Dunsfold - it looks like it could be curtains (literally!)

[andypspotter]

A plan to build 1,800 new homes at Dunsfold Aerodrome has been approved.

Waverley Borough Council's planning committee narrowly gave the go-ahead for the plans on Wednesday.

Opponents to the development of the site said the homes were not needed. The council said the new jobs would be created on the brownfield site.

The aerodrome is currently home to Dunsfold Business Park which accommodates more than 100 businesses employing more than 800 people.

Dunsfold Aerodrome is the largest brownfield site in Waverley and is neither in the greenbelt or the Surrey Hills area of outstanding natural beauty.

Jim McAllister, Dunsfold Park chief executive, said: "The development of Dunsfold Aerodrome will provide homes for young families currently priced out of the area, direct development away from green fields, create new jobs and deliver a range of new community facilities and infrastructure improvements."

The planning application was approved by 10 votes to eight at the council's planning committee meeting.

The owners have been told for the development to go ahead they must improve roads in the area to "mitigate the impact of traffic generated by the development", and provide a bus service in perpetuity.

Part of the development must provide affordable housing, the committee said.

There will also need to be a health centre on site, public open spaces and sports facilities as a condition of the development being allowed.

[andypspotter]

29/3/18

Dunsfold Park has been approved by Secretary of State Sajid Javid.

The controversial 1,800-home plan was approved by the government on Thursday (March 29).

The development was approved by Waverley Borough Council back in December 2016 but has faced heavy opposition from residents before, during and after that vote.

Since then, the then-Department for Communities and Local Government called in the application and a hearing took place in July 2017.

Get Surrey will be bringing you all the very latest on this developing story.

Waverley Borough Council responds
Leader Julia Potts said:

I am delighted that the Secretary of State has granted planning permission as this development will provide significant benefits to the local community, of the 1800 new homes 540 will be affordable. The development will also create over 1,000 new jobs and secure substantial financial contributions for much-needed infrastructure.”

She added:

The Secretary of State has endorsed the council’s opinion that the Local Plan does not undermine the Farnham Neighbourhood Plan and by having both these plans in place Farnham is better protected from unplanned and inappropriate development.”

[Dave Silk]

Yes, agreed we need houses. Yes this is a prime site but will prove to be a real road clogger I'm sure.

What a pity though that the runway couldn't be retained and used actively.

Plenty of room to build on the south side, leave the runway active with it's current restrictions so it's not as though there are many movements and you have your hangers and industry on the north side and who cares about the Top Gear track; that can move to Wroughton or somewhere else.

Common sense prevails, no too damned difficult. Kiss my a*se.