Politicians Urge Homes England to Resolve Woolmead Stalemate

Politicians are calling for immediate action from Homes England to address the ongoing stagnation surrounding the Woolmead site in Farnham. This situation has prompted the Farnham Herald to launch the campaign “We Mead Action: Sort Out Woolmead,” which advocates for decisive measures to tackle the current eyesore on East Street.

Both local Conservative MP Greg Stafford and Liberal Democrat campaigners stress the necessity for Homes England to facilitate either residential construction or community use on the site. Stafford characterized the prolonged state of dereliction as “totally unacceptable,” highlighting that the area has remained neglected for years. “It really needs to be built on to provide the homes we need in this area,” he stated.

Stafford has reached out to Homes England but reported receiving no response. He also contacted the Secretary of State and indicated that he was met with silence. A parliamentary question submitted on September 16 resulted in what Stafford described as a “lacklustre answer,” suggesting the need for new planning consent, a process that could further delay developments.

“This site is a prime opportunity, and there are people interested in it,” Stafford insisted. He emphasized the need for improved hoardings around the area while urging Homes England to take swift action. “There are lots of discussions between Waverley Borough Council and Homes England, but these are behind closed doors,” he noted, expressing frustration over the lack of transparency regarding the site’s future. “People need to know what the ultimate ambition is for this site. Is it going to be sold again? Is there going to be new planning permission which would delay development?”

Should progress remain stagnant, Stafford indicated he plans to escalate his concerns in Parliament.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Mark Merryweather also voiced his concerns, suggesting that ongoing delays could prevent Homes England from making a profit on the site. With rising construction costs diminishing the land’s value, he proposed that a mechanism be established whereby Homes England could incur losses on the site, allowing funds to be redirected to other public bodies to facilitate development.

“It would be simple to say the market will solve it, but we have tried this and now we are back to square one,” Merryweather stated. “Sending it back to the private market, where there is little interest in the site, is not a solution.” He called for a collaborative effort, as previous attempts by the private sector to build on the site have failed.

The Liberal Democrats remain committed to advocating for a resolution. They have not ruled out organizing demonstrations outside the site, similar to their actions in March 2024, but are also pursuing behind-the-scenes efforts to reach an agreement.

There is cross-party consensus that a solution is necessary, whether that involves creating student accommodation for the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) or implementing improvements to enhance the site’s appearance while a more permanent resolution is sought.

Homes England has been approached for comment regarding the ongoing situation.