The Future Of Dunsfold Park: Positive Community Feedback On Proposals
6 June 2006
Dunsfold Park Limited, a joint venture company owned by The Rutland Group and The Royal Bank of Scotland, has received encouraging feedback on its proposals for the redevelopment of the 240 ha (600 acre) aerodrome site, Dunsfold Park.
Responses have been compiled from questionnaires received following a public exhibition in February, which attracted over 500 visitors. During the exhibition, visitors were able to comment on alternative futures for the site, review ideas to develop a new village at Dunsfold Park and view three masterplan options for the design and layout of a possible new settlement. Visitors were also able to view a film on 'The Future of Dunsfold Park' and speak to the professional team.
From the questionnaire responses, 71% of respondents ranked 'develop a new settlement' as their preferred or second choice option.
Jim McAllister, Chief Executive for The Rutland Group, comments: "We were encouraged to see so many exhibition attendees and so much of the community getting involved by commenting on our proposals for the future of Dunsfold Park. All comments received have been analysed by the professional team and fed back into the next stage of the design proposals."
The community was also asked to feedback on initial masterplan ideas, designed by award-winning architects Pollard Thomas Edwards, for the creation of a vibrant, sustainable mixed-use settlement at Dunsfold Park. The proposed new development on one of the largest privately owned sites in Surrey will open up a brownfield site for retained and improved business space, new homes, including affordable housing, and it will feature community facilities, leisure uses, open parkland and water uses plus bridleways and footpaths.
Three masterplan options for a new settlement, the Island, Parkland and High Street Schemes, were presented at the exhibition, on the Dunsfold Park website and on a consultation handout also available at public venues in the local area. Common features to all three - new homes, community facilities, recreation and wildlife, jobs for local people and public transport - were regarded as favourable by 67% or more of the questionnaire respondents.
Continues McAllister: "The feedback we have received reflects the need for new housing, and in particular affordable housing, plus much improved public transport and more diverse employment in the Cranfold area. It is clear from the 82% of people who stated that they strongly agree or agree with the idea of new areas for recreation and wildlife that we need to achieve all of the other objectives whilst maintaining and enhancing the countryside feel of the area. The environment is key to this development; it has always been, and remains, our intention to create one of the most sustainable, green developments in the UK."
The Parkland and High Street schemes have emerged as the favourite options.
On the next stage for the development proposals, McAllister comments: "The consultation exercise has provided us with constructive feedback on those design elements of all three masterplans which are favoured by the community and the commercial businesses currently on site. This feedback has now allowed us to shape a preferred masterplan option, based on an amalgamation of the features favoured in the Parkland and High Street schemes, which we look forward to presenting to the public in the summer. We aim to submit a planning application in the later part of this year."
A revised masterplan will be unveiled to the public on Saturday 24 June at the Cranleigh Arts Centre. Members of Dunsfold Park Limited will be on hand to answer questions on 24 June and the display will stay in the Arts Centre up to, and including Sunday 2 July. Members of the public are encouraged to pick up a handout and feedback form, which will also be available at key locations throughout the Cranfold area.
Information on the future of Dunsfold Park and the progression of the masterplan will continue to be available at www.dunsfoldpark.co.uk.