borough Council concerning...
2. South Woking Greenbelt threatened? Please find attached the press release, ‘South East Plan welcomed...
3. Surrey green belt at risk from housing plans Interesting article published on Get Surrey stating that the green...

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

Related posts:

1. Greenbelt Review – More One of of readers recenly emailed Woking Borough Council concerning...
2. Surrey green belt at risk from housing plans Interesting article published on Get Surrey stating that the green...
3. South Woking Greenbelt threatened? Please find attached the press release, ‘South East Plan welcomed...

Vanessa Glynn
Woking Borough Council

1 June 2009

<http://www.woking.gov.uk>

Dear Mr Corney,
Thank you for your request for information which has been forwarded to
me by our Customer Services Team.

I am writing to inform you that Surrey County Council are the Commons
Registration Authority for this area. Therefore, your request for
information should be directed to their office.

Their contact details are as follows:

Commons Registration Office
Surrey County Council
Room 137
County Hall
Penrhyn Road
Kingston Upon Thames
KT1 2DN

Tel: 020 8541 9088
E Mail: [email address]

Yours sincerely,

Vanessa Glynn
Valuation Services
Asset Management
Woking Borough Council

________________________________

From: Bill Corney [mailto:[FOI #12536 email]]
Sent: Thu 28/05/2009 11:54
To: Comments
Subject: Freedom of Information request – Westfield Common – Common Land
Registration Information

Dear Sir or Madam,

As the Commons Registration Authority, for Westfield Common, Woking
(Common Land registration number CL121) I would be grateful if you
could supply the following information:

* Land – A description of the land, who registered it and when the
registration became finally registered.

* Rights – A description of the rights of common, over which area
of the common they are exercisable, the name of the person (the
‘commoner’) who holds those rights, and whether the rights arise by
virtue of a separate land ownership by the commoner (i.e. they
‘attach’ to land).

* Ownership – Details of owners of common land.

Yours faithfully,

William B. Corney

Related posts:

1. FOI Request – Responses to Consultation on Proposed Exchange of Common Land at Westfield Common A Freedom of Information request to Woking Borough Council. Bill...
2. Common Land – Statutory Protection Westfield Common is registered as CL121 in the Common Land...
3. Common Land – Official Register We have obtained an official entry for Westfield Common (CL...

Just goes to show that we are correct to be concerned about flooding.  Will houses on this site be insurable?

Related posts:

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2. Flooding Risks Woking Borough Council publishes a series of detailed maps that...
3. More Flooding on Proposed Development Site Photographs of flooding on proposed housing development site - 17...

• Application Form
• Application Submission
• Location Plan
• Design & Access Statement
• Site Access Transport Statement
• Ecological Appraisal
• Tree Report

These are as per the copies posted by WBC onto their public planning portal (21st May 2009).

All rights acknowledged.

Related posts:

1. The new access application A 2nd planning application for the “Moor Lane” site has...
2. More Access Planning Docs Three new technical submission docs have been posted onto WBC’s...
3. Moor Lane Project: Access Planning Application Submitted The planning application for access to the site has been...

A map showing the registered area is shown below:

Development of Common Land is protected by statutory law, the most relevant laws are:

• Section 38 of the 2006 Act requires that consent be sought to carry out  restricted works on land registered as common land under the Commons Registration Act 1965.  Restricted works are any that prevent or impede access to or over the land. They include fencing, buildings, structures, ditches, trenches, embankments and other works, where the effect of those works is to prevent or impede access. They also include, in every case, new solid surfaces.
• Under the Law of Property Act 1925 (Section 194) it is unlawful to construct buildings, erect fences, or carry out any other works which prevent access to common land unless the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has given permission.
• Under the Law of Commons Amendment Act 1893 (Section 2) Any inclosure or improvement of a common (removal of common rights and enclosure of the land) is not lawful unless the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has granted permission.
• Road Traffic Act 1988 (Section 34) -This makes it unlawful for a person to drive a motor vehicle on any common land (as well as some other types of land ) without lawful authority.

Related posts:

1. Common Land – Official Register We have obtained an official entry for Westfield Common (CL...
2. Westfield Common – Registration FOI Request update FYI – copy of response of FOI request to establish...
3. Open Spaces Society Object to Common Land Swap Open Spaces Society Object to Common Land Swap...

Interpretation is as follows:

• Class A – Retention is a high priority.
• Class B – Retention is a moderate priority.
• Class C – Retention is a low priority.

Related posts:

1. Moor Lane Horse Chestnut Tree Information for residents regarding the Horse Chestnut Tree outside no....
2. Pollarding of Conker Tree Pollarding of Conker tree to carried out on 16 Nov...
3. More Quick Calculations Based on census / survey data some quick calculations to...

Planning permission has been requested for 3 routes:

• Option 3 – Through the southern end of Newlands Avenue (emergency access only)
• Option 5 – Through demolished 3 & 5 Quartermaine Avenue
• Option 12b – South side of Westfield Way.

See map below (click for larger view).  The routes are shown in red:

Related posts:

1. Letter from Priority Homes – Access Clarification WCRA requested clarification from Woking Borough Council on the motivation...
2. Access Application – Letters of Objection / Concern (summary) Based on a review of the submission letters posted to...
3. Moor Lane Project: Access Planning Application Submitted The planning application for access to the site has been...

• The development will increase the amount of surface water from the site
• It is proposed that surface water will be collected in balancing ponds and discharged to existing ditches on the east of the site!
• Foul water for the site will be pushed through existing sewers. No review of the existing sewers capacity was carried out at the time.

A map of the existing sewers is shown below:

Foul Water will either drain via gravity to the existing sewers or will be pumped to the south most likely to into node 5101 (see map below for a zoom into the relevant node).

All rights acknowledged.

Related posts:

1. Flooding Risks Woking Borough Council publishes a series of detailed maps that...
2. Water Drilling – Housing Site Did you know that in April / May a survey team...
3. Housing Site Flooded – 27-28 Feb 2010 Like all residents in the area, you probably experienced a...

Related posts:

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2. Access Application – Letters of Objection / Concern (summary) Based on a review of the submission letters posted to...
3. Deadline for Objections to Access Application No. 2 Title: Deadline for Objections to Access Application No. 2 Location:...

