Cobham Heritage

The Sad Loss of John Stephens

We were very sad to learn this week that one of our strongest supporters, John Stephens, passed away on the 26th May 2016.

John lived all his life in Downside, and was very protective of it and keen to ensure that it retained its character as a pretty village. He had a great sense of community, and loved the area, his home and his garden. To many he was known as Big John and he had a very distinctive laugh which was infectious! We will miss his contribution to the Heritage Trust, and many people in the area will miss seeing him on his daily walk with his dog. Downside won’t be the same.

The Head at St Matthews School Rhian Thornton said when she heard the news, "That is so very sad. We really did have a soft spot for him" I’m sure she was speaking on behalf of us all.

As a Trust we offer our condolences to his wife Helen and his family.

Guildford Local Plan to go to public consultation on the 6th June 2016

Guildford Borough Councillors met on Tue 24th May 2016 to agree the draft Guildford Local Plan.

It was hoped that the amendment to remove the former Wisley Airfield site (also know as Three Farms Meadows) from the local plan would be agreed but unfortunately, only 11 councillors voted for its removal and 33 councillors voted for it to remain. Other amendments were also discussed and voted on, with the final draft local plan being agreed and put forward for consultation.

You can see the full details of the meeting and some video by visiting the Get Surrey website using the following link:

www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/local-news/guildfords-local-plan-voted-consultation-11379492

There will now be a consultation period of six weeks starting on the 6th June 2016. Further details of the consultation process will be made available once we have the received the details.

Public Exhibition of proposals for Holly Parade, Cobham High St

McCarthy and Stone are holding a public exhibition on Thursday 2nd June 2016 from 3:30pm to 7pm of their proposals for developing 1-7 Holly Parade, Cobham High Street. The exhibition will be held in the New Hall at Cobham Village Hall, Lushington Drive. Holly Parade is the row of shops which have been vacant since Christmas 2015 between the Lloyds Pharmacy and Boots the Chemist.

In a press statement McCarthy and Stone said:-

"McCarthy and Stone, the UK’s leading retirement builder, in association with Cobham based developer, Levanter Developments, has acquired an interest in land at 1-7 Holly Parade, Cobham and is bringing forward a multi-million pound proposal to transform the site with a mixed-use scheme, including ground floor retail units and age-exclusive accommodation.

On Thursday 2nd June, McCarthy and Stone will be holding a public exhibition from 3:30pm to 7pm in the New Hall at Cobham Village Hall, Lushington Drive to display their proposals, answer questions from the community and receive feedback.

The future of this prominent site has been uncertain for some time but McCarthy and Stone is currently consulting with local residents, as well as stakeholders and local businesses, regarding its plans for the High Street.

The proposals include five commercial units fronting the High Street, with age-exclusive accommodation and associated facilities comprising the rest of the development."

A planning application has yet to be submitted to Elmbridge Borough Council but this is a good opportunity for local residents to view the proposals and provide feedback.

The Trust would urge you to attend the exhibition as this is an important part of the High Street and will hopefully give the community an opportunity to shape its future.

Norwood Farm planning application (2015/4567) Refused

We are pleased to report that the rural business centre at Norwood Farm, Old Common Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 1BS (application no. 2015/4567) has been refused by Elmbridge Borough Council.

Seven reasons were given for refusal and the report dated 20 May 2016, can be found on the Elmbridge Planning website under planning application 2015/4567.

Guildford Borough Council Meeting to agree their Local Plan

MEETING Tuesday 24th May 2016, 7pm Guildford Borough Council Offices

There was a recent unanimous decision by Guildford Borough Council to refuse planning permission for 2068 homes plus associated infrastructure and highways changes at Three Farm Meadows, formerly Wisley Airfield. However, despite the application being turned down, the site remains in their draft Local Plan as a strategic site.

On 24th May 2016 at 7pm there is an important Councillors Meeting at Guildford Borough Council to agree their Local Plan. This will be open to the public. Wisley Action Group (WAG) is leading the fight for the removal of the site from the Local Plan and for saving the Green Belt.

The action group is currently obtaining the written opinion of a specialist planning QC to present to each individual Councillor. We must all vigorously fight for the removal of the site from their Local Plan, in order to save the Green Belt. If over 2,000 houses are built on our borders, it would have a serious impact on our community (thank you again to all who wrote opposing the application). It is also important to point out that the Applicant still has time to appeal to the inspector, and with the possible removal of the site from the Green Belt this could act in their favour.

We urge you to show your opposition to development of the Three Meadows site by attending the meeting, which is at the Guildford Borough Council Offices, Millmead, Guildford. GU21 4BB. Numbers attending in person really do count to show the strength of feeling on this.

Wisley Action Group is arranging a coach and this will leave promptly from the Parish Rooms, Ockham at 5.30pm on 24th May. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ASAP to reserve your place on it, or alternatively make your own way there.

New Town at Three Farm Meadows (Former Wisley Airfield) Refused

We are pleased that Guildford Borough Council refused the Three Farm Meadows (former Wisley Airfield) new town development Planning Application (Ref 15/P/00012) on the 6th April 2016. Three Farm Meadows is safe for now but it's likely that the developer will appeal or submit a further application.

Well done to all the local organisations who worked so hard to oppose this totally inapproriate planning application.

The Planning meeting is recorded and can be viewed for up to 6 months via the following link:-

www.guildford.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/219656

Latest News

Welcome

The Cobham Conservation and Heritage Trust (CCHT) was relaunched in November 2005 from the Cobham Conservation Group. You can find out more about the Trust on the About Us page.

We hope you enjoy exploring our website and find the information interesting and stimulating and if you are not already a member that this will spur you on to join and support us. Click on the Membership menu for more details.

Become a Volunteer with Cobham Heritage

The Cobham Conservation and Heritage Trust is a local charity which relies on vounteers to help run the Trust, promote local history and conservation issues and organise fund raising events such as our annual Cobham Heritage Day. If you think you might like to join us, visit our Volunteer Vacancies page to find out which roles you might like to get involved with. We always try to make it fun.