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Protesters said building on the green belt site would have ‘catastrophic’ effects on fauna and flora

Artist impression of plans which have been formally submitted for 2,100 homes at Wisley Airfield
More than 120,000 people have signed an electronic petition against a proposed 2,100 home development in Wisley.
The signatures, some from people living as far away as Brazil, Venezuela, and Texas, states it is against developers ‘destroying the UK’s beautiful green belt’.
The petition comes as Wisley Property Investments, the group behind the plans to redevelop the former Wisley Airfield, claims that 46% of 1,002 respondents of a recent telephone survey support a new development in the area, with 30% against.
“If this plan goes ahead detrimental harm will be done to the rural landscape character of the area and the openness of this precious greenbelt,” the Care 2 petition claims.
“Damage will occur to the habitats of the protected and endangered rare species in contravention of the EU Birds Directives and Habitats Regulation. Aside from the catastrophic effect this will have on our fauna and flora, these developers are ignoring the impact this new town will have on local residents. Major traffic issues will clog small village roads, which are at capacity already.”
Comments attached to some of the signatures include suggestions that brownfield land should be used for developments instead, and that the green belt is what makes the area beautiful.
This week, 123,083 people had signed the petition, with a target set for 124,000.
The project, described by the applicant as a ‘sustainable new community’, features a range of one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom family houses, and affordable homes.
As well as more than 2,000 homes, the application includes plans for a school, a care home and shops, and is now with the borough council’s planning officers for consideration.
Initial designs for a town of more than 2,000 homes which could be built on the site of Wisley Airfield