The SFRA examines the causes, transmission mechanisms and effects of flooding as per the diagram below:

I have downloaded and attached the specific maps for our area covering:

• Environment Agency Flood Map – AppendixB1_DRG04
• Detailed Map of River Flooding – AppendixC_DRG04
• Flood Depth Mapping – AppendixD1_DRG04
• Sources of Flooding – Overloaded Sewers – AppendixE1_DRG04
• Sources of Flooding – Surface Water Sewers – AppendixE2_DRG04
• Sources of Flooding – Foul Water Sewers – AppendixE3_DRG04
• Sources of Flooding – Combined Sewers – AppendixE4_DRG04

So what does this tell us?  Well…

1. the eastern part of the proposed development site is part of the functional flood plain with the highest risk of flooding from existing water courses;
2. The western part of the site falls within an area with the highest incidents of flooding from overloading from existing sewers (i.e. the sewer infrastucture needs upgrading);
3. The eastern part of the site falls within Flood Zone 2 & 3 and have a medium or high risk of flooding.

All sites in Flood Zones 2 and 3 will require a site specific Flood Risk Assessment The application of the Sequential Test at these sites must demonstrate that there are no reasonably alternative sites within areas at lower risk of flooding. Following application of the Sequential Test and the demonstration that there are no reasonably available alternative sites in areas at lower risk of flooding, some sites in these zones may require the application of the Exception Test, depending on the vulnerability of the proposed development to flooding to demonstrate that the sites are safe and do not exacerbate the flooding situation – Source: Woking Borough Council SFRA.

Related posts:

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2. Water Drilling – Housing Site Did you know that in April / May a survey team...
3. Water Drainage The high-level flood risk assessment submitted with the Outline Planning...

Based on census / survey data some quick calculations to work out the number of children, cars, densisty etc.

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It seems that there are a number of different factors in play:

• Established “rights of way” across the Common to Moor Lane.
• Third party land of unclear ownership.
• Third party land in ownership of known organisations that would be required for access.

These bits of land run across the common including a strip running parallel to Moor Lane where it joins the common – currently marked out by the wooden stakes / and drainage ditches.

In English Common Law there is a court ruling associated with a case called Stokes Vs. Cambridge whereby it was established that where a third party landowner controls a piece of land that is essential to a development (usually the point of access) the land should be valued at a third of the profit from the development (the enhanced site), i.e. these bits of land are worth a lot of money.

So this generates two issues:

a) Lots of money for access where ownership is known and the land is used for access.

b) Prohibitive insurance to cater for a later demand for money when an owner turns up asking for his money.

I am not a lawyer / planning consultant so this is probably a fairly crude explanation – If I find out more I will post it up / modify this article.

Related posts:

1. Housing Site – Is Access from Moor Lane likely? Copy of an letter from Priority Homes in response to...
2. Moor Lane Housing Development: Woking Council Links For those unaware WBC has published some information on the...
3. Common Land – Statutory Protection Westfield Common is registered as CL121 in the Common Land...

An electronic copy is attached below for those that cant wait!

1. View online (requires flash)
[issuu viewmode=presentation layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Fcolor%2Flayout.xml backgroundcolor=FFFFFF showflipbtn=true documentid=110513185905-9c667642baf04125983ef681482ab1f5 docname=wcra_newsletter-1-_may_2009 username=westfieldcommon loadinginfotext=WCRA%20Newsletter%20%7C%201%20%7C%20May%202009 showhtmllink=true tag=wcra width=150 height=212 unit=px]

2. Download

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The application ref is PLAN/2009/0434

Proposal:  Formation of three vehicular and pedestrian access points to reserved housing land at Moor Lane, Westfield.

Location: Formation Of Three Vehicular And Pedestrian Access Points At Balfour Avenue, Quartermaine Avenue And Westfield Way, Woking, Surrey, Woking, Surrey.

Access is through 3 & 5 Quartermaine

Deadline for written comments / objections 11 June 2009.

The application may be available on the Woking Planning Portal tonight.

Quick link to WBC planning portal (N.B. Opens new browser window) Click here

Text of notification letter attached below:

Civic Offices Gloucester Square Woking Surrey  GU21 6YL Telephone (01483) 755855 Facsimile (01483) 768746 DX 2931 WOKING Email wokbc@woking.gov.uk Website www.woking.gov.uk

21 May 2009                                         THIS IS NOT A CIRCULAR

Dear Sir/Madam

NEIGHBOUR NOTIFICATION LETTER – APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION

Reference:	PLAN/2009/0434                                   Application Type: Full Planning Application
Proposal:	Formation of three vehicular and pedestrian access points to reserved housing land at Moor Lane, Westfield.
Location:	Formation Of Three Vehicular And Pedestrian Access Points At Balfour Avenue, Quartermaine Avenue And Westfield Way, Woking, Surrey, Woking, Surrey

The above planning application has been received by the Council.  If you wish to view details of the application, including plans, these will usually be available to view and print online approximately three working days from the date of this letter.  You should be able to use any computer with Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.5 or later to access these details on http://caps.woking.gov.uk/publicaccess/.  (The notes enclosed with this letter give more information about online access.)

Once the application details are available online you can visit the Civic Offices between 9am and 4.45pm, Mondays to Fridays (Bank Holidays excluded) to view them at one of our public terminals.  We are no longer providing paper plans for this purpose.  A member of our Customer Service Team will be available to assist you.  Please bring this letter with you as it contains the application number.

Any views you wish to make on the above proposal must be in writing.  They may be submitted online, by letter or email (developmentcontrol@woking.gov.uk) to the case officer by 11 June 2009.  Please help us to record your response by quoting the above application number.  Letters received outside this period will be taken into account if a decision has not already been made.  Whilst comments made will be acknowledged and summarised in the officer report (or orally if received after the report has been completed) it is not normal practice to enter into correspondence.  The leaflet enclosed provides contact details and explains in more detail how to comment on an application, about the process that will be followed in making a decision and details about rights for objectors (and the applicant) to address the Committee should the decision be one that will be made by the Planning Committee.  All who make comment on an application will be advised of the Council’s decision in due course.

Personally sensitive information: This applies to any type of communication about an application, e.g. letters, emails, etc. sent to the Council from neighbours or other interested parties: please bear in mind that any information you send to the Council in respect of applications for planning permission cannot be treated as confidential and will be available for public inspection either at the Civic Centre or on our website which will be viewable by anyone using the Internet.  If you consider any information to be “personally sensitive” – such as ex-directory phone numbers, etc. – please do not put such information in any documents you submit to the Council.

If you have any queries please contact the officer dealing with this application, Katie Dunk on 01483 743729 quoting the planning application reference PLAN/2009/0434.

