Decision details

To approve a virement of £45,000 from the Capital Contingency fund to provide a capital grant towards the purchase of Tice’s Meadow by Surrey County Council so that the land is retained for community use.

Subject to approval by their Cabinet on 26th October 2021, Surrey County Council are proposing to purchase a piece of land called ‘Tice’s Meadow’ from Hansons at an agreed price of £425,000 plus legal and SDLT costs which will mean a budget of £450,000 is required in total.

Surrey County Council have approached Guildford Borough Council and other partners in relation to the site with a request to contribute 10 to 15% of the purchase price. As the land is listed as an asset of community value and has SANG potential, the Leader of the Council would like to provide a 10% contribution towards the acquisition.

The land known as Tice’s Meadow (formerly Farnham Quarry) is a restored sand and gravel site owned and operated by Hanson Aggregates. The site area is approx 55 ha.

The site was formally opened in May 2019 and is now subject to a 20 year aftercare and long term Management Plan, pursuant to the Section 106 Agreement of the extraction permission.

The site has been restored to a nature conservation end use, with permissive public access along the northern boundary. It also afforded the opportunity to incorporate a realignment and enhancement of the River Blackwater by the Environment Agency. The restoration and long term management is overseen by a Management Group comprising Hanson, SCC, Tice’s Bird Group, Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership, and Farnham Residents Association.
The Nature Reserve, is currently listed by both Waverley and Guildford Borough Council as an Asset of Community Value.

Part of the site has an element of SANG (Sustainable Alternative Greenspace) potential, given the sanctuary nature of the site, along its northern boundary but this remains subject to ongoing discussion with Natural England to clarify the exact suitability of the SANG area.
There remains the scope to create wider opportunities to link Tice’s Meadow with Surrey County Councils adjacent lands at Tongham Pools, including the back area of the service station site between the two. SCC has been seeking to advance their Tongham Pools as a SANG - with Rushmoor BC’s adjoining park providing parking access.

The purchase of the site for community use will mean that Guildford residents will be able to use it to access Tongham Pools and the greater countryside park being proposed.

Five options have been considered by SCC and parties making up the management group:
1. An existing community led bid purchases the land;
2. A Lead Authority purchases the land, with financial contributions from other authorities – but management rests with the Lead Authority;
3. A consortium of public bodies buy the land, with the existing management group managing the site;
4. Another arrangement;
5. Do nothing