The 3J's nursery site on Smarts Heath Road has a long planning history; invariably attempts to justify the intensification of this green belt site with other uses. In December, an application (PLAN/2022/1110) was made to Woking Borough Council for the establishment of five junior football pitches on the sites, together with supporting buildings and an extra 27 parking spaces plus extra permeable hardstanding.
At the moment, that application is being consulted upon and it seems as though the applicant AFC Brooklands has asked all its members to write in support of it. There are many supportive voices from people who mainly live in the Addlestone and Ottershaw area, which is some distance away.
That's fine - and they have a right to express their view - but they won't have to live with the site on their doorstep. A relatively few local voices who have commented are generally against the idea on grounds of the impact the parking and hardstanding would have on the green belt, as well as noise and environment impacts from the massing of visitors.
The use itself, of sporting and recreational facilities that maintain the openness of the green belt, potentially affords an exemption to green belt restrictions.
There are some Saunders Lane residents who have expressed support - again, that is great, I'm more interested in ensuring that the views of local people are heard rather than pushing people to comment one way or another. In the end, the sheer numbers of people in favour or against is much less important than the planning points they raise.
The 3J's site is remaining in green belt for the foreseeable future and so the question is not whether or not that should be the case but whether this application represents an acceptable use of the site.