Yours faithfully,

Adrian Bishop

Borough Planning Officer                                                                                                                                                                    NC1

Related posts:

1. Moor Lane Project: Outline Planning Application 2006 – Objections! In the outline planning application that was submitted for the...
2. **Planning Application to determine Access** According to this email from Woking Council the access planning...
3. WCRA Objection letter – Access Application No 1 Attached is the current draft of the WCRA response letter...

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The important point to remember is that sometimes the planning applications are assessed on narrow technical grounds rather than on some of the wider concerns that you may have so in order to object in an effective way you need to make salient and relevant arguments.

In order to do this effectively it helps if you have some guidelines. Below are some handy guides courtesy of Planning Aid, Urban Forum & the Environmental Law foundation which provide a useful starting point.

All rights acknowledged.

Related posts:

1. How to fight Council Planning Applications A series of blog articles featuring one persons experiences in...
2. Guide to the WBC Planning Register In this article we show how to find, navigate and...
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Here is a quick guide on how to use it.

Begin

1. Goto the planning register site.
2. Click on “Planning”.
3. Click on “Application Search” or “Property Search” or “Application Weekly List”

Application Search

1. Enter Application Reference – in the case of the outline planning application for the proposed housing development north of Moor Lane enter “PLAN/2006/0399″.
2. Click on <Search>.
3. Click on <Click to view>.
4. Click through the tabs to view information – in particular “Associated Documents”
5. Click on <View Associated Documents> and this will take you through to another portal where you can view site plans, surveys, and other planning documents (works in IE browsers only).

Property Search

Works in a similar way:

1. Enter Street Name, e.g. Moor Lane and then press <enter>
2. System displays addresses.
3. Select and address and press <Click to view details>
4. Details are displayed.

Application Weekly List

1. Select Week
2. Select <validated> or <approved>
3. Hit <View List>
4. Relevant applications are displayed.

Related posts:

1. Access – Planning Officer Report Published The report is attached (click on this link Planning Officer Report)...
2. Moor Lane Project: Access Planning Application Submitted The planning application for access to the site has been...
3. Access Planning Application Documents For those struggling to find or download the documents here...

We often get asked for advice regarding how to respond to Council Planning Applications and we try our best to provide advice as and when requested.

Attached below are links to an interesting and insightful series of blog articles on an individuals experience fighting a council planning application.

Its a worthwhile read to find out a little bit more about whats involved.

• Part 1 – Sunmission of Planning Application
• Part 2 – The Planning Committee Meeting
• Part 3 – The Planning Decision
• Part 4 – The Ombudsman

Related posts:

1. How to object to Planning Applications Planning Applications can be quite complex and unfortunately unless you...
2. Guide to the WBC Planning Register In this article we show how to find, navigate and...
3. **Planning Application to determine Access** According to this email from Woking Council the access planning...

Map & Policies

Related posts:

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Clearly most were concerned about the impact of the proposed housing development north of Moor Lane (42%), the general threat to our living environment and countryside location (urbanisation, quality of life, threat to rural character was next (24%), 3rd on the list was traffic and access issues (17%), followed by lack of ammenities (11%) and a fear of crime / community disharmony (6%).

What do you think?

Related posts:

1. Wildlife: Smooth Newt Spotted in Moor Lane on the 19th April. Conservation status...
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From: Daniel Freeland
Sent: 18 May 2009 15:26
To:
Cc: Katie Dunk
Subject: FW: Moor Lane Access application

Dear

We have today received an application for access to the Moor Lane site. The application is being checked for validity. If it is valid, it will be registered and all the information received will be available for inspection via the Council’s website within the next couple of days.

Katie Dunk (01483 743729) is to be the Planning Case Officer.

I trust this is of assistance.

Regards,

Dan Freeland

East Area Team Supervisor.

Related posts:

1. Moor Lane Project: Access Planning Application Submitted The planning application for access to the site has been...
2. **Planning Application to determine Access** According to this email from Woking Council the access planning...
3. Access Application – Who to write to Here at WCRA we are still formulating the official letter...

18 May 2009

South East Plan welcomed by council

Woking Borough Council has given a cautious welcome to the final South East Plan, which was published by the Government on 6 May.

The South East Plan sets out the region’s planning framework to 2026 and its strategy and policies will affect future planning decisions in Woking. It forms part of the development plan for Woking, which means that the Borough Council’s planning policies set out in the Woking Local Development Framework must be in line with it.

Much of the South East Plan remains the same as the previous version published during the summer of 2008, which set out the Secretary of State’s Proposed Changes to the draft Plan following the Examination in Public and the report of the Panel of Inspectors the year before.

Headlines for Woking

Annual housing target

Woking’s annual housing target remains 292 new homes a year, as set out in the Proposed Changes version published during 2008. 

The regional housing target has been trimmed back from 33,125 new homes each year to 32,700, with a few districts and boroughs seeing a slight reduction in their housing targets.  The Government maintains that the number of households in the South East is growing rapidly with supply lagging behind and affordability worsening, and although it acknowledges the current difficulties in the housing market it stresses the importance of keeping up with the rise in demand and providing more homes.

More/ The final version…

The final version of the South East Plan makes one very important change to the housing targets. Instead of setting ‘minimum’ targets, as in the Proposed Changes last year, the South East Plan now sets them as ‘average annual’ targets. The former use of minimum targets made it difficult to understand what the actual level of housing to be delivered in an area would be, and seemed to give a green light to much higher levels of housing delivery. The Council, along with other local authorities, strongly objected to this approach due to the pressure that this would put on the area’s high environmental quality and its infrastructure.

Cllr Graham Cundy, Woking Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning, said: “We are pleased that the Government has taken notice of our concerns and we welcome the much more sensible approach to housing targets set out in the final South East Plan. In the current economic climate, meeting the annual housing target for Woking will be a challenge, but I am pleased to say that even in the last difficult year for the development industry Woking’s target of 292 new homes was met.”

Growth strategy and infrastructure

The South East Plan’s strategy to concentrate growth in the region’s hubs, including five strategic development areas in an arc from South Hampshire through Oxford to Milton Keynes in the north of the region, remains unchanged.

Woking remains identified as a regional hub because of its highly accessible location in relation to the rail network, importance as an economic centre and its potential to accommodate growth in a sustainable way. The Town Centre remains identified in the Plan as a centre for significant change due to its growth and redevelopment potential.

Woking’s status as a regional hub and the town centre’s identification as a centre for significant change is supported by the Council and reflected in its own approach. This status should provide greater access to regional funding for infrastructure improvements, for example, on the road and rail networks.

