Yesterday, the Secretary of State and Planning Inspector announced that they had rejected Goldev’s appeal against Woking Borough Council’s decision not to allow planning permission to redevelop Woking Football Club.

Back in 2020, the Council’s Planning Committee rejected plans to build a 10,000 seater stadium and over 1,000 flats around Woking’s football ground, as well as to relocate David Lloyd to Egley Road in Mayford. However, the developer sought to get this decision overturned on appeal – that appeal has now been lost.

I am delighted by this news – these plans were widely seen as completely inappropriate for the Kingfield and Westfield area. The development would have resulted in 5 blocks of flats, up to 11 storeys high, being built around the football ground, and Mayford’s Green Belt would also have been developed.

A significant number of people have worked hard to defeat these plans, and in particular local residents should thank the South Woking Action Group and its chairman, Andy Caulfield. Thank you and well done team!

Without planning permission, it means that all the controversial financial and development agreements entered into between GolDev and the Borough Council will be brought to an end.