Borough of Woking Warding Proposals 2016

Appendix 3

Borough of Woking

Warding Proposals

2016

Borough Wards

Revised Borough Ward Proposals

The Revised Ward Boundary Proposals contained herein set out the information supporting the consultation draft, a commentary on the consultation and the reasons for and outcome of the revised proposals. The new name of the proposed Ward is included with any linking back to original proposals shown. Where there is complete change, a new Ward is shown and the evidential trail from the deleted Ward is also shown. To meet the Boundary Commission objectives each Ward needs to have a forecast Electorate within 10% of the Commission’s target of 7,802 in 2019 (78,019 Electors across 10 Wards). A small illustrative map is included on the page facing each Ward description. The Map facing this page shows a Borough wide illustration of the new Wards. The table below summarises the proposed new Borough Wards for 2016 and reports on the variance of Electors in each Ward from the average of 7,802 Electors. The 2013 Electorate is taken from the Register of Electors 2013. The Development to 2018 is taken from Planning Applications and/or identified housing development sites incorporated in the Local Plan Strategic Housing Land Assessment (5 year supply). Taken together, these forecast the 2018 Electorate. The ONS Uplift (1.00301196) translates the 2018 forecast of Electors to the ONS Forecast for 2019 which represents the number agreed with the Boundary Commission for Electors in 2019; it is this number that is used for the purpose of proposing warding arrangements. For each Ward there is a comment about future development. This refers to the Local Plan which envisages some 292 dwellings per annum for the period 2012-2027. Of these numbers it is anticipated that 50% will be in the town centre, with the balance spead across the Borough: Average development is consistent with that Borough wide development distribution.

Borough No. of Electorate Development Electorate Electorate Ward Variance Ward Members 2013 to 2018 2018 ONS Uplift 2019 Name to 2019

Byfleets 3 7,752 237 7,989 8,013 +2.7%

Canalside East 3 6,677 671 7,348 7,370 -5.5%

Canalside West 3 7,435 77 7,512 7,535 -3.4%

Goldsworth Park 3 7,770 73 7,843 7,867 +0.8%

Heathlands 3 7,203 74 7,277 7,299 -6.4%

Hoe Valley 3 6,296 1,422 7,718 7,741 -0.8%

Horsell 3 8,120 53 8,173 8,198 +5.1%

Knaphill 3 7,229 705 7,934 7,958 +2.0%

Mount Hermon 3 7,184 566 7,750 7,773 -0.4%

Pyrford 3 8,221 20 8,241 8,266 +5.9%

Total 30 73,887 3,898 77,785 78,018

Byfleets

Consultation Proposal The consultation for this Ward was based on it being known as Byfleet. Byfleet Ward is based on the historic village of Byfleet where there is a strong identified community. In order to ensure that it has an adequate number of electors, a significant proportion of the centre and neighbouring area of West Byfleet has been included in the new Ward. The community and retail cores of the Ward are in the two village centres with good connections to local schools. Even though the areas within the Ward are separated by the M25 they are well connected whether by foot, bicycle, car or public transport. Byfleet Ward is forecast to have 7,906 Electors in 2019 compared to the target of 7,802 required to meet the Boundary Commission guidance. Consultation Response and Revised Proposal In light of the strong representations from Pyrford and West Byfleet, together with representations from Station Road, the revised Byfleets Ward now excludes areas south of West Byfleet along the Pyrford Road and Broadoaks Crescent and includes Station Road and areas that link to West Byfleet centre off Camphill Road. Because of the number of electors it is not possible to maintain the old Wards of Byfleet, West Byfleet and Pyrford, but the revised proposals seek to align areas of West Byfleet as appropriately as possible to either Byfleets or Pyrford. To address the concerns of West Byfleet, the Ward name has been changed to Byfleets. Byfleets Ward is forecast to have 8,013 Electors in 2019 compared to the target of 7,802 required to meet the Boundary Commission guidance: this is some 2.7% above target but reflects the likelihood that Byfleet will attract Below Average development over the Local Plan period to 2027.