More/ However, the Council…

However, the Council is disappointed that the final version of the South East Plan does not reinstate the conditional approach to infrastructure provision that was a feature of the original plan. Instead it sets out that where new development creates a need for additional infrastructure, a programme of delivery should be agreed before development begins.

Where new homes will go

However, as before, 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.  It does not say that the Green Belt around Woking must be reviewed and it does not say that Green Belt protection is being removed for land in Woking Borough or any other area in the South East.  The Plan is more prescriptive about the need to review the Green Belt to the north-east of Guildford and in the area of the former DERA site at Chertsey but any decisions about changing the Green Belt boundary will be taken at the local level.

The main reason why the South East Plan mentions the south of Woking is because of the internationally important Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area to the north, which places some restrictions on new development in the interests of protecting the habitat of three species of ground-nesting bird.

The Borough Council is in the process of completing two major housing studies which will provide a great deal of information about what size, type and tenure of housing is needed and demanded in the Borough, and also the location of potential sites for future housing development. The studies will help to inform where new homes will go as the Council will need to ensure that the right size, type and tenure of housing is provided in the right location at the right time, with the necessary supporting infrastructure.

More/ It is only…

It is only after these studies and several other important supporting studies have been completed that the Council will be in a position to consult local people on the choices that will need to be made about where new development should be built.

For further information about the South East Plan, please contact:

• Kathy O’Leary, Planning Policy Manager, Woking Borough Council, on 01483 743427 or email kathy.oleary@woking.gov.uk
• Government Office for the South East (GOSE) at www.gose.gov.uk
• South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) at www.south-east-ra.gov.uk

ENDS (840)

For further information, contact Woking Borough Council’s Marketing Communications Officer, Andy Denner, on 01483 743026 or email andy.denner@woking.gov.uk

What do you think are the implications for the WCRA area?

Related posts:

1. Greenbelt Review – More One of of readers recenly emailed Woking Borough Council concerning...
2. Green Belt – Emerging Policies One of of readers recently emailed Woking Borough Council concerning...
3. Moor Lane Housing Development: Woking Council Links For those unaware WBC has published some information on the...

Related posts:

1. Moor Lane Project: Outline Planning Application 2006 – Objections! In the outline planning application that was submitted for the...
2. **Planning Application to determine Access** According to this email from Woking Council the access planning...
3. Planning Committee – Transcript of the WCRA Speech For those who were unable to attend the meeting, here...

Interesting eh?

Of course in fairness to WBC, the policy might have been changed and the algorithm for calculating the figures might be more complex.  It would be good to know how they arrive at these figures.

Related posts:

1. Moor Lane Housing Project: Other Interesting Points Did you know that in the outline planning proposal for...
2. Moor Lane Housing Development: Were you notified? In May 2006 there should have been detailed notification of...
3. Housing Development: Bidder Presentations – 21 Mar 09 Residents express big doubts over proposed housing development scheme....

• Three acres of outdoor playing space should be provided to included children’s play area and a full size pitch for ball games.
• The site can accommodate approximately 200 dwellings in total.
• Two sides of the site have rural boundaries and it is important that the form and layout of housing respects this context.
• Houses should be of traditional pitched roof design not exceeding two storeys.
• The layout should make best use of existing features such as trees and hedgerows.
• …highway improvements will be required to adjoining roads, and at their junction with Westfield Road.  This will require the replacement of a small amount of Common Land.
• …the site can accommodate approximately 200 dwellings overall (Note: this would equate to a density of 20.5 d.p.h.).
• SCC Highways raise the issue of the impact of likely traffic movements on the highways network. Their considerations are based on an assumed level of development at 30-50dph and indicate that the likely traffic flows from this level of development may have a significant impact.
• SCC Highways advise that increasing travel demand on the existing highway and public transport system, through development without investment, is unsustainable.
• SCC’s Schools Place Planning Group note that they are currently reviewing school place provision in Woking (and south Woking in particular) with a view to reducing the number of places because of falling rolls.
• The Environment Agency has been consulted on the application and has raised objections on the basis that insufficient information has been submitted on this matter to enable the EA to determine the ecological impacts of the proposals, there is no assessment of flood risk on the site.
• The EA has concerns regarding the principle of residential development on the basis that there may be an increase in the number of residents in the floodplain and the development may consequently increase flood risk elsewhere. Furthermore they consider that the generation of surface water runoff from a housing development covering up to 9.75Ha of currently greenfield land is likely to increase the risk of flooding downstream of the development.
• Policy REC2 of the Local Plan requires the provision of recreational open space, ancillary buildings and car parking to be provided as part of any residential development of Moor Lane. It states that, assuming a development of approximately 200 dwellings giving rise to around 500 persons, the proposal would need to provide a Local Equipped Area for Play of 0.36ha and a pitch of 0.8ha. In the event that the actual number of dwellings approved is significantly higher, additional open space would be required. [Editor - So for 500 houses, read 1250 people, Play Areas of 0.9ha, pitch of 2ha]
• The Local Plan notes that, as part of the Design Notes for Site 13/H, “two sides of the site have rural boundaries and it is important that the form and layout of housing respects this context. Houses should be of traditional pitched roof design not exceeding two storeys.”
• English Nature is of the opinion that any new residential development within 5km of the SPA could have a significant effect leading to an adverse impact [Ed: e.g. Whitmoor Common]

Do you think these points have been addressed so far?

Related posts:

1. Moor Lane Project: Outline Planning Application 2006 – Objections! In the outline planning application that was submitted for the...
2. Moor Lane Housing Development: Woking Council Links For those unaware WBC has published some information on the...
3. Housing Site – Is Access from Moor Lane likely? Copy of an letter from Priority Homes in response to...

Total views: 358

Average visitors per day: 25

Audience up by: +369.55%

Related posts:

1. Week 1: Website News Just a quick update on visitor history for the 1st...
2. Website Changes Finally got around to making some more of the website...

- – Email – -

From: priorityhomes@woking.gov.uk>
to:
date:    Thu, May 14, 2009 at 11:26 AM
subject: RE: Moor Lane Development

The planning application to determine access is due to be submitted early next week.  Once the application is submitted and validated, the local residents will be notified by post and you will be able to express your views on the application within a statutory 3 week period.

The remaining timetable for the project is unchanged.

