Effingham Residents Association

05/09/2026

EFFRA and Parish Council object to Care Home application

Both EFFRA and Effingham Parish Council have made objections to the planning application 26/P/01014 https://publicaccess.guildford.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=_GUILD_DCAPR_214534 submitted by Aspire LPP, a private company that sources, designs, and develops bespoke care and residential properties nationwide, to build a 72 room care home for high dependency elderly adults on Effingham Common Road at the entrance to the village. (This was previously reported in posts on 21 August, 8 July and 26 June). Both organisations believe the location which is outside the settlement area of the village and in the Green Belt is not grey belt and is unsuitable for a high dependency care home of this size and that it would:

- Cause harm to the character of the village and Conservation Area by its mass, height and size.

- Increase traffic congestion both before and after construction on what is already a very busy road with previous documented safety issues related to the school and adding a new access close to three existing access points and the crossing point to the school at the roundabout.

- Have a harmful effect on St Lawrence Primary School and the pupils attending it both during construction and once completed due to noise and traffic, with safeguarding and privacy issues for the children as the care home will directly overlook the school playing field.

You can read EFFRA’s objection herehttps://effinghamresidents.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/EFFRAObjection26_P_01014.pdf and the Parish Council’s herehttps://publicaccess.guildford.gov.uk/online-applications/files/D63EC2840A4C7FD49284699AC1B16DBE/pdf/26_P_01014-EFFINGHAM_PARISH_COUNCIL_-_OBJECT-2271370.pdf

There are currently 24 public objections and 12 supports. Residents can comment at 26/P/01014 or by emailing [email protected] with the planning application number and details, their name and address (the address will be redacted by the council) and their comment which should say whether they object to or support the application. The consultation is open until the close of tomorrow 5th September but late comments are usually accepted until the application is actively under consideration.

23/08/2026

Glorious Grange Gardens – Thursday & Friday 27th & 28th August

Do go along next Thursday or Friday to look at all the garden areas within The Grange in Rectory Lane, not just the Walled Garden which has opened in the past for Bookham Open Gardens. Go in the visitors entrance at the southern end and meet in the Walled Garden. The gardens are ready and so are the talented people they support and their fantastic 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 teams, who can't wait to share their hard work with you. 27th and 28th August 10am - 12 and 1:30pm - 3:30pm The Grange, Rectory Lane, Bookham, KT23 4DZ

Do go along next Thursday or Friday to look at all the garden areas within The Grange in Rectory Lane, not just the Walled Garden which has opened in the past for Bookham Open Gardens. Go in the vi…

22/08/2026

EFFRA SUMMER 2026 NEWSLETTER & HERITAGE OPEN DAY LEAFLET PUBLISHED

EFFRA Road Wardens will be delivering the Summer edition of the EFFRA Newsletter Summer 26 Issue 21 together with the Heritage Open Day 2026 leaflet in the next few days. You can also read the Newsletter here.https://effinghamresidents.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Newsletter-Issue-21-Summer-26.pdf

The Newsletter gives details of the recent planning application 26/P/01014 submitted to Guildford Borough Council by Aspire LPP for a 72 room care home for high dependency elderly adults on Lyons Field in Effingham Common Road at the entrance to the village and adjacent to St Lawrence Primary School’s Playing Field. You can read more about the application and how to comment in the Newsletter or in yesterday's post https://effinghamresidents.org.uk/new-care-home-application-comments-due-by-5-september and you can see the details on Guildford Borough Council's website here. Comments need to be submitted by 5 September.

The Newsletter also covers the latest news on Berkeley Homes proposals and emerging masterplan for 600 homes on Effingham Lodge Farm to the north of Lower Road. A planning application is expected in the autumn of 2026.

News on the next village litter pick on Saturday 14th November and progress on the agreed Barnes Wallis Memorial Garden are also included.
The Heritage Open Day leaflethttps://effinghamresidents.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Heritage-Open-Day-Leaflet-2026.pdf provides information on the six historic buildings in Effingham and Little Bookham that will be open on Saturday 12 September as part of the national Heritage Open Days event. The future of local heritage open day events is unclear due to the new unitary councils replacing the current borough and district councils in 2027. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of the properties opening this year.

The local history exhibition being held this year in the impressive 15th century Manor Farm Tithe Barn in Little Bookham is called: “100 Years of the Bookhams’ History” celebrating the establishment of the Bookham Residents’ Association in 1926. There will also be displays on Little Bookham’s history and the Tithe Barn. The other properties will also have illustrated displays about their history. Refreshments will be available in the Tithe Barn and Methodist Chapel.

Please note that opening times for the properties vary. For more information see information on the heritage open days website or the Heritage Open Day leaflet.

21/08/2026

New Care Home application – comments due by 5 September

A planning application has been submitted by Aspire LPP, a private company that sources, designs, and develops bespoke care and residential properties nationwide, to build a 72 room care home for high dependency elderly adults at the entrance to the village. (Previous posts of 26 June and 8 July reported the presentation by the company at the parish council meeting on 30 June and the concerns of residents).