Canalside East

Consultation Proposal The consultation for this Ward was based on it being known as Town. Town Ward is based on Woking town centre where there is a strong identified commercial, retail and employment centre. Existing residential areas are on the edge of the commercial core of the Ward but future development will see substantially more residential accommodation integrated with the commercial centre as the town centre is identified in the approved development plan for 50% of the new housing in the Borough to 2027. Town Ward also provides the highest employment area in the Borough and at its heart is the main line railway station which serves some 7m passenger movements per annum. All areas within the Ward are well connected by foot, bicycle, car and public transport. Town Ward is forecast to have 7,318 Electors in 2019 compared to the target of 7,802 required to meet the Boundary Commission guidance. This initial low level of electors reflects the anticipated growth in residential accommodation over the next ten years. Consultation Response and Revised Proposal Representations were received from those currently residing in the existing Borough Wards of Mount Hermon East that the boundary was drawn too far south and did not reflect the nature of the area. Furthermore the consequences of the Pyrford representations meant that some redrawing was necessary. The effect of incorporating representations in respect of other areas is that the original ambition of having a single “Town Centre” Ward was not achievable. Proposals have been revisited, and it is recognised that the core commercial areas of the Borough are concentrated in Woking Town Centre and the Sheerwater Business Parks. Accordingly these key commercial areas have been integrated into the new proposed Ward of Canalside East. The canal and railway boundaries and corridors affect these areas as they do to the west of the town centre area. These areas, together with the boundaries with Canalside West to the west and Mount Hermon to the south, will provide the highest level of development growth in the Local Plan period to 2027: – 50% of the development in the Borough is planned for these areas, the majority of which will be in Canalside East. To assist in balancing numbers elsewhere some additional areas have been added, particularly along Chobham Road just north of Woking town centre where areas currently in Horsell are Woking town centre centric in location and connectivity. Because the name Town ceased to reflect the different areas of the Ward the name Canalside East has been selected, reflecting the connectivity and common features of the area. The Canalside East Ward is forecast to have 7,370 Electors in 2019 compared to the target of 7,802 required to meet the Boundary Commission guidance; this is 5.5% below target but reflects the likelihood that Canalside East will attract Well Above Average development over the Local Plan period to 2027.

Canalside West

Consultation Proposal The consultation for this Ward was based on it being known as Canalside. Canalside Ward incorporates a number of medium sized identifiable communities such as Brookwood, Hermitage, Inkerman, and St Johns. These communities are located along the old A324 corridor, albeit that the through traffic is now diverted from St Johns down Amstel Way, and have a common interest and connectivity along the Basingstoke Canal, hence the proposed name. The community and retail cores of the Ward are in the village centres of Brookwood and St Johns with good connections to local schools. All areas within the Ward are well connected whether by foot, bicycle, car or public transport. Canalside Ward is forecast to have 7,816 Electors in 2019 compared to the target of 7,802 required to meet the Boundary Commission guidance. Consultation Response and Revised Proposal Representations about this Ward raised some comments about the choice of name and the loss of identities of individual places like St John’s. Representations for this Ward and South Woking raised the issue of splitting the existing Borough Wards of Brookwood, St John’s and Hook Heath and the relationship with Goldsworth Park to the north, particularly the areas off Lockfield Drive next to the canal and off Harelands roundabout. The shape and size of the revised proposals reflects keeping the existing Borough Ward of Brookwood intact, except for the Percheron Drive and park land by the canal, now both included in Knaphill, and achieving the requisite number of electors along the corridor between the canal and the railway, both natural boundaries and corridors influencing the shape of the Ward. Effectively the revised proposals include the old Hermitage and Knaphill South, excluding those areas included in Knaphill, St John’s and that part of the existing Borough Ward of Goldsworth East that could not be accommodated in Goldsworth Park up to an identifiable boundary with the Town Ward, now Canalside East. Accordingly the name for this Ward is changed to Canalside West. The Canalside West Ward is forecast to have 7,535 Electors in 2019 compared to the target of 7,455 required to meet the Boundary Commission guidance; this is 3.4% below target and reflects the likelihood that Canalside West will attract Above Average development over the Local Plan period to 2027, particularly at its boundary with Canalside East.

Goldsworth Park

Consultation Proposals Goldsworth Park Ward is a cohesive modern settlement built around a central retail area with medical and community facilities. A recreational area and lake is connected to the central area providing extensive local amenity. The community is readily identifiable and is connected along its southern edge by Lockfield Drive with extensive footway and local roads throughout its area. There are good connections to local schools. All areas within the Ward are well connected whether by foot, bicycle, car or public transport. Goldsworth Park Ward is forecast to have 7,983 Electors in 2019 compared to the target of 7,802 required to meet the Boundary Commission guidance. Consultation Response and Revised Proposal Representations were received that areas such as Claydon Road should be included in the new Ward and that the areas between Lockfield Drive and Robin Hood Road should be included in Knaphill and that certain properties along Littlewick Road should be in Knaphill not in Goldsworth Park. Claydon Road and Littlewick Road have been revised accordingly, but the areas between Lockfield Drive and Robin Hood Road could not be changed as the numbers for Knaphill would not accommodate that significant a change and the character of the properties was consistent with Goldsworth Park. There have also been consequential issues arising from representations in respect of other Wards which necessitated reconsidering the southern boundary with Canalside West. Accordingly areas off Lockfield Drive and Harelands roundabout have been moved into Canalside West. The Goldsworth Park Ward is forecast to have 7,867 Electors in 2019 compared to the target of 7,802 required to meet the Boundary Commission guidance: this in line with target and reflects the likelihood that Goldsworth Park will attract Average development over the Local Plan period to 2027.

Heathlands

Consultation Proposal The consultation for this Ward was based on it being known as South Woking. South Woking Ward incorporates a number of small sized identifiable communities set in a predominantly semi-rural area including larger areas such as Hook Heath and Mayford with smaller areas such as Bridley and Sutton Green. These communities are generally dispersed and are of distinct and different character. They do however have a common interest in that they value their predominantly semi-rural character. There is no community or retail core to the Ward and connections to local schools are more limited necessitating the use of a car. The Ward is not well connected whether by foot, bicycle, car or public transport. South Woking Ward is forecast to have 7,699 Electors in 2019 compared to the target of 7,802 required to meet the Boundary Commission guidance. Consultation Response and Revised Proposal A number of strong representations were received about the name, and about the poor relationship bewteen the semi rural areas and the more dense areas of the existing Borough Ward Mount Hermon West, particularly north of Wych Hill Lane. In addition, due to all the other changes consequential upon addressing other representations, the Ward has been changed to reflect these concerns and to enable other reconfigurations. The changes may be summarised as: - i) the following areas have been included in the Ward: the existing Borough Ward of Brookwood (excluding Percheron Drive and the park area south of Strathcona Gardens to the canal), Barnsbury, Turnoak and part of Wych Hill Lane and Guildford Road; and ii) the following areas have been excluded from the Ward: the remaining part of the existing Borough Ward of Mount Hermon West north of Wych Hill Lane. Suggestions were received in respect of a change of name and one of those has been chosen, refecting that the semi rural parts of the Ward are made up of a number of Heathlands. Accordingly it is called Heathlands. The Heathlands Ward is forecast to have 7,299 Electors in 2019 compared to the target of 7,802 required to meet the Boundary Commission guidance: this is 6.4% below target but reflects the likelihood that Heathlands will attract Well Above Average development over the Local Plan period to 202, particularly after 2022.

