VILLAGERS turned up in force to a public meeting in Chiddingfold last week, organised by the parish council, over the impact of a proposed new town at Dunsfold Park. The deadline for objections and comments over the plan to build 2,600 new homes has been extended to June 15. About 200 people turned up for the meeting in the village hall, and parish council chairman Christine Tebbot said: "I recognise people from right across the village here. It is an excellent turnout, especially as we were not able to give much notice. They have responded magnificently." Richard Hogsflesh, a 'Stop Dunsfold Town' campaign organiser and Chiddingfold Parish Council vice chairman, said the meeting had resulted in a lot more people adding their objections – as of Monday, Waverley Borough Council's consultation web site recorded 1,600 registered comments. "But compared to say, the East Street development in Farnham, where there are 5,000 objections, we have still a long way to go." He said no one was there representing the developers, because the meeting was about the impact on Chiddingfold rather than the plans and development itself. If permission is granted, a new road will be built to link the development to the A281. Mr Hogsflesh said: "As far as I can see, there will be a new access roundabout to the A281 and that is the only road improvement that they will make. "The main concerns at the meeting were more traffic loads on local roads and the extra strain on infrastructure." After outlining the plans "There were a lot of comments from the 'floor' and the overwhelming views were against the plans, particularly from the point of view of roads, schools, hospital access and water supply. "Some people were raising the point in particular about low water pressure along High Street Green and the consequence of more users. Thames Water have notified Waverley that they have to put some major improvements in place and it would take at least three years before work could start." The points raised in favour were mainly over the developers' pledge to build 'affordable' housing. "But these need to be in existing towns and villages, not in some newly-created ghetto," Mr Hogsflesh added. The Stop Dunsfold Town campaign group has organised a leaflet, web site and public meetings to rally support against the proposals. On its web site, http://www.stopnewtown.com">www.stopnewtown.com, they state: "This development will have a major impact on anyone living in the towns and villages in the Guildford – Horsham – Haslemere triangle. "The new town will be two and a half times the size of Chiddingfold and will be built in 10 years rather than over 1,000 years. Our infrastructure and precious countryside cannot cope with such a massive and rapid increase in population." It is feared that unacceptable extra traffic would use the narrow country lanes and the A281 (critically worsening the Bramley bottleneck) and A283, which will affect all routes and rat-runs to the A3 at Milford and the roads to the south of Dunsfold Park. The developers' own web site: http://www.dunsfoldpark.co.uk">www.dunsfoldpark.co.uk states: "Dunsfold Park Ltd (a joint venture between The Rutland Group and The Royal Bank of Scotland) has been considering options for the future redevelopment of Dunsfold Park since the acquisition of the site from BAe in 2002. "Dunsfold Park Ltd's professional team has now developed a preferred 'master plan' for the creation of a sustainable new village settlement at Dunsfold Aerodrome to replace the current aviation uses." Waverley borough councillor David Inman, whose ward is one third in Dunsfold and two-thirds in Chiddingfold, said: "They are proposing 2,601 homes and they are proposing double the size of the industrial park. The effect of 2,600 houses appearing there would have a significant impact on the A283, but catastrophic on the A281. "But I have not yet made up my mind about the development," he added. Public comments can be made by e-mail to Waverley Borough Council: planconsult@waverley. gov.uk or in writing to: Corporate Services and Planning Department, Waverley Borough Council, Council Offices, The Burys, Godalming GU7 1HR, quoting reference number: WA/2008/0788.

CHIDDINGFOLD village residents who attended last Thursday's public meeting over the Dunsfold new town plans told the Herald: Sue Bishop, from Ashcombe, Chiddingfold said: "What I am bothered about is the impact on local roads. If this (access to the A281) is the only improvement that they are going to make, I can see people heading to Witley, Godalming or Milford rail stations using the local lanes. All these stations have not got sufficient parking to cope as it is. "There are usually only two or three spaces after the rush hour for local parking, it is almost all taken up by commuters and you are lucky to find a space." Tim Langdon, of Hart's Grove, said: "I think it will be a lovely place for people who live there but I am not convinced it is in the right place. "The reality of it being built, and particularly the difference it will make to roads will be horrendous. The routes towards the A281 are already busy and almost 3,000 houses will make a big difference. "In some areas of the country some people are used to using public transport, but in a rural community like ours the infrastructure is not there." Ann Adams, of Petworth Road, said: "I do not object to a development as such, but on the A281, unless they are going to to widen it from Godalming to Horsham, there is no overtaking and with 2,600 houses – that is 5,000 more cars going in one direction or the other – whichever way they go, they have to cross the A281." Vincent Hawkins said: "I believe that Dunsfold Airfield is the number one emergency back-up for Gatwick for aircraft landing, the airstrip is longer than Gatwick I am told. If there is an emergency the planes would put down there. Also there is no reason why it should not be developed for aircraft maintenance, which would give local employment. There is also no provision in the plans, I can see, for a school or other amenities. Harold Mallard said: "The Government made a promise that Dunsfold would be returned to agriculture at the end of the war – that never happened." Una Berrow said: "I think it is an ideal site. Utilities are already laid on for Dunsfold Park and it is well sited for Cranleigh. I should think it will do them quite a bit of good, with extra custom going there, and the housing is badly needed. I think it is a good thing, mind you, I don't live near it."