Moor Lane - statement by the Chief Executive

06 March 2013

Please note: these pages contain archived information. Whilst the details were correct when first published, they may since have 'aged' and some of the information could be out-of-date.

This statement has been issued as a result of public concern following the felling of trees in Balfour Avenue, Quartermaine Avenue and on the Moor Lane site.

"The decision to remove the trees was taken by the Chief Executive, in accordance with all necessary prior authority, in order to ensure that birds did not nest in the trees during the forthcoming nesting season.

"The removal of the eight trees in Balfour Avenue and one tree in Quartermaine Avenue was essential to enable the approved highway widening work to be undertaken (PLAN/2012/0825), which is a prerequisite to the development of the Moor Lane site. The road widening works will be implemented after the Planning Application (PLAN/2013/0081) for the Moor Lane site is determined and prior to the commencement of any development of the Moor Lane site.

"The principle of development of the Moor Lane site is well established and has been tested through two inquiries in public; the first a Public Inquiry for the Local Plan 1999 and more recently through an Examination in Public for the current Approved Woking Core Strategy October 2012 which identifies the site for the provision of some 440 dwellings. The detail of the development of the Moor Lane site is currently the subject of a Planning Application, (PLAN/2013/0081), which proposes 371 dwellings, and will be determined, in due course, by the Local Planning Authority.

"The removal of a further nine trees within the Moor Lane site was implemented in agreement with Surrey County Council (SCC), as landowner, and following consultation with the tenant farmer. The on-site tree removals were also required to avoid nesting of birds; with one of the trees on the boundary with Moor Lane being removed because it was unsafe. No public notice was served as all works were carried out within the site controlled by SCC and the tenant farmer.

"The removal of the trees in all areas did not contravene any Planning or Environmental regulation and did not need further formal consents; all necessary consultations and due processes were followed. The removal of trees on the Moor Lane site still allows the land to be used as farmland until such time as the Local Planning Authority determines the Planning Application (PLAN/2013/0081). The removal of trees does not pre-determine the Planning Application.

"The next stages of preparatory work include the demolition of 34 and 35 Westfield Way and further work to facilitate the Highway widening. There will be an application by Surrey County Council (SCC) for a Temporary Road Closure Order to allow Southern Gas Networks to undertake service diversion work and SCC to undertake the road widening work. There will also be work by other service providers e.g. BT, Virgin Media and others to divert services. A Priority Homes newsletter will be delivered to all properties whose residents access Westfield Road via Balfour Avenue by 8 March 2013.

"The detailed scheme for Moor Lane (Planning Application PLAN/2013/0081) continues to be subject to modification following representations from consultees, including residents. Whilst the statutory planning consultation period has ended, all representations received by the Local Planning Authority prior to the determination of the application will continue to be considered."

Ray Morgan
Chief Executive
Woking Borough Council
6 March 2013