Kind regards
Priority Homes Team
Woking Borough Council
www.woking.gov.uk/priorityhomes
01483 743891

Related posts:

1. Moor Lane Project: Access Planning Application Submitted The planning application for access to the site has been...
2. Access Application in Pipeline Access Application Officer Appointed – Katie Dunk From: Daniel Freeland...
3. Access Application – Who to write to Here at WCRA we are still formulating the official letter...

So I had a look at the map for our general area:

Before

Now lets turn on the flood maps…

after

We are potentially an island!

But lets not worry because its a 1:1000 chance of occuring.

That sounds like long odds until you factor in the impact of flooding if there is an increased level of building and concrete hard surfaces deposited in the area.  So what will happen then?

Im not sure but remembering these scenes from a few years ago do any of us really want to find out?

Flooding in Moor Lane

More flooding in Moor Lane

Related posts:

1. Flooding Risks Woking Borough Council publishes a series of detailed maps that...
2. More Flooding on Proposed Development Site Photographs of flooding on proposed housing development site - 17...
3. Flooding Zones Environment Agency maps show housing site is a flooding risk....

Related posts:

1. Green Belt – Emerging Policies One of of readers recently emailed Woking Borough Council concerning...
2. South Woking Greenbelt threatened? Please find attached the press release, ‘South East Plan welcomed...
3. Greenbelt Review – More One of of readers recenly emailed Woking Borough Council concerning...

Aerial photo of Gresham Press Site

Information can be found here:

http://www.gallifordtry.co.uk/infrastructure/renewable-energy/consultancy/gresham-press/

Related posts:

1. Open Spaces Society Press Release The Open Spaces Society (OSS) have published a press release...
2. Housing Development: Bidder Presentations – 21 Mar 09 Residents express big doubts over proposed housing development scheme....
3. Review of the bidder presentations – Disappointment For those of you unaware there was a presentation by...

- – - Extract – - -

REPRESENTATIONS

24 letters of objection have been received including one from Moor Lane Residents’ Association. They raise the following matters:

1. The rural setting of the area will be ruined.
2. Wildlife/Protected Species concerns
3. The road [Moor Lane] is too small. Works to improve the road would cause pollution and possible structural damage to nearby houses.
4. Brookwood Farm is better suited for development.
5. Infrastructure concerns – shops, water provision, police, drainage, schools and medical facilities
6. Social problems arising from high density of social housing
7. Little evidence of investigation of alternative brownfield sites
8. Flooding concerns.
9. Concern at traffic generation and its impact on road safety
10. Objection to demolition of existing houses on the site
11. Density and intensity of development (Note: no level of development is proposed as part of this proposal). Density should reflect the 10 dph prevailing in the area.
12. Residents will be obliged to drive to facilities rather than walk.
13. The site is bordered by a Conservation Area (Note: there are no Conservation Areas in the vicinity – the site is, however, bordered by the Green belt and an SNCI).
14. The mix of social and private housing will be problematical.
15. Loss of views of common.
16. Seek assurance trees will be retained.
17. Cumulative impact with development also at Westfield Tip and Woking Park.
18. Local people will not benefit from the development. Local Authorities not concerned with protecting environment/identity of town.
19. Could the development be phased?
20. Play and recreation facilities should be provided.
21. Heights, visual impact, three-storey buildings would be inappropriate (Note: no form of development is proposed at this stage)
22. Impact on historic barn at Moor Lane Farm (Note: there are statutory Listed Buildings at Moor Lane Farm to the SW of the application site – any development will need to respect their setting).

- – -

Do you think these concerns have been adequately dealt with?  Was there evidence that the proposed developers were aware of all these issues? What do you think?

Related posts:

1. Outline Planning Application (PLAN-2006-0399) Site Map as proposed in the Outline Planning Application....
2. Moor Lane Housing Project: Other Interesting Points Did you know that in the outline planning proposal for...
3. Moor Lane Project: Access Planning Application Submitted The planning application for access to the site has been...

You should have been if you reside in one of the following addresses listed below at that time.

Why should you care?  Well these are the households that will be most impacted by the plans if they go ahead.  Check it out – are you one of these households?

PLANNING APPLICATION NO: PLAN/2006/0399/REG4

List of Neighbours Notified

Date Consultation Expires: 16 May 2006

Neighbour’s Address Sent Date

Flat 3 New Shops, High Street, Old Woking, Surrey, GU22 9JW

Ramblers, 10c Rose Bank Cottages , Moor Lane , Woking, GU22 9QZ

8 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

14 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

16 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

18 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

Mr Cox, 10 Rosebank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 30.05.2006

30 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

31 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

32 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

33 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

34 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

37 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

24 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

26 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

28 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

30 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

36 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

42 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

44 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

46 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

48 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

32 Old School Place, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9LY 25.04.2006

33 Old School Place, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9LY 25.04.2006

36 Old School Place, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9LY 25.04.2006

46 High Street, Knaphill, Woking, Surrey, GU21 2PY 25.04.2006

18 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

19 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

20 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

21 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

22 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

23 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

24 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

25 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

26 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

27 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

28 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

29 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

37 Old School Place, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9LY 25.04.2006

38 Old School Place, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9LY 25.04.2006

5 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

6 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

7 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

10 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

11 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

12 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

16 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

17 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

18 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

21 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

22 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

25 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

26 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

27 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

30 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

31 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

32A , Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN,  25.04.2006

32B , Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN,  25.04.2006

33A 33, Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN,  25.04.2006

11 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

12 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

15 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

48 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

17 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

Kinever, 18 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

19 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

11 The Orchard, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PA 25.04.2006

21 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

22 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

23 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

3A The Orchard, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PA 25.04.2006

3 The Orchard, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PA 25.04.2006

6 The Orchard, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PA 25.04.2006

7 The Orchard, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PA 25.04.2006

8 The Orchard, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PA 25.04.2006

11 The Orchard, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PA 25.04.2006

12 The Orchard, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PA 25.04.2006

Hullbrook Cottage, Westfield Common, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NT 25.04.2006

Kismet, Westfield Common, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NS 25.04.2006

Marston, Westfield Common, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NS 25.04.2006

Rosehaven, Westfield Common, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NT 25.04.2006

Tucksmead, Westfield Common, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NS 25.04.2006

Willow Cottage, Westfield Common, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NT 25.04.2006

Windlestraw, Westfield Common, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NS 25.04.2006

