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Wisley Airfield protestors believe they may have 'winning hand' in ongoing planning row

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said the government would be dropping top-down housing targets

Frances Porter, Imogen Jamieson and Chris Campbell are against the plans for 1,700 new homes on Wisley Airfield
Campaigners from WAG are against the plans for 1,700 new homes on Wisley Airfield(Image: Emily Coady-Stemp)

Campaigners protesting against plans to build 1,700 homes near Wisley have said a change in government policy has given them a “winning hand” over developers. Members of the Wisley Action Group (WAG) - who claim plans from Taylor Wimpey for the site are “environmental vandalism" - say a recent change in the UK government’s approach to planning gives them an unarguable case against the plans.

Earlier this month Surrey MP and Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove told fellow MPs the government was dropping top-down targets and there was no objective way to calculate how many homes are needed in an area. Tony Edwards, a WAG spokesperson, said their fight against the developer would have ramifications beyond the local area.

He said: “Taylor Wimpey’s development would see green fields concreted over, up to 5,000 more cars on already gridlock roads and a new town in the middle of nowhere with no proper facilities. Valid planning issues disqualify the land for large scale development.

READ MORE: Dozens of 'suspect' letters supporting Wisley Airfield development removed

“We believe we have a winning hand in the defence of this former green belt land, especially in light of the Government’s abandonment of top-down housing targets. Our battle is of national importance because if we are defeated it would create a precedent for developers to build on green spaces across the country”.

“Such a vast housing development would destroy historic Ockham and the surrounding area. It is pure environmental vandalism and a rape of the land,” added TV presenter and local resident Ingrid Tarrant, who has appeared on GB news in recent months.

Images of Stratford View in proposed Wisley Airfield development, from Design and Access statement. Credit: Taylor Wimpey

“The development was rejected by the Secretary of State in 2018 and that should have been the end of it. However, the fight continues, and I am confident we will defeat this scheme once again.”

Responding to the campaigners Taylor Wimpey said it did not believe Gove’s comments would have “any direct impact” on the existing Guildford Local Plan the Wisley site was allocated in. Rather than environmental destruction they say their plans would lead to a 20% increase in biodiversity and improve sustainable modes of transport in the area including bus routes.