New application for homes near former airfield

A proposal for 70 homes next to the site of a former airfield in Surrey are due to be decided by councillors.

The former Wisley Airfield site already has plans approved for 1,730 new homes, after a government inspector overturned the local council's refusal of the proposals.

An application, submitted by Hallam Land Management, will now be decided for a further 70 homes and new access to Ockham Lane, to the south of the main airfield site.

The airfield closed in 1972 but there is still a runway at the site, which is near the junction improvement works at the M25 junction with the A3.

Councillors will decide on the outline application, while the general appearance of the development and how it is laid out will be decided at a later date.

The Ockham Lane application has received 189 objections while Taylor Wimpey, who will develop the larger airfield site, sent in the one letter of support Guildford Borough Council had received.

The plans include 28 affordable homes, including 20 described as affordable rent.

Network Rail, which was consulted on the plans, is asking for a contribution of £152,320 towards funding improvements to access at Effingham Junction and Horsley stations.

Its response to the application said the new homes were expected to increase the use of the two stations and that "significant improvements" were needed to improve accessibility.

The application will come to Guildford's planning committee on 9 October.

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