EFFRA is publishing the article below by Paula Moss founder of Ruralroar.org.uk as we believe the issues raised will be of interest to Effingham residents because of the implications for future development in the village. Paula is also Vice Chair of Effingham Parish Council.
In August the government released yet another update to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) the primary document setting out the government’s planning policies for England. This one focussed on releasing more of the Green Belt for development through the identification of “grey belt”. The result has been nothing short of dramatic. Here is the assessment of Guildford Borough Council (GBC). On the left, Guildford’s Green Belt is assessed for the strength of its contribution to the Green Belt. On the right, after the application of the grey belt test 99.6% of all sites around our villages have been labelled grey belt. A score of such proportions can hardly be judged fit for purpose.
Around Effingham all green fields—every single one of 7 sites— have been designated as grey belt – including Effingham Common. Whilst there are other protections in place for the common, its proximity to the station makes it and the land close to it, especially susceptible to potential development. The latest NPPF assumes permission for development on sites within walking distance of suitable stations. Effingham Common is registered to GBC but will soon pass to the new West Surrey Council. A council under pressure to deliver thousands of new homes might be tempted to grasp a large nettle.
I’ve launched Ruralroar.org.uk as a rallying point for a campaign aiming to suspend application of the grey belt test on land around villages in the Green Belt until the test can be reformed. It is currently not fit for purpose. We need houses and we may even need some on Green Belt – but not like this, and not land that strongly serves the core purposes of the Green Belt.
Ruralroar.org.uk is seeking reform to ensure that brownfield land is identified and released ahead of any Green Belt land that supports the purposes of the Green Belt and that land around our ancient villages is afforded the same respect in grey belt assessments as historic towns. Local Plans and Green Belt boundaries should be determined by locally elected councils – not dictated by the speculative demands of developers.
I’ll be calling for support for the campaign shortly, including a demand that Guildford Borough Council hand back Effingham Common to this parish. In the meantime, if you want to be armed with the facts visit my website www.ruralroar.org.uk sign up for updates and I promise to keep you informed about what’s happening and what you can do. I’ll also be posting updates on Facebook at @ruralroaruk – please follow if you can. Effingham Parish Council has adopted a resolution backing the campaign and the Effingham Residents Association committee also support it.
Effingham Parish Council has called an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday 22nd September at 7.30pm in the Parish Room in The Street to consider and decide on a proposed submission to Guildford Borough Council responding to the AECOM Green Belt assessment. Work with other parishes to exert pressure on the government to reform the policy is also underway. Another public meeting is planned for October 9th at East Horsley Village Hall 7.30pm (doors open 7pm). I’ll circulate more details shortly, when confirmed, but we hope to have Zoe Franklin, our M.P. present to take questions alongside other local councillors.
In the meantime, I urge all residents to understand these implications of the latest NPPF and be ready to support our campaign for reform of grey belt policies.