Updated Timetable Published For The Wisley Airfield Public Inquiry

An updated timetable has now been published by the Planning Inspectorate for the Wisley Airfield public inquiry, a copy of which can be found attached HERE

Land at Wisley Airfield Update - APP/Y3615/W/23/3320175

At the Wisley inquiry this week the Rule 6 parties concluded their evidence and cross-examination. Representing East & West Horsley Parish Councils, Colin Smith, delivered his evidence in chief on Tuesday 17 October 2023 with a subsequent cross-examination two day's later from Taylor Wimpey's barrister, which lasted all morning. 
 
Having reached the midway point of the inquiry, seven witnesses for Taylor Wimpey will shortly be presenting their evidence over two weeks starting 31October 2023 to be cross-examined by the various Rule 6 parties lead by the WAG/OPC/RHS barrister, Richard Harwood KC, with the support of the Horsleys'  parish councils.

WISLEY APPEAL: Funding Request

There has been new public funding request issued from Wisley Action Group (WAG), Villages Against Wisley New Town (VAWNT), Ockham & Hatchford Residents Association (OHRA)  and Ockham Parish Council (OPC), to help support their costs of sustaining the appeal. See link for  Funding Request Letter

Wisley Appeal: Timetable Update

The planning appeal by Taylor Wimpey into the proposed development at Wisley Airfield began on Tuesday 26 September 2023 in the Baptist Church in Guildford. 

The first day of this public inquiry saw opening submissions from all the Rule 6 parties, including East and West Horsley Parish Councils delivered by our planning consultant, Colin Smith. Guildford Borough Council (GBC) and Surrey County Council made short submissions later that afternoon. 

The next two days saw traffic and transport evidence presented by John Russell of Transport Consultants, Motion Group, speaking on behalf of joint Rule 6 party comprising Wisley Action Group (WAG), Ockham Parish Council and RHS Wisley. He was subjected to over six hours of intense cross-examination by Taylor Wimpey’s barrister.

The public inquiry now has a break and continues on Tuesday 10 October 2023 in the GBC chamber in Millmead with the three remaining WAG witnesses giving their evidence: Dr Ben Marner on air quality, Andrew Baker on ecology and Richard Hall of Planning & Design Group on planning.    

Next will come the Horsleys evidence from our planning consultant, Colin Smith. This will probably be on the morning of Thursday 12 October although the precise timing depends on how long previous witnesses actually take.

We will be followed by the Send/Ripley team, then various residents speaking for Villages Against Wisley New Town (VAWNT) on Tuesday 17October. The subsequent day of Wednesday 18 October has been fixed for any members of the public who wish to speak.

The seven witnesses for Taylor Wimpey are expected to begin giving their evidence on Tuesday 31 October and will probably take up all of the subsequent two weeks, although precise timings have still to be announced. 

Closing of the public inquiry is scheduled for Tuesday 29 November 2023. 

Wisley ‘New Town’ Appeal Begins

The appeal into the planned development on the former Wisley Airfield began on 26 September. The appeal will sit for 24 days until 24 November.

The planning inspector will be hearing evidence from parties opposed to the development and from the appellant, Taylor Wimpey. East and West Horsley Parish Councils will be jointly presenting our own evidence, prepared with input from a planning consultant, in support of the case against the development. Our Proof of Evidence is available on the East Horsley Parish Council web site Proof of Evidence. Much of the discussion during the hearing is likely to be technical.  But on 18 October members of the public will be able to speak about the potential effect of the development on their community.

The public are able to attend the appeal as observers. The hearings are taking place at the Guildford Borough Council offices on Millmead. Alternatively, there is a live webcast of each day’s hearing.  The dates of sitting and the live stream options are provided on the GBC web site: Click here

Finally, Villages Against Wisley New Town is providing a regular update on the appeal to its mailing list. If you are not on this list already, you can contact them This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Update On Wisley Airfield Planning Appeal

The planning appeal by Taylor Wimpey into their proposed development at Wisley airfield starts on Tuesday 26 September 2023. For the first three days the appeal is held in the Guildford Baptist Church, thereafter in the GBC Council Chamber. All meetings are public.

East Horsely and West Horsley parish councils are a Joint Rule 6 party objecting to this development. Last week we submitted our Proof of Evidence, to be presented by our planning consultant, Colin Smith. Click HERE to view a copy.

Horsley residents might note the extensive traffic calming installations now proposed along six local roads around the site, including Long Reach and Old Lane.

The appeal runs until 24 November 2023 and will sit for a total of 24 days. 