65 Westfield Road, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PX 25.04.2006

67 Westfield Road, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PX 25.04.2006

69 Westfield Road, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PX 25.04.2006

73 Westfield Road, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PX 25.04.2006

75 Westfield Road, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PX 25.04.2006

24 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

25 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

26 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

27 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

28 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

Tendereza, 29 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

30 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

31 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

32 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

35 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

36 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

43 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

44 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

45 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

48 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

49 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

1 The Orchard, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PA 25.04.2006

2 The Orchard, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PA 25.04.2006

Westways, 79A Westfield Road, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PX 25.04.2006

79 Westfield Road, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PX 25.04.2006

83 Westfield Road, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PX 25.04.2006

89 Westfield Road, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PX 25.04.2006

93 Westfield Road, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PX 25.04.2006

1 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

2 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

3 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

4 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

7 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

8 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

9 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

10 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

11 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

12 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

14 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

15 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

16 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

17 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

18 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

19 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

20 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

21 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

22 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

23 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

24 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

25 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

5 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD 25.04.2006

6 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD 25.04.2006

7 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD 25.04.2006

10 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD 25.04.2006

11 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD 25.04.2006

12 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD 25.04.2006

15 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD 25.04.2006

16 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD 25.04.2006

17 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD,  25.04.2006

18 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD 25.04.2006

19 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD 25.04.2006

20 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD,  25.04.2006

21 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD 25.04.2006

22 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD,  25.04.2006

23 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD,  25.04.2006

24 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD 25.04.2006

25 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD,  25.04.2006

26 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD,  25.04.2006

27 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD,  25.04.2006

28 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD 25.04.2006

26 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

29 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

30 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

31 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

34 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

35 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

36 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

39 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

40 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

41 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

44 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

45 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

1 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD 25.04.2006

2 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD 25.04.2006

Oor Ain, Westfield Common, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NS 25.04.2006

12 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

38 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

40 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

87 Westfield Road, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PX 25.04.2006

The Cottage, Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD 25.04.2006

Sutton Green Golf Club, New Lane, Sutton Green, Woking, Guildford, Surrey, GU4 7QF 25.04.2006

9 Quartermaine House, Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NW,  25.04.2006

Orchard Leigh, Westfield Common, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NS 25.04.2006

Annexe  , 14 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

Little Moor Lane Farm, Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9RB 25.04.2006

87A Westfield Road, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PX 25.04.2006

Pavilion  Sutton Green Golf Club, New Lane, Sutton Green, Woking, Guildford, Surrey, GU4 7QF 25.04.2006

Rosecot, Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9RB,  25.04.2006

Mayford Nurseries, Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey 25.04.2006

1 Rose Bank Cottages, Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

5 Rose Bank Cottages, Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

6 Rose Bank Cottages, Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

10 Rose Bank Cottages, Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

10d Rose Bank Cottages, Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

3 Longhurst Cottages, Westfield Common, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NS 25.04.2006

2 Matthews Cottages, Westfield Common, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NT 25.04.2006

Sunnymeads, Westfield Common, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NT 25.04.2006

3 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NJ 25.04.2006

4 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NJ 25.04.2006

8 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NJ 25.04.2006

9 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NJ 25.04.2006

14 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NJ 25.04.2006

15 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NJ 25.04.2006

35 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

18 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

19 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

23 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

24 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

28 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

29 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

33 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

34 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

38 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

40 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

37 Downsview Avenue, Kingfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9BT 25.04.2006

1 Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QY 25.04.2006

6 Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QY 25.04.2006

7 Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QY 25.04.2006

13 Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QY 25.04.2006

14 Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QY 25.04.2006

4 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

5 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

Jubilee Cottage, Westfield Common, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NT 25.04.2006

Selwood, Westfield Common, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NS 25.04.2006

Springfield, Westfield Common, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NT 25.04.2006

71 Westfield Road, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PX 25.04.2006

77 Westfield Road, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PX 25.04.2006

81 Westfield Road, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PX 25.04.2006

85 Westfield Road, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PX 25.04.2006

91 Westfield Road, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PX 25.04.2006

5 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

6 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

27 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

28 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

32 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

33 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

37 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

38 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

42 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

43 Westfield Way, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NU 25.04.2006

7 Quartermaine House, Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NW,  25.04.2006

8 Quartermaine House, Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NW,  25.04.2006

10 Quartermaine House, Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NW,  25.04.2006

11 Quartermaine House, Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NW,  25.04.2006

12 Quartermaine House, Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NW,  25.04.2006

Twolews, Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NX 25.04.2006

9 Bonners Close, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9RA 25.04.2006

5A Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NJ 25.04.2006

1 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NJ 25.04.2006

36 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

40 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

41 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

Penrith, Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NX 25.04.2006

1 Bonners Close, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9RA 25.04.2006

6 Bonners Close, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9RA 25.04.2006

7 Bonners Close, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9RA 25.04.2006

12 Bonners Close, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9RA 25.04.2006

13 Bonners Close, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9RA 25.04.2006

2 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

3 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

7 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

8 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

12 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

14 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

9 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

11 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

20 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

22 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

32 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

34 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

34 Old School Place, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9LY 25.04.2006

35 Old School Place, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9LY 25.04.2006

3 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

Monawai, 4 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

8 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

9 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

14 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

15 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

19 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

20 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

23 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

24 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

28 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

29 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

10A Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

13 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

14 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

33 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

34 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

37 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

40 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

46 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

47 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

4 The Orchard, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PA 25.04.2006

5 The Orchard, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PA 25.04.2006

9 The Orchard, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PA 25.04.2006

10 The Orchard, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PA 25.04.2006

Jalna, Westfield Common, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NT 25.04.2006

3 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD 25.04.2006

4 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD 25.04.2006

8 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD 25.04.2006

9 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD 25.04.2006

13 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD 25.04.2006

14 Willow Bank, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9PD,  25.04.2006

33 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN,  25.04.2006

10 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

39 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

Alder House, Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9RB,  25.04.2006

Oak Tree House, Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, ,  25.04.2006

33B 33, Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN,  25.04.2006

32, Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN,  25.04.2006

17 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

Withay, Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9RB 25.04.2006

2 Rose Bank Cottages, Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

3 Rose Bank Cottages, Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

4 Rose Bank Cottages, Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

7 Rose Bank Cottages, Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

8 Rose Bank Cottages, Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

9 Rose Bank Cottages, Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

10c Rose Bank Cottages, Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

10b Rose Bank Cottages, Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ 25.04.2006

