News Bulletin - 13th June 2012

This is a brief newsletter to update Ash Residents on the planning application for the conversion of The Croft into eight apartments and the erection of 31 dwellings (Application 12/P/00157).  ( http://bit.ly/wJhO2u )

The application was considered at yesterdays (12th June) meeting of Guildford Borough Council Planning Committee (GBCPC) and the committee decided that a site visit was required before any decision was made. The site visit will probably take place in the next few weeks with the application returned to the agenda for a future meeting.

Opening the discussion the Case Officer summerised the Planning Department's report in which they recommended approval subject to certain conditions. The full report can be found here ( http://bit.ly/LU9shM )

Two (the maximum allowed) Ash Green residents spoke objecting to the application and the developers agent spoke supporting the application. Councillor Marsha Moseley and Councillor Nick Sutcliffe the two Ash Councillors who are on the Planning Committee were absent from the meeting. Councillor Stephen Mansbridge, who is not on the Planning Committee was in attendance and was allowed to speak in his capacity as Councillor for Ash South & Tongham.

Councillor Mansbridge agreed with the worrying aspects of the application raised by the previous speakers, including increased road traffic accident risk and lack of adequate infrastructure. He went on to say that overall the development was not unfeasible but suggested a site visit was in order. Subsequently a site visit was agreed by the Planning Committee.

News Bulletin - 1st June 2012

It has been a few weeks since the last Newsletter but don't worry we have not been idle!

Status Report

Potential planning application for 450 houses by Bewley Homes on the fields bordered by Ash Lodge Drive, Manor Road, The old railway track and South Lane - Awaiting formal planning application.

Planning application Number: 12/P/00645 for 60 houses by Taylor Wimpey on land that lies behind existing homes on Manor Road - Consultation period has now ended and the application will be considered by the Guildford Borough Council Planning Committee at an as yet undetermined date (see below).

Planning Application Number: 2/P/00157 for the conversion of The Croft in Foreman Road into 7 apartments and the building of 31 houses - Consultation period has ended and the application will be considered by the Guildford Borough Council Planning Committee on the 12th June 2012 in the Council Chamber at Millmead House.

More On 12/P/00645

The Flood Risk Assessment for this application, prepared by Odyssey Consulting Engineers on behalf of Taylor Wimpey contained a number of factual errors and invalid conclusions. As a result we prepared and submitted a document 'Comments on the Flood Risk Assessment Supporting Planning Application 12/P/00645' to Planning Services at Guildford Borough Council. Copies were sent to Thames Water, The Environment Agency and Ash Parish Council. The full submission may be read on our website by clicking on this link (Comments on the Flood Risk Assessment - Supporting Planning Application 12/P/00645).

General

We continue to receive information and support from Ash residents, and thanks again to everyone who has sent in photographs of the local wild animals. If over the summer you manage to snap an interesting picture please email it to us at ASHRA. Lastly, as you know email is our main channel of communication and it is vital to have the email addresses of everyone and anyone in Ash and Tongham who is concerned about the countryside and the quality of life in the area. Please help by talking with your neighbours and local friends and encouraging them to visit the website and subscribe to the Newsletter.

News Bulletin - 24th April 2012

Taylor Wimpey have submitted an outline planning application for the erection of up to 60 dwellings on land that lies behind existing homes on Manor Road (map below). Documents from the application can be viewed online
on the Guildford Borough Council website click this link here. http://bit.ly/JmNlgt

The application appears to be incomplete (for example there is no flood risk assessment) and we are currently in communication with Guildford Borough Council Planning Services department to establish the reason for this.

Written comments on the application can be sent to: Planning Services, Guildford Borough Council, Millmead House, Millmead, Guildford GU2 4BB and if you do write it is essential to quote the Application Number: 12/P/00645. Alternatively comments can be submitted online via the Guildford Borough Council website, click this link here http://bit.ly/I61r9F and again it is essential to quote the application number. The closing date for comments is 18th May 2012.

(Updated 25th April - FRA now present)

News Bulletin - 4th April 2012

Welcome to all those who have recently signed up for the ASHRA Newsletter.

The main news concerns the Tree Preservation Order, but first is a brief status report.

Status Report

Potential planning application for 450 houses by Bewley Homes on the fields bordered by Ash Lodge Drive, Manor Road, The old railway track and South Lane - Awaiting formal planning application.

Potential planning application for 65 houses by Taylor Wimpey on land that lies behind existing homes on Manor Road - Awaiting formal planning application.

Planning Application Number: 2/P/00157 for the conversion of The Croft in Foreman Road into 7 apartments and the building of 31 houses - Consultation period has ended and the application will be considered by the Guildford Borough Council Planning Committee at an as yet undetermined date.

Tree Preservation Order

As you may be aware, at this week’s Guildford Borough Council Planning Committee, Tree Preservation Order (TPO) No.10 of 2011 was on the agenda.

