Bellway to contribute to new road bridge as part of £1.4 million funding for Ash

Bellway will contribute more than £1.4 million towards infrastructure as part of its planning agreement to build 51 new homes in the village of Ash, near Guildford. The funding package includes a payment of £608,226 towards the road bridge planned as part of the new A323 Guildford Road. The improvements will enable the closure of the existing level crossing.

The development, which will be known as Oakhill Meadow, will be located on land to the west of Harpers Road. The new homes will generate investment of £557,176 in education to create 12 new primary school places, nine secondary school places and four early years places.

Bellway will build 21 affordable homes for local people, as well as supporting the natural environment, police and further road improvements. Matt Hoad, Land and Planning Director for Bellway South London, said: “Our Oakhill Meadow development demonstrates how new homes can bring benefits for the whole community.

“We will be providing affordable homes, investing in a major road infrastructure project, working to protect the natural environment by improving habitats, and creating nursery and school places for the residents who will live there. The homes have been designed to complement the local architecture and will be surrounded by green corridors and open spaces.”

The affordable homes at Oakhill Meadow will include 15 for low-cost rent, one for shared ownership, and a further five to be made available under the Government’s First Homes scheme with a 30 per cent discount on the market value. This discount will remain in place when the homes are sold on, with a condition that they can only be purchased by local first-time buyers.

Bellway will pay £61,200 towards highways; £156,053 towards open spaces; £12,221 for policing and almost £50,000 to the council’s Strategic Access Management and Monitoring scheme. An area of natural greenspace will be created off-site to enhance wildlife habitats.

Work is due to start in November and the first residents will move in during 2024. The homes will be built by Bellway’s South London division, which is based in Redhill and is currently building nearby at Admiral Park in Tongham. For more information, see https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/south-london.