The KGV Hall was full to its maximum capacity of 138 at the public meeting held by Berkeley Homes yesterday evening about the planning application they have submitted for 600 homes on Effingham Lodge Farm. Over 100 more people were unable to get in to the meeting. Berkeley Homes have agreed to hold a further meeting for those unable to enter the packed hall.
Many residents unable to enter the hall left their contact details with the KGV management. Those who left before able to do so, who only left telephone numbers or want to confirm their contact details can email EFFRA at info@effinghamresidents.org.uk with their names and email address so they can be informed about a further meeting. The Contact Us facility can also be used. Their details will remain confidential to EFFRA, the Parish Council and KGV management.
At the meeting, following a presentation by Berkeley Homes, residents raised a large number of questions and major concerns about the application. Berkeley Homes were questioned on proposed plans to build 600 family homes having abandoned a scheme to rebuild a school that they had spent 15 years arguing was not fit for purpose. They were informed by audience members that the Howard was currently operating at above PAN and there was no capacity in the area. The Berkeley Homes team said if that were the case they would make contributions demanded by the planning authority. They could not explain where children would go to school. Other questions and concerns covered the impact of increasing the number of homes in the village by 50% including traffic and parking in a village where these are already problems (including construction traffic route over the old railway bridge at Effingham Junction), high surface water and drainage on the site, lack of any additional infrastructure being offered including a doctors’ surgery and the impact on the rich wildlife on the site. Residents also complained that leaflets advertising the meeting had not been delivered to most homes as promised and that most had found out about the meeting through social media.
The application 26/P/01289 can now be viewed here on Guildford Borough Council’s website. The EFFRA Committee is very aware of residents’ concerns and their desire to oppose this application. It will be holding urgent discussions with the Parish Council.