Development, re-development and change

Old Library Site             Almond Villa             Cliftons                              Botany Barns                Brookwood Farm

Development is a contentious subject, as what one person sees as progress and much
needed improvement can look like destructive change to another. There are a number
of locations in and around Knaphill that seem to be under review for development. But,
in the current economic climate, many of these may be put on hold and delayed until
the housing and financial markets improve.

  The old Library site at the centre of the village. Surrey
County Council always said it intended to sell the land commercially to cover the costs
of the refurbishment for the new library. (There is also the cleared site of the bungalow
behind the Co~op, which links to the library land).

Has it already been sold? Our mole says yes; but as yet we do not have confirmation. 
Many residents are concerned about what will happen to the site. Some people are asking
for the community to have use of the building in the months and maybe years it takes to
get a re-development plan in place; some want the green space to be retained; some want
a fresh start and a new amenity for the whole village to share; some think the developers
will get what they want and there is little that local people can do about it.

KRA wants to encourage a thorough local discussion and consultation before any
decisions are made.This site comes under Surrey County Council control and you should
send your comments to local SCC Councillor Diana Smith, so that she can make planners 
aware of the full range of local opinion. (See link below)

 
 Almond Villa (31-33 Broadway)
The long awaited Demolition of existing care home and construction of new care home
providing accommodation for 14 residents and staff - seems to have stalled since WBC
gave permission for it to go ahead in February 2007.  The site attracts litter and has
been vandalised. Residents have reported that the site is not being kept secure. KRA
is in touch with WBC Councillors to put pressure on the agents to do more to maintain
the site prior to re-development. (See link below)


 Cliftons Shop and site (High Street)
There were consultations about the development of this site at the end of 2007.
Local response to the proposals at that time seems to have been generally
favourable. Situation probably on hold now that market conditions have changed.
 

  Botany Barns (Barrs Lane).
Forsyth Holdings now own this once famous garden centre, but it is currently empty
of plants. Local residents are interest to know more about the new owners and
their intentions. June 2008, rumour is of potential development of this site, but we
believe no planning application is yet on the table.

 Brookwood Farm planned developments: initially where
the farm buildings were and at a future date on the adjacent land. There has been
local concern about the long term future of the green fields around Knaphill; at
present residents are watching and waiting to hear what the Local Development
Plans will be.


  16 and 16A Lwr Guildford Rd, 72 and 74 Victoria Rd.
PLAN/2008/0263. Proposal for the Demolition of Printing Works and the
erection of two 3 storey apartment blocks comprising 12 residencial units together
with car parking, refuse and landscaping.
You can see details of the plans on the WBC website and make your comments online,
via the link
http://caps.woking.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_searchform.aspx
and key in PLAN/2008/0263 in the Application Reference box.
Not yet on the agenda for Local Planning Committee meetings.
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To find out more on these developments, 
and to make your views known, use the following links:

WOKING BC: http://www.woking.gov.uk/planning  

To email WBC Councillors:  
Richard Sharp (Knaphill) cllrRichard.Sharp@woking.gov.uk
Melanie Whitehand (Knaphill) cllrmelanie.whitehand@woking.gov.uk
Oliver Wells (Knaphill)  cllrolly.wells@woking.gov.uk
Tina Liddington (Hermitage & Knaphill South) cllrtinaliddington@woking.gov.uk
Ken Howard (Hermitage & Knaphill South) cllrken.howard@woking.gov.uk

SURREY CC: www.surreycc.gov.uk

To email SCC Councillors:
Diana Smith (Knaphill) Diana.smith@surreycc.gov.uk 
Elizabeth Compton (Knaphill South, Brookwood, St Johns) e.compton@surreycc.gov.uk

Central Government MP:
Humfrey Malins: malinsh@parliament.uk House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA