Approval for Travellers' site to be 'biggest in Surrey'

From Get Surrey

A TRAVELLERS' site in Ash will become the largest in Surrey following approval to extend its size by five pitches.

Guildford Borough Council's planning committee agreed to back their officer's recommendation to increase the size of Ash Bridge Caravan Site, in Aldershot Road, bringing the number of pitches up to 18.

Each pitch will have space for one mobile home, a touring caravan and a permanent utility block. A children's play area will also be created in the centre of the new pitches, which will be used by existing and new residents.

The council's planning officer, Tara Taylor, had stated that considerable weight should be given to the harm to the openness of the countryside, the loss of trees and the visual impact of the development on the surrounding area.

However, she felt that this was outweighed by the "urgent" need for Gypsy and Traveller pitches within the borough, as there is a shortage of available sites.

The site had previously been subject to a scoping exercise to assess its suitability to accommodate more travellers.

At the planning meeting, Councillor Nick Sutcliffe, ward representative for Ash South and Tongham, brought forward a motion to agree with the proposals, which was backed by a unanimous vote in favour by committee members.

Cllr Monika Juneja said it was a very important application for the borough council and that the authority had worked very hard to make sure the caravan park was the correct site for the new pitches.

Cllr Juneja added there had been no problems at the caravan park, which has been there for 20 years, and that it was very well managed.

Before the meeting, the council received seven letters of objection, which included a petition by residents of nearby Aspen Grove, led by Jackie and Phil Bishop, who had managed to collect 37 signatures.

Their main concern was the amount of trees which will need to be cut down, which Mrs Bishop said would increase noise pollution and affect the local wildlife.

Mrs Bishop attended the meeting to find out the outcome, and afterwards said she was bitterly disappointed with the decision.

"We were just disgusted by the fact that we weren't represented at all and that the petition we put in had 37 names on and it was only counted as one objection," she said.

"I feel that was a waste of time basically.

"We just feel completely let down and there is no right to appeal."

The land is on countryside beyond the green belt, and is managed by the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership (BVCP) on behalf of Surrey County Council.

The BVCP had objected to the plans, as the land which will be used in the extension was originally put aside to be preserved when the A331 was built to minimise the damaging effect the road would have on the Blackwater Valley.

Other concerns addressed to the council included that the area had a potential for flooding and there would not be enough parking spaces.

The approval means that the plans will be subject to a contribution of costs totalling £37,406.80. This includes funding for education, off-site playing fields and a Suitable Alterative Natural Greenspace contribution.