Stop McDonald's at Tice's Meadow

22/05/2026

The three-year planning saga has come to an end 🍔

22/05/2026

McDonald’s are “disappointed” - such a shame. 😇

And they are also going to “explore opportunities for a suitable site”. Good, because our community’s green space is not a suitable site.

McDonald's appeal for outlet near reserve rejected

Planning inspectors say the restaurant plans could "result in the erosion of the countryside".

20/05/2026

A campaign group has won a landmark victory after planning inspectors dismissed McDonald's appeal to build a 24-hour drive-thru restaurant near Farnham.

20/05/2026

We were extremely grateful to have the strong support of our three neighbouring MPs during the fight to stop McDonald's.

We hope that they will continue to work together to fight to protect the important River Blackwater green corridor that runs through all of their constituencies.

Thank you Gregory Stafford MP, Jeremy Hunt and Alex Baker MP.

Victory for local campaigners on Tice’s Meadow!

McDonald’s plans have been firmly rejected after concerns about the inappropriate "location within the countryside as it would unacceptably harm the character and appearance of the area".

I was proud to support residents and campaigners, alongside neighbouring MPs, in opposing this proposal, including writing again to the Planning Inspectorate earlier this year.

Without that effort, this development could have been built next to a local nature reserve. Instead, an important green space has been protected.

Thank you to everyone who spoke up, campaigned and stood together. A brilliant result for local people and our environment!

19/05/2026

The Meadow's Promise Kept

By The Autistic Poet

The neon did not conquer, and the arches did not rise,
The skylark still owns freedom in the local Surrey skies.
The twelve-metre-high beacon is a ghost that’s chased away,
And the green remains a sanctuary, unturned by tarmac grey.

The community of warriors stood firmly side by side,
Defending Tices Meadows with a fierce and local pride.
They brought their heavy papers, but they couldn't break the line,
For the spirit of the wetland is a power more divine.

The heron stands in silence where the quiet waters gleam,
No idling cars or litter trucks will interrupt its dream.
The water voles are playing, and the shores are safe and clear,
A victory for the wildlife and the people holding dear.

You could not build a restaurant where the roots of nature run,
The machine has packed its papers, and the meadow’s day is won.

19/05/2026

WE WON! WE STOPPED MCDONALD'S!

Guildford Borough Council have updated their planning page to show that McDonald's appeal has been dismissed!

https://publicaccess.guildford.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=_GUILD_DCAPR_204964

A huge thank you to everyone who supported our campaign.

Note - HMPI website still not updated.

18/05/2026

I’ve heard back from the Case Officer at Guildford Borough Council planning department and she has not been informed of the appeal decision either, contrary to what the email from HMPI says.

She says to check back tomorrow morning as the HMPI may have jumped the gun in issuing the email.

Keep your fingers crossed everyone! 🤞🤞

18/05/2026

We are aware that HM Planning Inspectorate have sent out an email saying that they have made a decision, but that they haven't updated their website to say what the decision is, and no decision letter is visible.

Fingers crossed they sort their terrible website soon!

15/05/2026

We note that Leda Properties (the developers who own the land McDonald’s want to build a drive-thru on) have moved the boundary fence between their land and Tice’s Meadow Nature Reserve, around one metre into the nature reserve.

Concerns about the exact boundary between the two sites have been raised in the past. Leda also claimed ownership of the fence, but in the past Hanson claimed it was theirs and conducted regular repairs - something SCC have failed to do.

We assume that they have informed Surrey County Council (the owners of Tice’s Meadow Nature Reserve) and that the fence is now in the correct position.

We also note the amount of rubbish that has been dumped by Leda’s contractors on site, on the exact spot orchids were found growing last year.