140 New Homes Planned for Send Green Belt: What Locals Need to Know
Major Housing Development Decision Coming to Send This Week
Residents of Send, Ripley and Wisley are bracing for a significant planning decision that could reshape their villages. Gleeson Ltd’s proposals for 140 homes on Aldertons Farm, located off Send Marsh Road behind Lotus Manor Care Home, will be discussed by Guildford Borough Council’s planning committee on Wednesday, July 22. The development sits squarely between three established communities—Send, Burntcommon and Send Marsh—making it a focal point for neighbourhood concerns.
The developer’s plans include creating a substantial 15-hectare Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) and promises that 50% of the new homes will be affordable housing. Access would be gained from Send Marsh Road. The planning officer’s recommendation for conditional approval has already been submitted, setting the stage for what promises to be a contentious decision.
What makes this proposal particularly significant for locals is its context. These aren’t just 140 houses in isolation—they’re part of a wave of development transforming this corner of Surrey. With thousands of homes either approved, under construction, or in the pipeline across Send, Ripley and Wisley, many residents feel their communities are reaching a breaking point.
Infrastructure at Breaking Point: What Residents Are Saying
If you’ve sat in traffic on Send Marsh Road during rush hour, you already understand why local residents are deeply concerned. A sprawl of 165 objections has been submitted to Guildford’s planning portal, with residents painting a picture of communities stretched to their limits.
One Send resident’s testimony captures the sentiment perfectly: roads like Send Marsh Road and the A247 are already congested during peak times. When recent roadworks closed Send Marsh Road temporarily, a single mile took nearly 25 minutes to navigate. The surrounding areas—Guildford builders, local tradespeople, and small businesses—are reporting increased strain from the volume of traffic and construction activity.
Beyond roads, locals point to GP surgeries operating with lengthy waiting times, schools running oversubscribed, and inadequate local shopping facilities forcing residents to drive to Ripley or Burpham for groceries. The cumulative effect of so much development happening simultaneously—whether it’s major schemes like Wisley Airfield (1,720 homes), Burpham (1,800 homes), or Allium Park in Send (620 homes)—has pushed the infrastructure to what residents describe as complete saturation. Many argue that adding 140 more dwellings without corresponding investment in services would tip the balance into dysfunction.
What Happens Next: How This Affects Your Community
The decision on July 22 will shape the immediate future of Send and neighbouring villages. If approved, construction could begin within months, bringing all the associated impacts—building traffic, noise, disruption to local roads, and increased demand on schools and healthcare services.
For those involved in local trades and building services—from Guilford builders undertaking standard construction to specialists handling loft conversion and loft rebuilding projects in existing homes—the development pipeline represents both opportunity and competition for resources. Local contractors are already stretched thin managing current projects.
What should residents do? Attend the planning meeting if possible, submit any remaining comments directly to Guildford Borough Council, and engage with local councillors about infrastructure concerns. Connect with community groups already coordinating responses to the broader housing surge across the area.
Watch for the council’s decision and any conditions imposed. Monitor progress on the Allium Park scheme nearby—how that project unfolds will influence how Send develops. Finally, consider how services like GP appointments, school places, and road capacity might change, and plan accordingly. This development represents a critical juncture for the character and livability of these Surrey villages.
Source: Plans for 140 homes on Surrey village green belt land set to be decided
