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Wisley Airfield

Background

The proposals consist of the redevelopment of the Former Wisley Airfield, Surrey to provide a new settlement and landscape infrastructure, including a Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG).

The site lies within Guildford Borough Council (GBC) and forms one of their strategic allocations within the Local Plan – Policy A35 Former Wisely Airfield known as the Wisley New Settlement (‘WNS’). The site is under the ownership of three landowners and covers 135 hectares and is being considered for 2000 dwellings plus other facilities.

This application covers the largest parcel 114.3 hectares of the site known in planning at the Former Wisley Airfield (FWA). The Application Proposal provides for:

  • circa 1,730 dwellings (C3 use).
  • 100 Sheltered/Extra care homes (C2 use).
  • 8 gypsy and traveller pitches.

Site details and constraints

  • Open countryside location.
  • Significant vegetation.
  • Affects buildings of heritage interest.
  • Conservation Area.
  • Area of Ancient Woodland.
  • Local Nature reserve.
  • Affects the setting of the Surrey Hills AONB.
  • Affects setting of an SNCi.

Our role

MEP was approached and appointed by Davies Landscape Architects to complete the Building with Nature Assessment. As an Approved Assessor, our role was to compile the application for Award, which involves drawing together all of the evidence of compliance with the 12 BwN Standards.

The BwN Assessor can also use the Standards to help shape the project (development or policy), to maximise the chances of the project being able to demonstrate compliance with all 12 Standards, and evidence that it will effectively deliver high-quality green infrastructure.

Following this, MEP submitted the completed assessment ready for audit. This is the process by which we can assess eligibility for a Building with Nature Award, based on the evidence provided by the BwN Approved Assessor.

Outcomes

Submission of the Building with Nature Assessment.

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