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After years of debate, plans for 1,800 homes to be built at Dunsfold Park were approved by the government on Thursday (March 29).

The controversial proposals for the home of the Top Gear track and the annual Wings and Wheels event were granted permission despite a fierce backlash from parish councils and campaign groups - with many concerned about the effect on the already-strained infrastructure.

Dunsfold Airport Ltd and its partner the Rutland Group first submitted plans in 2015 and they were initially approved by Waverley Borough Council the following year.

However, a huge amount of pressure from opposing groups led to Secretary of State Sajid Javid to call the decision in.

Inspector Philip Major reviewed the application as part of a public inquiry in July and it has now been approved.

Dunsfold Park Ltd’s chief executive Jim McAllister said: “This is a very positive decision.

“The development of Dunsfold Aerodrome will provide homes for all sections of the community including young families currently priced out of the area, create new jobs and deliver a range of new community facilities together with infrastructure improvements.

“We look forward to working with Waverley Borough Council to progress the detail.”

A village for the 21st century

The newly-approved site will be a village for the future, according to a presentation at the inquiry.

Andrew Beharrell, executive director of architecture and urban design firm Pollard Thomas Edwards, presented a 10-point vision for the application.

Mr Beharrel, who has been working on the Dunsfold Park vision since 2005, said there would be a major community hub at the centre of the development.

Plans for a runway park almost two kilometres long were revealed.

How will the site affect transport?

The vision was presented following concerns raised over the safety of transport around the development site.

Vera Lamont, director of transport planning consultants Mayer Brown, told the inquiry the settlement will not “impact on highway safety”.

She said she had no objections to the application on the grounds of transport planning.

However, residents raised concerns around traffic and safety.

Issues were raised by speakers from the public gallery over the safety of adding more traffic to country lanes, which serve the A3 and major stations in the area.

Following the decision, Peter Martin, Waverley borough councillor for the Godalming Holloway ward, said: “I’m pleased to hear the Secretary of State’s decision but the major concern continues to be the infrastructure, and in particular transport infrastructure, needed to support the expansion of housing.”

Yet traffic infrastructure continues to be an ongoing concern.

Godalming town mayor Anne Bott said: “The fact that the planning application has been granted means it is going to have a significant impact on Godalming and villages in terms of traffic, car parking, the use of railway facilities at Godalming.

“Godalming is already nose to tail with parked cars.

“The application has been the biggest concern for Godalming.

“I understand it’s a decision for the development, but it is the impact on all the surrounding areas because of the travel routes.”

What will happen to Top Gear?

BBC’s Top Gear is currently filmed on the track at Dunsfold Park and the BBC made no comment on the show’s future locations.

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