Hoe Valley

Consultation Proposals Hoe Valley Ward incorporates a number of medium sized identifiable communities such as Barnsbury, Kingfield, Old Woking and Westfield. These communities are located in the hinterland of the Hoe Stream, hence the proposed name. The communities have a common interest with connectivity along the Hoe Valley. There is no clear community or retail centre in the Ward as facilities are distributed throughout the area, with the majority being located along the main roads running through the Ward. There are good connections to local schools. Most areas within the Ward are well connected whether by foot, bicycle, or car but public transport is more limited and mostly related to connectivity with Woking town centre. The Ward contains two major building sites where over 500 new properties are under construction and will be completed by 2016/17. Hoe Valley Ward is forecast to have 8,021 Electors in 2019 compared to the target of 7,802 required to meet the Boundary Commission guidance. Consultation Response and Revised Proposal Representations were received suggesting that areas such as Barnsbury should be excluded from the Ward and that other areas, particularly those at the edge of the Ward to the south and formerly in the Borough Ward of Mayford and Sutton Green should be included. It was also suggested that the whole of Woking Park should be in Hoe Valley. Other consultation responses, particularly those related to South Woking, also led to the need to revisit the boundaries of Hoe Valley, specifically to the north of the Ward where challenges were received, in the context of South Woking, that many of the parts of the former Borough Ward of Mount Hermon East had been included in the Ward but had no relationship with the Ward. The effect of taking into account all of these representations is that the Barnsbury area has been removed and areas down Claremont Avenue, Constitution Hill and Woking Park have been added. The Hoe Valley Ward is forecast to have 7,741 Electors in 2019 compared to the target of 7,802 required to meet the Boundary Commission guidance: this in line with target and reflects the likelihood that Hoe Valley will attract Average development over the Local Plan period to 2027.

Horsell

Consultation Proposals Horsell Ward is based on the historic village of Horsell where there is a strong identified community. Part of its area is dominated to the north by Horsell Common with low density or no housing and incorporates the majority of the Special Protection Area in the Borough. The Ward contains two large employment areas, McLaren Park and Goldsworth Trading Estate neither of which detract from the residential and common land characteristics of the Ward. The community and retail core of the Ward is in the centre of the village with good connections to local schools. All areas within the Ward are well connected by foot, bicycle and car but public transport is more limited and mostly related to connectivity with Woking town centre. Horsell Ward is forecast to have 7,636 Electors in 2019 compared to the target of 7,802 required to meet the Boundary Commission guidance. Consultation Response and Revised Proposal Representations were received in respect of Claydon Road and Slocock Hill areas being more appropriately in Goldsworth Park. Other comments were generally supportive. Claydon Road and Slocock Hill have been removed, respectively to Goldsworth Park and Canalside West. Representations received in respect of proposals for The Heath and Woodlands have had a significant impact on the original proposals for Horsell. The residents of the The Anthony’s stongly argued they were part of Horsell. In addressing these concerns it has been necessary to substantially integrate the existing Borough Ward of Horsell East and Woodham with the original new Horsell Ward. To balance this, and to ensure numbers in Horsell are not excessive, an area of the former Horsell West and Horsell East and Woodham from Victoria Way to the northern edge of Wheatsheaf Common has been excluded from the new Horsell Ward and included in the new Canalside West Ward (formerly Town Ward). It is considered that the areas so affected are far more related to the town centre than other areas within Horsell. This has served to achieve the necessary balancing of the number of electors within the new Ward. The Horsell Ward is forecast to have 8,198 Electors in 2019 compared to the target of 7,802 required to meet the Boundary Commission guidance: this is 5.1% above target but reflects the likelihood that Horsell will attract Well Below Average development over the Local Plan period to 2027.

Knaphill

Consultation Proposals Knaphill Ward is based on the historic village of Knaphill where there is a strong identified community. The northern part of the Ward is semi rural and creates a linkage with the neighbouring Ward of Horsell and the village of Chobham. The community and retail core of the Ward is in the centre of the village and at the nearby Sainsbury Superstore. There are good connections to local schools. It contains one large employment area, the Lansbury Estate, which does not detract from the residential characteristics of the Ward. The Ward contains one major building site where 300 new properties are under construction to be completed by 2016/17. All areas within the Ward are well connected by foot, bicycle, car and public transport. Knaphill Ward is forecast to have 7,801 Electors in 2019 compared to the target of 7,802 required to meet the Boundary Commission guidance. Consultation Response and Revised Proposal The consultation for response for Knaphill was generally supportive with three specific concerns about where Victoria Road was split, a proposal that the southern boundary of the Ward should extend to the canal, and that certain properties along Littlewick Road should be in Knaphill not in Goldsworth Park: these representations have been included, to the extent numbers will permit, in the revised proposals. Representations in respect of areas formerly in the Borough Ward of Knaphill but now included in Goldsworth Park, the areas between Lockfield Drive and Robin Hood Road, suggesting that they be included in Knaphill could not be accommodated as the numbers would not permit and it was considered that the character of the area was similar to the remainder of Goldsworth Park. The Knaphill Ward is forecast to have 7,958 Electors in 2019 compared to the target of 7,802 required to meet the Boundary Commission guidance; this is 2.0% above target but reflects the likelihood that Knaphill will attract Below Average development over the Local Plan period to 2027.

