Update on proposals and responses to feedback from the community

Since the consultation, we have continued to work with Guildford Borough Council, Surrey County Council and technical specialists to develop the proposals further.

This update provides a summary of the key changes and progress made.

Responding to community feedback

We carefully considered the feedback received from residents and local stakeholders. Some of the topics raised include:

• Concerns about the project name, Grove Heath North, as being the same as an existing residential road
• Traffic and highway impacts in Ripley and along Portsmouth Road
• Pressure on local infrastructure such as schools and healthcare
• Flooding and drainage across parts of the site
• The mix and type of homes
• Boundaries with near neighbours
• Protection and enhancement of the local landscape and ecology

The proposals have been updated to respond to these topics where possible.

Key updates to the proposals

Revised layout and reduced number of homes

The design of the proposed layout has been amended to:

• Pull development further away from existing homes, particularly along the eastern edge: units in the northeastern boundary removed, reduction in height to bungalows, and gardens set back from the boundary
• Introduce additional landscaping buffers to improve privacy and visual screening
• Amended red line boundary to reflect land ownership
• Hierarchy of road network improved, plus a more organic road layout
• Two different undergrounding options for pylons being considered
• A retail unit is proposed at the gateway entrance
• Development of character areas that draw on Ripley High Street, local vernacular, and nearby listed buildings

As a result, the total number of homes has been reduced from 540 to under 500 homes.

Work is continuing to refine the housing mix, following a supportive Design Review Panel in April.

View the updated outline plan

Landscape, green space and ecology

The landscape strategy has been significantly developed to enhance biodiversity and create high-quality green spaces:

• Significant landscape buffers between the development, Send Marsh and Papercourt Lake
• Increased buffer along the East Clandon Stream
• Provision of 800m of drainage ditches to support water management and biodiversity
• Protected species surveys have been undertaken, and planting will respond to local soil conditions
• Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space (SANG) will be provided off-site. This allows the landscape design to prioritise the delivery of on-site Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
• Landscape design will create a greater variety of landscape character areas within the western buffer, including edible landscapes, orchards, open parkland and wetland areas
• Improvements to existing Public Rights of Way confirmed following Surrey County Council feedback
• Creation of village green areas among the housing parcels in line with Surrey vernacular

Transport and access

Work on transport and access has progressed, including:

• Additional traffic surveys completed in May across the local road network
• Ongoing engagement with Surrey County Council and National Highways
• Development of a compact roundabout junction access design
• Improved pedestrian connections, including a new link to the bus stop on Portsmouth Road through the southern boundary of the site
• Exploration of contributions to traffic calming measures and public transport improvements with Surrey County Council

Drainage strategy

• Ongoing engagement with the lead local flood authority, who are supportive of the proposed water management approach
• The strategy combines the retention of existing water bodies with the creation of comprehensive Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS)
• The SuDS strategy has taken into account the localised ponding within the site that was reported in resident feedback
• The site is mainly Flood Zone 1 (low risk) with some Zones 2 and 3 at the western edge. Dwellings are all in Flood Zone 1

Local services and infrastructure

Discussions with local service providers have continued since the public consultation:

• Surrey County Council has confirmed that they will seek financial contributions towards education provision in Send as part of the application
• Surrey County Council and NHS Heartlands are exploring improvements to existing healthcare facilities, including Send Surgery, and would like financial contributions from Green Kite Homes
• Engagement with Thames Water is ongoing regarding utilities upgrades and phasing

Site name update

Acknowledging the existing nearby private road "Grove Heath North", the project name has been changed.

After consultation with Send and Ripley Parish Councils, Grove Heath North Residents Association and Papercourt Sailing Club, the name is now Papercourt Wey.

We have a new website address to reflect the name change and have suggested to Guildford Borough Council that relevant planning portal descriptions are changed for future planning applications.

To allow continuity with our communication with residents, the email info@groveheathnorth.co.uk will still be usable.

Next steps

Green Kite Homes is preparing to submit an outline planning application in Summer 2026.

By Winter 2026, Guildford Borough Council could make a decision on the application. If outline permission is received, there would be further engagement with stakeholders in preparation for a detailed planning application before any commencement of works.