4 Longhurst Cottages, Westfield Common, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NS 25.04.2006

1 Matthews Cottages, Westfield Common, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NT 25.04.2006

1 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

2 Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NN 25.04.2006

1 Quartermaine House, Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NW,  25.04.2006

2 Quartermaine House, Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NW,  25.04.2006

3 Quartermaine House, Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NW,  25.04.2006

4 Quartermaine House, Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NW,  25.04.2006

5 Quartermaine House, Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NW,  25.04.2006

6 Quartermaine House, Quartermaine Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NW,  25.04.2006

38 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

39 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

42 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

43 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NL 25.04.2006

Beechwood, Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NX 25.04.2006

2 Bonners Close, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9RA 25.04.2006

3 Bonners Close, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9RA 25.04.2006

4 Bonners Close, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9RA 25.04.2006

5 Bonners Close, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9RA 25.04.2006

8 Bonners Close, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9RA 25.04.2006

10 Bonners Close, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9RA 25.04.2006

11 Bonners Close, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9RA 25.04.2006

14 Bonners Close, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9RA 25.04.2006

15 Bonners Close, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9RA 25.04.2006

16 Bonners Close, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9RA 25.04.2006

1 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

4 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

5 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

The Bungalow, Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9RB 25.04.2006

1 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

2 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

3 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

6 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

7 Newlands Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NR 25.04.2006

2 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NJ 25.04.2006

5 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NJ 25.04.2006

6 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NJ 25.04.2006

7 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NJ 25.04.2006

10 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NJ 25.04.2006

11 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NJ 25.04.2006

12 Balfour Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NJ 25.04.2006

6 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

9 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

10 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

11 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

15 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

16 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

17 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

20 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

21 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

22 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

25 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

26 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

27 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

30 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

31 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

32 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

35 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

36 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

Thornash, 37 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

42 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

44 Campbell Avenue, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9NP 25.04.2006

2 Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QY 25.04.2006

3 Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QY 25.04.2006

4 Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QY 25.04.2006

5 Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QY 25.04.2006

8 Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QY 25.04.2006

9 Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QY 25.04.2006

10 Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QY 25.04.2006

11 Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QY 25.04.2006

12 Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QY 25.04.2006

15 Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QY 25.04.2006

Cartref, Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9RB 25.04.2006

Enacot, Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9RB 25.04.2006

Inwood Cottage, Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9RB 25.04.2006

Langhurst, Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9RB 25.04.2006

Moor House, Moor Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9RB 25.04.2006

10 Rosebank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ

Related posts:

1. Moor Lane Housing Development: Woking Council Links For those unaware WBC has published some information on the...
2. Housing Site – Is Access from Moor Lane likely? Copy of an letter from Priority Homes in response to...
3. Moor Lane Project: Access Planning Application Submitted The planning application for access to the site has been...

This includes the timetable of the development which currently appears to be behind schedule.

Related posts:

1. Moor Lane Housing Development: Were you notified? In May 2006 there should have been detailed notification of...
2. Housing Site – Is Access from Moor Lane likely? Copy of an letter from Priority Homes in response to...
3. Moor Lane Housing Project: Other Interesting Points Did you know that in the outline planning proposal for...

If you are the owner or know the owners please contact her via her email: Karen@karensmith.org.uk.

Related posts:

1. Westfield Common – Registration FOI Request update FYI – copy of response of FOI request to establish...

Since the site was launched on the 2nd of May we have attracted no less than 106 visitors and that is without a serious attempt to market the site.

Theres obviously interest and demand out there!

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The goal of the meeting was to plan and agree the (re)launch of the Residents Association for the area.

The minutes of the meeting are shown below:

Residents’ Association
Minutes of Planning Meeting held on 1st May 2009.

1. Name of Association

The group considered firstly if there was a need for a residents’ association as well as the existing Moor Lane Action Group (MLAG ). The decision was that an association was needed as this is the format recognised by the council and which will allow us to communicate effectively with the council.

The discussion then turned to an appropriate name for the new residents association. The decision was to use Westfield Common Residents’ Association as a working title and review this at the next meeting. Derek McCrum may be able to advise.

Having checked the Window on Woking website the following groups are registered:
Westfield (Hoe Valley ) Residents’ Association ( chaired by Paul Owen )
Westfield Pond Action Group!
Gloster Road and Priors Croft Residents’ Association

Willowbank Residents’ Association do not seem to appear on the website but we know they exist – chaired by Kerry Denholm – Price.

Thanks to Paul and Kerry for joining us at the first meeting and for their input.

2. Moor Lane Area Residents Association

This group was set up in 2006 and was chaired by Chris Heisig. Chris is no longer involved and the group has not met for some time. However it is still registered with Woking Council and a useful suggestion is to continue with this group, renaming and and relaunching it with a new constitution.

3. Moor Lane Action Group ( MLAG )

Nicola Cull and Martin Lovell attended from MLAG – others are expected to join the next meeting. MLAG have held a number of meetings and have already taken a number of actions forward, including organising a large meeting at Moorcroft which led to the suggestion of a residents association. MLAG will continue to meet and will work with the new association.

4. Establishing the New Association

Bill Corney has offered to stand as chair and to set up a further meeting and an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Residents Association in the near future. It was agreed that the new group would want to work closely with existing groups and will need to encourage interest and membership from as wise an area as possible.

Paul Owen said that the membership of his association paid £5 per annum and this seems to be an adequate amount.

The new association will also need a secretary and a treasurer. There was a suggestion to include the option to rotate the chair in the constitution and also to have a deputy chair.

5. Communication

The group suggested that the new association should communicate in a variety of different ways to ensure it reaches as many people as possible. Gary agreed to input the contact details collected at Moorcroft and to forward these to Bill.

Nicola indicated that she is able to help with producing and printing a newsletter. Karen also has skills in this area. Members of the group who act as representatives would be able to speak directly to people in their roads. This would overcome the problem of people who may not be on–line.

6. Local Councillors

It is clear that we will need to work closely with local councillors including Simon Bellord and Derek McCrum. We should consider inviting them to a future meeting but emphasise the importance of a non – political arena. We need to consider carefully how best to get our views represented to the council.

7. Update on the Moor Lane Development

· Local councillors will know when the planning application has been submitted – it hadn’t been at the time of this meeting.
· We can make an FOI request for a copy of the transport assessment.
· We could then employ a transport consultant to audit the assessment and make a response to it as an association.
· Access to the new housing estate is the main point of weakness in the plans and this is the point to focus on
· We need to be clear on the boundary of Moor Lane with Sutton Green.
· We need to have an understanding of the relevant building regulations.