The TPO covers 28 hectares between Ash and Tongham in three separate areas. These are identified on the following maps (click to view); A1, A2 and A3.

A report from the Guildford Borough Council Head of Planning Services recommended that the TPO be confirmed by the Planning Committee. The full report can be read here. As you will see there were written detailed objections from A2 Dominion and Bewley Homes Tree Consultant and it was therefore felt prudent for the Officers of Ash Residents Association to attend the meeting and support the confirmation.

During the course of the meeting, a statement we had prepared was read out on behalf of Ash Residents Association and the full text of the statement can be seen below.

We are pleased to report that the TPO was confirmed unanimously by the Planning Committee with Councillor Stephen Mansbridge and Councillor Marsha Moseley speaking in support, and thanking Ash Residents Association.

This is an area TPO and it will be replaced by a more specific TPO covering individual trees, groups of trees and woodland in approximately six months time. We will of course keep you informed.

Statement on behalf of Ash Residents Association in Support of Tree Preservation Order (TPO) No.10 of 2011.

Ash Resident Association would like to thank the Department of Planning Services, the Trees and Countryside Manager and the Councils Tree Consultant for the speed and efficiency with which the Tree Preservation Order was applied in 2011, and their obvious concern for the environment.

Back in July 2011 Barton Wilmore sought Guildford Borough Councils’ view on whether development required an Environmental Impact Assessment, and they were subsequently advised that it did. This then went to the Secretary of State and was confirmed. In August 2011 work started on the Assessment.

Not long after this, a tractor, mounted with a heavy duty hedge & tree cutter, arrived in the fields to the south of Ash Lodge Drive, West of South Lane and East of Ash Manor School, and proceeded to cut back all of the hedgerows surrounding the fields by up to 30 feet, and in many parts destroyed the hedgerows completely, which resulted in damage to many of the mature trees within the hedgerows. At best this was wanton destruction, and at worst premeditated, because data gathering for the flora and fauna and wildlife component of the Environmental Impact Assessment commenced shortly after the destruction of the hedgerows, and hence will bias the results in favour of the developers.

In the areas covered by Tree Preservation Order (No.10 2011) are a number of Oaks which we are reliably informed are between 160 and 200 years old, and many Ash and Maple trees which need to be protected.

The popularity of the area is well known, not only for local residents walking dogs, walkers, joggers and organised ramblers, but people drive to the area to use it in pursuit of many different leisure activities. Riders can be seen regularly exercising their horses, and teachers with groups of schoolchildren use the fields for nature and wildlife education.

Crisscrossed as it is with public footpaths and bridleways, it is the only major natural amenity left in Ash, and the trees and hedgerows make a significant contribution to the character of the area.

As well as being appreciated by hundreds of walkers every day the trees are clearly visible from the Hogs Back (Surrey Hills), an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Finally, Ash Residents Association believe that the developers’ objection to the Tree Preservation Order is simply because they want to cut down trees and remove hedgerows for their own ends and without any regard to the wishes of the local community.

News Bulletin - 26th February 2012

Welcome and thank you to all those who have signed up for the ASHRA Newsletter as a result of our recent leaflet drop. If anyone knows of a neighbour who does not use email or the internet please print off a copy of the Newsletter and pass it on.

There was steady attendance throughout the day at theTaylor Wimpey Public Exhibition in the Tongham Community Centre last Friday. The development consists of 65 houses on land that lies behind existing homes on Manor Road. No one there would say when they will be submitting a formal planning application but 6+ months would be a reasonable guess. When they do we will of course let you know immediately. What was of concern was the fact that the Taylor Wimpey representatives knew little about the area, nor had any knowledge of the surface water issues in Ash. If you couldn't make it to the Community Centre and would like to see what was there, here is a link to a file showing the display boards that were on show. LINK

This is a reminder that comments relating to the planning application for the conversion of The Croft in Foreman Road into 7 apartments and the building of 31 houses should be submitted by Tuesday 6th March. At the time of writing Guildford Borough Council have received 59 responses with 5 in favour and 54 against.

To comment online on The Croft proposed development click on this link http://bit.ly/wJhO2u, it will take you to the planning application details on the Guildford Borough Council website, where you can add your comments. To do this there is a "Consultation" link which goes to a page titled "Consultees for Planning Application", and midway down that page is another link "Comment on this application online here" which allows you to leave a comment online. Alternatively you can write to GBC at; Planning Services, Guildford Borough Council, Millmead House, Millmead, Guildford GU2 4BB. If you do write it is essential to quote the Application Number: 2/P/00157.

There is no further news on the potential planning application for 450 houses by Bewley Homes on the fields bordered by Ash Lodge Drive, Manor Road, The old railway track and South Lane. The application could be put in
at any time, and we will of course let you know immediately it happens. We are currently working on a final draft of our objections and, when complete, will represent ASHRA's formal presentation to the Planning Committee.

Lastly, on a light hearted note, here is a photograph taken recently by a local resident in one of the fields behind Ash Lodge Drive.