Moor Lane (Westfield)

Where exactly is the site?

The site is located in Westfield, bordered to the south by Moor Lane, to the west by Westfield Way and Westfield Common,  and to the North by Balfour Avenue, Quartermaine Avenue and Newlands Avenue.

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Why are you building on Moor Lane?

This site in Moor Lane was identified and has been reserved for future housing development for a number of years. The boundary for the site was adopted in the 1993 Local Plan.

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How many houses will be built?

The funding, which has been secured as part of the Council's Priority Homes scheme, is to be used to build around 190 affordable rented homes on a mixed tenure development of approximately 470 homes (current planning policy allows a maximum of 50 dwellings per hectare). This means that some of the homes will be social rented housing, some will be solely owned by the occupier and the remainder will be owned jointly by the occupier and a housing provider. 

There will be a range of property types and sizes in line with the Borough's demand for housing but most will be family homes. The exact details of the homes will not be decided until a detailed planning application is submitted. This will happen at a later stage in the project. It is hoped that building on Moor Lane will improve the local environment, create a sustainable community,  as well as provide much needed housing for people of the Borough. 

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Who will live in the PFI funded homes?

The 190 homes will be let at affordable rent levels to applicants on the Council's Housing Register and will be allocated through the Council's Choice Based Lettings system, Hometrak. Hometrak's policy gives the highest priority to people with the greatest housing need who live in or work 35 hours a week (or more) in the Borough. Therefore, the people who will live in the homes are quite likely to already be residents of Woking.

There have been suggestions that migrants receive priority in the allocation of social housing. A recent study commissioned by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and the Local Government Association (LGA) in 2007, shows no evidence of bias against UK born families in social housing allocation.

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When can I see plans/designs?

Now the funding has been approved, the Council must seek a partner to work with to build and maintain the homes over an approximate 25 year period. This process may take many months.

Towards the end of 2009, there will be a detailed planning phase during which any issues relating to the development will be addressed and designs worked up. The first new homes are likely to be ready for occupation towards the end of 2011.

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What is the timetable for the way forward?

Subject to approval at each stage, the key dates for the project are as follows:

2009
  

Evaluation of outline solutions complete

Jan 09

Shortlist of bidders

  Jan 09

Land Surveys

The potential bidders will carry out feasibility surveys at Moor Lane.

  Mar 09

Consultation event

Bidders will hold consultation events with local people prior to submitting their detailed proposals to the Council.

This is your chance to get involved!

  Mar 09

Consideration of access solutions

A planning application will be submitted to determine purely access to the site (not the site layout, which will come later).

 May 09

Bidder's detailed solutions received

May 09

Evaluation of detailed solutions complete

'Competitive Dialogue' process ends.  'Competitive Dialogue' is a procurement route for complex projects.

Oct 09

Issue Call for Final Tenders (CFT)

Oct 09

CFT Bids Received

Nov 09

Preferred Bidder selected

Dec 09

Final Business Case (FBC) submitted to CLG

The FBC will provide summarised documentary evidence as to how the Contract achieved through the Competitive Dialogue process has met the objectives and key criteria developed for the scheme at the time of preparing the Outline Business Case.

Dec 09
2010
  

Detailed Planning Application submitted

Mar 10

Financial Close

Sep 10

Building of the homes commences

Sep 10
 2011 - 2013  

 New homes delivered in phases

  2011- 2013

Please note: The above timetable may be subject to change.

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What will happen with regards to flooding?

The site has already been looked at in relation to the Council's Strategic Flood Risk Assessment for the River Wey catchment, which the Council has prepared to inform future land use in the Borough - essentially to avoid building on areas most at risk of flooding. The risk of flooding on Moor Lane is considered to represent a small part of the site, at its eastern edge. This area is likely to be set aside as public open space to minimise the risk of flooding.

As part of the detailed planning process, the PFI partner will have to demonstrate to the Environment Agency that development of the site does not increase the risk of flooding to other properties. We are aware of the concerns of local residents and will ensure these are addressed.

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What will happen with regards to roads?

As part of the detailed planning process, discussions will take place with the County Highways Authority regarding access to the site, transport assessments and the likely impact on local roads. The County Highways Authority is likely to recommend measures to ensure that the access to the site is suitable and that the effect on local roads is acceptable in highway terms.

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What will happen with regards to drainage and water provisions?

Drainage and water provision will be examined as part of the detailed planning process. It is quite likely that a drainage assessment will be required to ensure that any risk of flooding is minimised. The relevant agencies and authorities, including the Environment Agency and the water and sewerage authorities, will be consulted to ensure that drainage and water provision is sustainable and satisfactory.

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What will happen with regards to schools, health provision, other facilities etc?

As part of the detailed planning process, the relevant agencies and authorities, including the County Education Authority and the Surrey Primary Care Trust, will be consulted on these matters to ensure that any infrastructure needs such as these arising from the development will be met. Residents will also have the opportunity to comment on what they think will be needed as part of the consultation and detailed planning processes outlined below.

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What consultation will there be with residents?

To ensure the success of the project, the Council intends to communicate with local people at key stages in the process to give them ample opportunity to express any concerns and to influence the development of the Moor Lane site.

Throughout 2009 there will be public workshops, newsletters and web updates.

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How can I take part in the detailed planning process?

There will be a number of opportunities for you to be involved in the detailed planning process. These are set out in the Council's Statement of Community Involvement, which sets out how the local community and other interested people and organisations will be involved in planning applications, as well as in the preparation of the planning policy documents that are part of the Council's Local Development Framework (LDF). 

One of the opportunities to take part,  before the application is made, will be when a Design and Access Statement is prepared to support the application.   The local community will certainly need to be involved in this preparation. There are a number of ways that this could be done, including holding an exhibition or a drop-in event, and holding discussions with local people. Views gathered at this stage may well shape the application.

When the application is received, the Council will notify by letter those residents likely to be affected by the proposal, as well as place a notice on the site and in the local press, inviting views on the proposal. All the comments received will need to be addressed by the Council and reported to the Planning Committee before a decision is taken.

The Statement of Community Involvement is also available to view at the Council's Civic Offices, at libraries throughout the Borough and paper copies can be provided on request.

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Where can I get more information?

If you would like further information regarding the Priority Homes project please contact the project team:

Online comments and queries form

Priority Homes, Woking Borough Council, Civic Offices
Gloucester Square, Woking. Surrey. GU21 6YL

Tel: 01483 755855

Email: priorityhomes@woking.gov.uk

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How can I obtain copies of maps and leaflets?

A copy of the site map for Moor Lane can be found here. If you require a paper copy, please contact Woking Borough Council on 01483 755855 or email priorityhomes@woking.gov.uk .