Sale of Tyting Farm Deferred

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 14th Apr 2006

Local ward councillor Gordon Bridger welcomed last Thursday's decision by the Borough Council's Executive to defer their decision on the possible sale of Tyting Farm until 25 May. The decision to delay was made in a packed council chamber, following strong objections to the proposed sale from representatives of the Save Tyting Farm Campaign, CPRE, East Guildford Residents Association and Surrey Wildlife Trust, and a petition against the sale with 2,000 signatures. This follows growing concerns by residents that the land might be acquired by speculative developers, especially as the land could be sold in six separate lots.

Cllr Gordon Bridger, a Liberal Democrat councillor for Holy Trinity, told the Executive "All councillors care deeply about this land, and environmental considerations must be the prime motivation. Although last year it looked as though sale of the land was the only course open to us, I did not agree with the proposal to sell it in small lots. The council should make sure the farm land is retained in one unit. Now we have a new development - Surrey Wildlife Trust are interested in taking over the management of the land. So the Executive must reconsider the decision to sell."

Cllr Sarah Creedy, the Conservative councillor for Holy Trinity, suggested the three lots containing buildings could be sold, retaining for now the fields of lots 4, 5, and 6 while discussions were held with Surrey Wildlife Trust. However the Trust would require a strip of land taken from lot 1 to connect the fields, and the Executive were told the prospective buyer of lot 1 was reluctant to consider allowing this.

Liberal Democrat councillors argued that it would be premature to sell off any part of the farm until all options could be fully explored. After debate, the Executive agreed to defer the decision to 25 May, enabling further investigation with farmers into keeping the land in agricultural use or allowing Surrey Wildlife Trust to manage it. The Executive also accepted that the 'clawback' provisions should be re-examined to provide stronger safeguards, should the Council dispose of the site.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Bridger said "I am very pleased the Executive have taken the sensible decision to look at other options such as allowing Surrey Wildlife Trust to manage the land. Much credit should go to the local residents who have worked to promote alternatives to fragmenting this land for sale. I'm hopeful a solution can now be found that keeps the farm land together in one piece."