To: Guildford Borough Council

FAO: Pedro Wrobel and Claire Upton-Brown in their capacity as CEO and Head of Planning respectively

We, the undersigned residents and concerned citizens, urgently call on Guildford Borough Council to take immediate and decisive action in relation to the unauthorised encampment and development at Unstead Lane, which lies within the Green Belt and has been earmarked for inclusion in the Surrey Hills National Landscape.

The works undertaken on this land have been carried out without planning permission, in direct contravention of planning law and in blatant disregard for the special protections afforded to land. The Council has a clear duty of care to its residents to enforce planning rules fairly and consistently, yet to date it has failed to act effectively to prevent the ongoing damage to this highly protected landscape.

We therefore demand that Guildford Borough Council:

1. Issue an immediate stop notice to prevent any further unauthorised works at the site.
2. Refuse to validate the retrospective planning application submitted in relation to the site
3. Reject any future planning applications relating to this land, in line with national and local planning policy protecting the Surrey Hills National Landscape and Green Belt land.
4. Commence immediate enforcement action to remove the unlawful encampment and works, and to require full restoration of the site to its previous condition.

Why this matters

Residents and taxpayers expect and deserve equal protection under planning law. The Surrey Hills National Landscape and Green Belt exist to safeguard our countryside for the benefit of all, not to be eroded by unlawful development. Allowing this encampment to remain would set a dangerous precedent that planning law can be ignored without consequence.

Guildford Borough Council must uphold its duty of care to the community by acting swiftly and decisively to protect our local environment, restore fairness, and maintain trust in the planning system.