Claire Castle
11/5/09

Related posts:

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“With regard to your query, the background to the removal of the small grassy island is as follows:

I had a query from one of the residents who was concerned about safety at the junction, particularly at night. He was concerned that motorists could mistakenly drive into Moor Lane instead of following the right hand bend in New Lane. I therefore carried out a site inspection, and I concurred with his view that safety could be improved by making the junction more conspicuous. To this end the small, off-set island was removed, the carriageway resurfaced and proper junction markings put down. This was intended to be a minor, pro-active non-controversial job to improve road safety – something which Surrey County Council takes very seriously. The last thing we wanted to do was upset the residents.

Following removal of the island, several residents asked if it could be put back. They said that they thought speeds in Moor Lane had increased as a result. I offered to carry out a discrete survey of vehicle speeds to see if there was a problem, but I told them that the island could not be reinstated in its original state, as it was not kerbed or lit and did not have the appropriate signs on it to guide drivers around the island.

The “new” island appeared some time later, in a different position to the original island. It not only made the right turns into and out of Moor Lane very tight, but the centre line of the road led drivers straight into the island.

As the island was a safety hazard and was put in without the permission of the Highway Authority, a corporate decision was taken to remove it.

That is not to rule out altogether the construction of an island at the junction, but it needs to be properly designed and constructed in the proper position. It could then enhance road safety rather than compromising it. This I have mentioned in my e-mails to some of the other residents.

I hope that this clarifies the situation.

Regards,

John Masson
Principal Engineer
Surrey Highways”

Related posts:

1. Ode to Moor Lane Island Just for fun, but underlying a serious point…. Sing along...
2. Moor Lane Island Returns 28th March 2008: Residents were pleasantly surprised to find that...
3. Plea to bring back Moor Lane island As featured in the February 28, 2009 edition of the...

Conservation status
The common frog is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside act 1981. This species is not listed by the IUCN. Populations can be threatened in areas where breeding ponds are disturbed or polluted.

Whilst not an endangered species per se, its a good indicator species demonstrating that the natural environment is viable to support a variety of amphibians including rarer species.

Related posts:

1. Wildlife: Green Woodpecker Photo of a Green Woodpecker spotted in Moor Lane. This...
2. Wildlife: Smooth Newt Spotted in Moor Lane on the 19th April. Conservation status...
3. Walkabout with Surrey Wildlife Trust – Tues 17 Mar On Tuesday the 17th March a number of local residents...

Conservation status
Although they are protected in Britain under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, their numbers continue to decline across Europe. They are vulnerable to urbanisation, agricultural change and pollution of their habitat. Smooth Newts are protected by law in Great Britain against being sold or traded in any way. In Northern Ireland they are fully protected this prohibiting killing, injuring, capturing, disturbance, possession or trade.

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The island, which has been a feature of the lane for over 60 years was removed in February 2009 by Surrey County Council without notice or consultation as featured in this story: http://westfieldcommon.wordpress.com/2009/03/01/plea-to-bring-back-moor-lane-island/

One wonders how long it will remain this time?

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The collective group gave a mandate to set-up a residents association.

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The presentations were made at the Moorcroft Centre on the 21st March, between 11am and 4pm, to review the three developer’s proposals.

There was a massive turn-out at the event with residents raising strong concerns about:

• The density of the proposed housing development.
• The access routes to the site and impact on local traffic.
• The lack of facilties on the site.
• The lack of planning gain for existing residents.
• The lack of concern about potential flooding and other negative impacts on the local environment.

The event was featured in the local press and an article can be found here: http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2047992_big_doubts_over_scheme under a headline of “Big doubts over scheme“.

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The representatives agreed that it was a beautiful area and worth protecting.

They were interested in all the wildlife issues that concern us (smooth snakes, sand lizards, water voles, door mice, white admiral, purple hair streak butterflies, lesser spotted woodpecker, kingfisher, bats! etc) and agreed that the pond probably does contain Great Crested newts as it is an ideal habitat for the species.

They talked about the fact that the proposed Housing Development would not be able to cut through or touch the ancient hedgerow as it would be protected in Moor Lane, without permission.

Although they have no real influence on the project, they can help raise the profile regarding the SNCI (Sites of Nature Conservation Importance) and it’s protection. The trust will certainly be looking out for any planning applications and their implication on the local wildlife.

The trust commented that that they had been approached to de-classify some of Westfield Common as SNCI to which is answer was NO!

SWT added that WBC had got rid of it’s countryside dept. a year ago so in effect no body is managing Westfield Common apart from the odd bit of grass cutting and they generally thought some parts of the Common needed some attention.

(and judging from this photo taken at the corner of Balfour Avenue and Westfield Common – they are undoubtedly correct in that assessment)

They added that if we formed a working party that they would be happy to support us, give advice and that some funding would be available from SWT.

Interested? Then drop an email to westfield.common@gmail.com.

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Sing along to the tune of “Islands in the Stream”

Verse:
Moor Lane, when I saw you there was peace unknown
I set out to live there,
It would be my home,
I was happy inside, but was something goin on?

Surrey removes the island and I feel ignored
Access required? I feel so sure
All these things on the lane
There IS something going on!

Surrey is blind, it needs no consultation
All this island removal – we require an explanation
We’ll raise it together, ah-ah
From one neighbour to another, ah-ah

Chorus:
Island in the road
That is was what you were
Now nothing in-between
How can this be right?

Complain away with me
To the Surrey board
And we’ll restore it together, ah-ah
One neighbour to another, ah-ah

Verse:
I cant live without you now that you are gone
Now the island is nothin and they tell no one
While Surrey digs in the night
We are gearing up for a real fight

This wont happen to us and Ive got no doubt
Committed one together, we find a way out
And the message is clear
Put the island back, this is our clear steer.

No more will you try
To change our lane, oh never
We start and end as one, in concert together
We can do this together, ah-ah
Respecting our wishes forever, ah-ah

Chorus:
Island in the road
That is what you are
Now something in-between
How can this be wrong?

Complained away with me
To the Surrey board
And we restored it together, ah-ah
One neighbour to another, ah-ah

Enjoy!

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©28 Feb 2009 – Woking Review.  All rights acknowledged.

And here is the original picture supplied to the Woking Review.

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Here we see the residents lined-up for a photo. Protest Boards at the forefront.

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This bird species is officially classified by the RSPB as having ‘Amber status’ indicating that the species has declined in last 25 years.

More info can be found on the informative RSPB site here: Green Woodpecker.

Another reason to cherish the Westfield Common Area.

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Westfield Common is a very special place and we are comitted to keeping it that way.

Please bookmark this website for updates.

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