New housing plans for land around Woking Football Club
The proposals have already been met with opposition
A smaller development of 168 homes is in the pipeline for land next to Woking Football Club – but has already met with opposition.
GolDev wants to redevelop two brownfield sites in Kingfield with a maximum height of six storeys, rather than the 11 proposed in a failed application last year for 1,048 homes.
And the director has made a promise to residents that if he wins the appeal, he will not go ahead with it – as long as his new application is given consent.
Unlike the Cardinal Court plans however, which would have increased Kingfield Stadium’s capacity to over 9,000 seats, the new proposal does not include a new stadium or stand for the football club – and does not have their support.
GolDev says the scheme is designed in such a way as to enable future enhancements such as an improved 2,000 seat West Stand.
But Woking FC’s board say they feel it would have an “extremely negative impact” on the club.
Chairwoman Rosemary Johnson released a statement on their website: “Woking Football Club would like to place on record that it does NOT support the new development scheme proposed by Wayne Gold of GolDev.
“What is required is a fully-funded West Stand with associated facilities, which this development does not provide.”
She said the new development ‘does not take into account any requirements for safety access to the stand’ and ‘would hem the club in and prohibit any improvements to the club on the west side of the ground’.
Director Wayne Gold did not want to respond to the club’s statement, but said his ‘door was open’.
He said he had ‘made a promise’ that if this new application is permitted he will withdraw the appeal for the previous larger scheme. And if both are successful, he will not implement the appeal, which is due to be heard by the planning inspectorate from May 10.
The developer last time was GWL (GolDev Woking Limited), a subsidiary company run by Mr Gold together with Richard and Spencer Leslie from Dukelease. Dukelease has since withdrawn, but Mr Gold said GolDev could take it forward alone.
He wants to hear residents’ views – but they will have to get in quick, with a little over a week until the deadline.
The 168 flats and townhouses would be 45% ‘affordable’ and range from studio to three-beds but mostly be two-bed or larger.
There would be 88 units on the football club side of Westfield Avenue (site 1) and 80 further along Kingfield Road opposite the park (site 2), with both sites having between three and six storeys.
Some of the land is currently occupied by residential dwellings. The new plans do not require David Lloyd leisure centre to relocate, and would include a shop on the corner of Westfield Avenue and Kingfield Road.
South Woking Action Group (SWAG), a 500-strong group formed in summer 2019 to fight the previous application, has voted to oppose the new proposal.
Chairman Andy Caulfield said: “At least he’s listened and he’s come back with something smaller.
“But as always with a developer, he’s gone a bit too far. It’s too big, too bulky, and it changes the nature of the area. I said just do site 1 and you’ll get more support, but then it isn’t as profitable.
“We need something that helps the club, helps the housing situation and doesn’t create a ghetto and alienate the neighbours.
“Site 1 with less density, site 2 should just be three storey townhouses at most, and a proper integrated west stand for the football club – I think that would please everybody.
“There’s no point continuing to build high rises with shoebox flats; the greatest need in Woking is for family homes, that’s a much better option than going up all the time.”
Mr Gold said: “It doesn’t work any lower. We can’t reduce it and make it financially viable and provide 45% affordable housing.
“We’re below the council’s density requirement and it’s comparable with Willow Reach apartments up to five storeys across from Hoe Stream.”
An outline planning application will be submitted to the council shortly after the closing date for comments on March 8 at 6pm.