Savills is the lead consultant and planning project manager for the site promotion and submission of an Outline Planning Application for a new settlement at Wisley Airfield in Guildford Borough. Over the past nine years, Savills has been instructed on planning and development consultancy, as well as agency. The site is challenging, having been Green Belt until 2019, and located close to the congested A3 and Special Protections Areas (SPAs). Savills was originally instructed by Wisley Property Investments Ltd (WPIL) and, since March 2020, by Taylor Wimpey, who acquired the site.
Savills had promoted the site via the Local Plan process for seven years. Guildford Borough Council consulted on its Local Plan at various stages, which included Wisley as a draft allocation for a new settlement for 2,000 dwellings (plan period 2015-2034).
The plan was adopted in 2019 and had been subject to a Judicial Review until March 2020. The process also involved the preparation, coordination and determination of a Planning Appeal, which narrowed the remaining matters to Green Belt and strategic transport. As part of this process, Savills also supported WPIL through the emerging DCO regarding M25/A3 junction 10 improvements, which also included new infrastructure to serve RHS Wisley through Wisley Airfield. Throughout the promotion and various determination processes, Savills actively engaged with Guildford Borough Council, Surrey County Council and the full range of Statutory Consultees. Savills added value has been demonstrated through the successful allocation of the site in the emerging Local Plan, and continued work on an Outline Application.
The original Appeal was dismissed in Summer 2018. Despite this, the land at Wisley was allocated within the recently adopted Guildford Local Plan for 2,000 dwellings, on the basis the Appeal resolved many issues. Savills continues to provide a coordination and planning consultancy role and will work up a fresh application for submission in 2021.