16 January 2006.

Re: Proposed sale of Tyting Farm Guildford for development

We are regular walkers in the St Martha’s area south of Guildford and we have just been made aware of the shocking proposal by the Borough Council to sell off the above farm adjoining Halfpenny Lane in six lots at prices which will exclude future agricultural use.

While we re not opposed to every new development, we do think that the proposal to sell this large area of farmland for development would be disastrous and would be highly detrimental to the environment in this “area of outstanding natural beauty”. We suggest that the farmland should be retained in the ownership of the Borough Council and let to any responsible farmer who is willing to maintain the land and the environment. We understand that there are several local farmers who would be prepared to do this.

We hope that you will be able to oppose this proposal when it is considered by the Council. We would also like to know the date of any meeting when the matter is being considered.

16.01.06

RE: SALE OF TYTING FARM

I see that Tyting Farm is advertised for sale by the council. It seems to me, as a Guildford resident, that we need to protect our fantastic countryside and should be doing our utmost to preserve this piece of countryside for all to enjoy as a farm. My family and I regularly walk through this area and indeed regularly purchased items from the small stall that the farm had at the gate from time to time.

I know that these are tricky times for farming but have all avenues really been explored to see if Tyting could be kept as an agricultural concern. Have the local NFU been contacted? Have other farmers in the region been offered the opportunity to lease the farm. What about giving Merrist Wood some input into the equation? Could it be given to a supervised young farmer to get a start in Farming. Does it have organic status ( or could this be easily acquired) as this surely is a growing movement and the would be an enlightened way for the council to proceed. Could it have some educational input for our Guildford schools?

Surely when Guildford originally acquired the farm it was to the maintain the special quality of the environment, what then has changed: if anything I would have thought the pressures were worse now. I am afraid that this smacks of selling off the family silver without due consultation or forethought. Please consider these points.

Yours sincerely

Kate Woods,
29 Downside Road,
Guildford GU4 8PH