The application is to build a 7.8 metres high, 92.5 metres long care home on the Green Belt field (known as Lyons Field) adjacent to St Lawrence Primary School’s Playing Field on Effingham Common Road. EFFRA has major concerns about this proposal due to the harm it would cause to the village and the effect it would have on St Lawrence Primary School.

We believe it would:
- Cause harm to the character of the village and Conservation Area by its mass, height and size.
- Increase traffic congestion both before and after construction on what is already a very busy road with previous documented safety issues related to the school and adding a new access close to three existing access points and the crossing point to the school at the roundabout.
- Have a harmful effect on St Lawrence Primary School and the pupils attending it both during construction and once completed due to noise and traffic, with safeguarding issues for the children as the care home will directly overlook the school playing field.

The application 26/P/01014 is open for consultation with comments due by 5 September and can be accessed here https://publicaccess.guildford.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=_GUILD_DCAPR_214534 . EFFRA will be submitting an objection. There will be further information about the application in the EFFRA Summer Newsletter which will be delivered to residents in the next few days.

EFFRA Road Wardens will be delivering the Summer edition of the EFFRA Newsletter Summer 26 Issue 21 together with the Heritage Open Day 2026 leaflet in the next few days. You can also read the Newsletter herehttps://effinghamresidents.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Newsletter-Issue-21-Summer-26.pdf .

17/08/2026

Meeting of EFFRA and Parish Council Representatives with Berkeley Homes

At the invitation of Berkeley Homes, representatives of Effingham Parish Council and EFFRA met with representatives of Berkeley Homes on 27th July regarding Berkeley Homes' emerging proposals for development on Effingham Lodge Farm or land north of Lower Road in Effingham. The meeting was also attended by the Director Planning Development Guildford Borough Council.

Summary Notes of the meeting prepared by EFFRA and the Parish Council were sent to Berkeley Homes. Berkeley Homes has agreed the responses attributed to them as accurate. The Summary Notes can be read herehttps://effinghamresidents.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Meeting-27-July-26-EPC-EFFRA-BH-GBC-Agreed-Summary.pdf

EFFRA's previous post on the Parish Council's and EFFRA's objections to Berkeley Homes' scoping proposals on the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Environmental Statement it has to submit can be read here https://effinghamresidents.org.uk/effra-and-parish-council-object-to-berkeley-homes-eia-scoping-request

Berkeley Homes is required to submit an Environmental Statement for its proposed application to build up to 600 dwellings on Effingham Lodge Farm, north of Lower Road. Berkeley Homes has put forwar…

05/08/2026

The Grange are showcasing their beautiful gardens at this two day event later this month. Not just the Walled Garden but also the Sensory Garden, assorted water features, Wildlife Garden, Rose Garden, wooden sculpture carvings, orchard etc. There's also an opportunity to have refreshments and and maybe buy some of their fresh produce, plants and Grange Made chutney's, jams and fudge. Hope to see you there! Trail for the children too!

04/08/2026

EFFRA and Parish Council object to Berkeley Homes EIA scoping request.

Berkeley Homes is required to submit an Environmental Statement for its proposed application to build up to 600 dwellings on Effingham Lodge Farm, north of Lower Road. Berkeley Homes has put forward its proposal for the scope and level of detail required in this Environmental Statement.

Both EFFRA and Effingham Parish Council believe the proposal will not give GBC sufficient reliable information to fully understand the environmental effects of the proposed scheme. As a result, both organisations have made submissions to GBC objecting to Berkeley Homes’ proposals.

These submissions will be posted by GBC on its website 26/S/00002 https://publicaccess.guildford.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=_GUILD_DCAPR_214367 GBC has posted the Parish Council's submission which can be read there. EFFRA's has not yet been posted by GBC but can be readhttps://effinghamresidents.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/EFFRAObjection26_S_00002-Land-north-of-Lower-Road.pdf

02/08/2026

Overnight roadworks at Effingham Junction Station 3rd – 11th August – road closure

Please see details below

Please see details below

01/08/2026

37 dwellings on Orestan Lane refused by GBC

On 28th July Guildford Borough Council (GBC) refused a planning application by the Aster Group to build around 37 dwellings in a field owned by Orestan Developments Ltd. north of Orestan Lane.

See more about this in our previous website post of 8th July.

01/08/2026

Temporary closure of Public Footpath 118

Contractors for Surrey County Council were due to start work on Tuesday 28th July on improving the surface of Public Footpath 118. The footpath runs from St Lawrence Church towards All Saints across the northern boundary of the KGV behind the Howard of Effingham School and locally is sometimes called The Bishop’s Walk. Public Footpath 73 which runs from the end of Public Footpath 118 at the boundary of the KGV past All Saints Church and joins Public Footpath 75 to Lower Road will not be affected (see notice below).

It's hoped that the work will be completed in about 7 to 10 days.

Please make use of the alternative route shown in the notice whilst these improvements are made. They will improve future use of this well used footpath especially during wet weather when it currently gets very muddy ...should wet weather ever return!