Urgent response required to another Norwood Farm application (2015/4567)

Those who objected to the earlier applications for a rural business centre at Norwood Farm, Old Common Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 1BS may have received notification of an amended proposal (application no. 2015/4567). Looking at this, your Planning Team find that apart from relatively small detail, little has changed in terms of the proposed scale, nature and design of the development from the previously refused application (2014/1993).

Please write now and object to this new application and when objecting it is also important to state that your letter is one of objection and not just comment.

The proposal is still to build a large commercial office development of 2,766sq metres (30,000 sq ft) with car parking.

• There is no justification for a large development in the Green Belt on what was a farm. The present collection of buildings is low key, involving 17 employees and the proposed new development will have a greater impact on the openness of the Green Belt than the existing buildings and uses.
• The site is located in an unsustainable location in terms of access by non-car modes of transport, and the intensification of activities on the site in terms of comings and goings of vehicles would result in harm to the character and openness of the Green Belt.
• The proposed access would be via Elvedon Road off and onto Portsmouth Road. The location is far from reliable or convenient public transport.
• The proposed development will bring no benefit whatsoever to Cobham, only harm by additional traffic generation. It will detract from Cobham as a business centre while too far away for shops to benefit.
• This application for a significant development flies in the face of policies settled by the Core Strategy in 2011 and Green Belt objectives. If permitted it could set a dangerous precedent for pending Green Belt development.

For a more detailed review of the application please click here. To see our objection letter click here.

We would ask you to object to this new application now - 2015/4567 - and please note that the closing date for submissions to the Planning Department, Elmbridge Borough Council – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. is 25th March 2016.

Wisley Airfield Development - Public Meetings in March 2016

There are two upcoming public meetings about the proposed New Town to be built at Three Farm Meadows - the former Wisley Airfield.

If you or your neighbours want to find out what is happening, and what you can do about it, please come along.

• Wed 9th March 2016, 8pm: East Horsley Village Hall, Kingston Avenue, East Horsley, KT24 6QT. Organised by the Wisley Action group.
• Tue 22 March 2016, 8pm at the Parish Rooms, Ockham Lane, Ockham, GU23 6NP. Organised by the Ockham and Hatchford Residents Association

If you can't attend please look at the revised application (Planning Ref 15/P/00012) submitted to Guildford Borough Council and write to object, it will be counted  even though the official closing date has passed.

For further information please visit

(Click the poster on the right to download a larger version.)

Sad loss of Alan Wiseman

We were sad to learn of the death of Alan Wiseman on 15th February.

Besides his best-known contributions to village life, as a keen cricketer, a stalwart of Cobham Players and a longstanding member of St. Andrew's Church, Alan also supported the work of Cobham Heritage.

He was our first town crier on Heritage Days, and latterly he served as the Trust's representative on the Village Hall committee.

He will be much missed.

Downside & Cobham Tilt books back in stock

Click above to Download an Order FormWe are pleased to announce we have reprinted once again these popular local history books from our series celebrating Cobham's Conservation Areas.

Both of these books provides a brief history and include a guide which takes the reader on a circular route around the area covered and introduces them to some of the historical buildings which occupy these attractive conservation areas. The books are illustrated throughout with pictures from the past and today.

Each book has been written by the local historian David Taylor and published by the Cobham Conservation & Heritage Trust. The proceeds from these books go towards the Trust's projects which enhance the local area.

If you would like to buy a copy, either for yourself or as a gift, you can purchase the book direct from the Trust. Alternatively, both books are available from the Cobham Bookshop, Anyards Road, Cobham.

The cost of each book is £7.99 from the Cobham Bookshop or direct from the Trust for £8.20 which includes delivery. Alternatively, if you purchase either book at an Open Meeting or one of our other events, each book will be on sale for £6.99.

Read more: Downside & Cobham Tilt books back in stock