4,000 Houses for Deepcut?

9.18.18pm GMT Wed 12th Apr 2006

Do you want to see 4,000 new houses built here?

Liberal Democrat Councillors have learned that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) wants to sell off Deepcut Barracks and its adjoining land for a massive new housing development. The MOD's plans would dwarf the recently developed Alma Dettigen estate and would be equivalent to building an area the size of Frimley, Heatherside and Lightwater all in one go.

Local Lib Dem campaigners have launched a major campaign to inform local residents about the huge development, and to actively oppose it.

A large development such as this is expected to cause major problems on local roads, with thousands of extra cars seeking access to motorway junctions, railway stations and shopping centres. The roads leading to the M25, Woking and Brookwood stations in particular are likely to become increasingly congested.

On top of the traffic implications, there would be significant impact on local public facilities, with schools, doctor's surgeries, dentists and hospital facilities bing impacted.

Other fears include pressure on the water supply, and the impact on local wildlife. The proposed site is adjacent to the Thames Valley Special protection Area (SPA) which protects 3 rare species of ground-nesting birds.

Liberal Democrats accept the need for some development if done in a manner sensitive to our local environment and if there is to be a significant proportion of affordable homes for local people. However, the size of the current plans are regarded as completely unacceptable.

Further information on this subject, with news of action individual residents can take can be found through the menu on this website.