Mount Hermon

Conusltation Proposals There were no consultation proposals for a Mount Hermon Ward. Consultation Response and Revised Proposal Representations received in respect of Byfleet, Pyrford, West Byfleet, Woodlands, and South Woking and indirectly Town, explained elsewhere in this analysis, have necessitated revisiting the area of the two existing Borough Wards of Mount Hermon East and West. In order to rebalance the electoral numbers and to reflect the character of Mount Hermon it is now proposed to create a Mount Hermon Ward. This new Ward incorporates substantially the existing Borough Wards of Mount Hermon East and West with minor changes at the boundaries to reflect and respect adjoining areas. The Mount Hermon Ward is forecast to have 7,773 Electors in 2019 compared to the target of 7,802 required to meet the Boundary Commission guidance: this is in line with target and reflects the likelihood that Mount Hermon will attract Average development over the Local Plan period to 2027.

Pyrford

Pyrford Consultation Proposal The consultation for this Ward was based on it being known as The Heath.

The Heath Ward incorporates a number of medium sized identifiable communities such as The Hockering, Maybury Estate and Pyrford. It is based on the historic heaths of Pyrford and Maybury, hence its proposed name. The west of the ward does not have a community or retail core and relates to the neighbouring Town ward for its retail and community facilities. The East of the Ward relates well to the village centre of Pyrford for community and retail activity. There are good connections to local schools. The Ward is not well connected whether by foot, bicycle, car or public transport. The Heath Ward is forecast to have 8,103 Electors in 2019 compared to the target of 7,802 required to meet the Boundary Commission guidance. Consultation Response and Revised Proposal In light of the strong representations from Pyrford and West Byfleet together with representations from Old Avenue the revised Pyrford Ward now includes all the areas that were in the existing Borough Ward of Pyrford and the balance of West Byfleet not included in Byfleets. Because of the number of electors it is not possible to maintain the old Wards of Byfleet, West Byfleet and Pyrford but the revised proposals seek to align areas of West Byfleet as appropriately as possible to either Byfleets or Pyrford. The revised Pyrford Ward retains the Maybury Estate, formerly part of Sheerwater and Maybury, but now excludes any areas that were formerly part of Mount Hermon East. The representations sought the retention of the historic name of Pyford and that has been taken into account in the renaming of the Ward to Pyrford. The effect of addressing the consultation responses in respect of Pyrford and related areas it will result in neither the Woodlands Ward nor the Town Ward being created as envisaged. The Pyrford Ward is forecast to have 8,266 Electors in 2019 compared to the target of 7,802 required to meet the Boundary Commission guidance; this is 5.9% above target but reflects the likelihood that Pyrford will attract Well Below Average development over the Local Plan period to 2027.

Woodlands - Deleted

Consultation Proposals The consultation for this Ward was based on it being known as Woodlands. Woodlands Ward is located between the distinct Wards of Horsell and Town to the West, Byfleet to the east and The Heath to the south. The Ward straddles the railway line and incorporates two distinct but connected residential areas, Woodham Lane Old Woking Road to the north and south respectively and Sheerwater and Woodlands Avenue/Station Road in the centre along side the Basingstoke Canal. The Ward contains one large employment area, the Sheerwater Business and Industrial Parks but does not have a strong local retail centre. All areas within the Ward are well connected by foot, bicycle and car but public transport is more limited and mostly related to connectivity with Woking town centre or West Byfleet. Woodlands Ward is forecast to have 7,736 Electors in 2019 compared to the target of 7,802 required to meet the Boundary Commission guidance. Consultation Response and Revised Proposal In light of the range of significant representations about other areas and concerns that it was difficult for residents to relate to the proposed new Ward of Woodlands, the proposal for Woodlands ceased to be sustainable. Accordingly the Woodlands proposal has been deleted.