Given this very lengthy timescale our parish councillors would appreciate any support from residents during the appeal. For example, by helping to monitor Taylor Wimpey’s witnesses and formulating questions for their cross-examination. Even a few half-days would help. Please contact me if you’d like more details.

There are three other Rule 6 parties opposing this development with us, including a joint team from Ockham Parish Council, WAG and RHS Wisley who have engaged a barrister who will call four specialist witnesses to give evidence on ecology, air quality, transport and planning issues. WAG have recently launched a new fund-raising to support their costs. Click HERE to view their letter.

Screenshot 2023 09 13 at 15.27.44

Wisley Airfield

Planning Appeal To Start In September

PLANS TO DEVELOP a new settlement at Wisley airfield will be decided by Planning Inspector, Cristina Downes, with the public inquiry due to start in Guildford on 26 September.

This spring Taylor Wimpey filed their planning appeal citing grounds of ‘non-determination’. Guildford Borough Council (GBC) still went ahead and held their own Planning Committee on 10 July when councillors voted unanimously (but hypothetically) to refuse the application.

East and West Horsley Parish Councils have again teamed up as a joint ‘Rule 6 party’ and have submitted our Proof of Evidence.

Three other Rule 6 parties are also objecting to the Taylor Wimpey appeal:

Ockham Parish Council, Wisley Action Group

(WAG) and RHS Wisley are jointly leading the Rule 6 objectors’ cause. They are represented by barrister Richard Harwood KC, who also led for WAG in the 2017 appeal. Their expert witnesses intend to address air quality issues, ecology, road traffic and planning matters.

Ripley Parish Council and Send Parish Council are another joint Rule 6 party. VAWNT (‘Villages Against Wisley New Town’) are the fourth Rule
6 objector, representing residents opposed to this development.

The appeal hearings are open to the public and will be held in the GBC Chamber, except for the first week when larger crowds are expected, with sessions to be held at the nearby Guildford Baptist Church. The inquiry is scheduled to close on 28 November.

Wisley Airfield Planning Application

Wisley Airfield Planning Application

COUNCILLORS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO REFUSE TAYLOR WIMPEY PERMISSION AT A PLANNING MEETING LAST NIGHT.

A public meeting of the Guildford Borough Council planning committee was held last night to consider the development of the former Wisley airfield site.

It was held to confirm what decision would have been made if the application had not been the subject of an appeal.

The principle of the development of the site is supported by the local plan. However, officers recommended that the benefits of the Development Plan did not outweigh the harm.

The committee agreed that they would have resolved to refuse the planning application.

The full report can be viewed here

𝗦𝗶𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗩𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆 | Sunday 6 October

Age UK’s Silver Sunday is a national event celebrating older people and their contribution to society. Home Counties Carers, East Horsley WI and West Horsley WI will be hosting afternoon tea with live entertainment, at West Horsely Village Hall, 99 The Street, West Horsley, KT24 6DD on Sunday 6 October from 3:00pm - 5:00pm. To reserve your place Telephone: 01483 224985 / 07591 597403 or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Transport can be arranged.
This free event is sponsored by Home Counties Carers – Surrey’s Home Care Provider of the Year

National Garden Scheme (NGS) - Grace and Flavour - Sunday 4 August 1pm to 4pm

An Open Day under the National Gardens Scheme will be held at Grace and Flavour, the Horsley Villages' very own community kitchen garden and allotments, on Sunday 4 August between 1pm - 4pm, at Dene Place, Ripley Lane, West Horsley. Admission fees go to the charities supported by the NGS but monies from the refreshments and plant sales are being donated to the local Cherry Trees charity and they will be represented in the garden on the day. https://www.graceandflavour.org/index.php

Surrey Artist's Open Studios - The Lovelace Trail

It's Surrey Artist's Open Studios again in June and there are quite a few residing in our neighbourhood. Together they are the Lovelace Trail and you can pick up catalogues and flyers both at the library and at the Station or go online to https://surreyopenstudios.org.uk/
Councillor Sylvia Igglesden will be opening her studio on the weekend of June 1 and for several days over the month showing her eclectic abstract work and a new series inspired by the mountains. Anne Winstanley-Wood will be showing her atmospheric landscapes which are inspired by the Surrey Hills and the Yorkshire Dales. Sarah Rawlins is located in Kingston Avenue and her eye-catching work has recently been introduced into West Horsley Place merchandise. Julia Roberts Brown is an experienced ceramicist based in nearby Effingham and Liz Hauck, Adam Aaronson and Jane Alexander are based in West Horsley.