THE owner of a large green-belt site has told the Advertiser he wants to give more than half of his land away for the community to enjoy.
Graham White and developers Thakeham Homes are currently inviting public opinion on plans to build up to 315 homes on Preston Farm, in Lower Road, Bookham.
The site is made up of several ponds and green spaces, which are not currently open to the public, something Mr White said would change if the land was developed.
Speaking exclusively to the Advertiser during a tour of the site, Mr White said: "It is an absolutely beautiful place and I just find it sad that it is not being enjoyed by the residents of Bookham.
"As part of these plans we would be opening all this space up for public use and areas of parkland, woods and ponds, amounting to 63 per cent of the site, would be given away to the local community. I would literally be handing it over to local people, or possibly wildlife trusts, for public use and this would protect it from development in perpetuity."
The remaining 37 per cent of the site would be used to construct 200 houses, 35 bungalows and an 80-bedroom care home, as well as a doctor's surgery, a pharmacy and commercial space.
The land is one of several green belt sites currently under review by the Bookham Vanguard, which has been tasked by the district council with finding space so it can meet Government housing targets.
Rob Boughton, managing director of Thakeham Homes, added: "We are working together with Bookham Vanguard and other groups to find out what local people want.
"That is why we haven't put a planning application in yet and why we won't be selling any commercial space as retail, as we do not want a negative impact on the High Street.
"We are working towards a development that would become a part of the village of Bookham and not rival it as a separate entity."
Mr Boughton confirmed that Thakeham Homes does not expect to apply for planning permission before 2016. If successful, the homes would be built by 2020.
Mr White, a butcher who has owned the land since 1958, added: "I am not looking to sell the land and run away; I want to stay in Bookham, where a lot of my family live.
"The land is a huge responsibility and my wife and I are in our sixties now, so the time is right. Like any other Bookham resident, I want the best to be made of our green belt spaces."
For more information about the plans, visit www.preston farm.org
