Broadwater Park Golf Club: details of capping plan revealed

Capping off the land at the former Broadwater Park Golf Course will involve the importation of 342,578 tonnes of builders rubble and will take two years, according to documents drawn up by the Environment Agency.

Knowl Hill Limited has submitted an application to the agency for a permit to carry out the work.

The agency is now set to consult Waverley Borough Council as the local planning authority. Documents show that Knowl Hill plans to deposit the rubble from construction and demolition sites, along with 200,000 tonnes of soil, as part of the capping process. A soil processing plant on a hardstanding in the centre of the site will crush any large pieces of rubble and filter out any unsuitable materials, such as wood and pipework. Operating hours for the site are given as 7.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday, with no working at weekends. The application addresses issues such as air quality, noise and surface water management. The document adds that: "At all times there will be sufficient staff to manage and operate activities on the site without causing a risk to the environment. It is anticipated that noise levels at the site will be low, and there is no threat to air quality, the document says. Any litter that arises will be controlled with a litter pick regime. Waverley decided the land needed to be capped after reports that it was sinking in parts, and rubbish from the former landfill use was starting to move to the top. At the time, it was in use as part of the Broadwater Park Golf Club. Waverley subsequently decided not to renew the club's lease, provoking anger among golfers and from the club's owner. "The site is on a historic landfill which has experienced collapses in various areas and is therefore not safe enough to open to the public," the document explains, although the site is easily accessible and was being used by dog walkers when Nub News visited. In relation to potential noise pollution, the document says: "The nearest sensitive receptor susceptible to noise emissions will be the residential properties immediately to the west, the north east and south of the site of the site boundary. As well as the visitors to Godalming Town Football Club stadium which is adjacent to the south western boundary of the site." A noise management plan has been drawn up, and the agency adds: "With the correct implementation of working controls, the risk of significant noise emissions causing a deterioration in local amenity or nuisance is considered to be low." The agency adds in its documentation: "We will only issue a permit if we believe that harm to the environment, people and wildlife will be minimised and that the operator has the ability to meet the conditions of the permit." Waverley said in a statement:" Waverley Borough Council is in contact with Broadwater Golf Club Limited and is following due legal process in relation to the council's decision to not renew the lease. "Since the company closed the course, in December 2018, and submitted an initial request to extend the lease, the council's new administration has prioritised the retention of the council's assets. This forms part of the council's Property Investment Strategy, which sets out how the council will take control of development opportunities in order to provide value for money for residents and meet the most pressing community needs. "The council intends to take control of the land and carry out a detailed analysis of its options for the site, before any future changes or construction work commences. "We recognise that the company has spent a lot of time in putting together its plans and it is unfortunate that we could not reach an agreement on the future of the site. However, it is the council's priority to ensure we provide value for money for the community and that we retain the site as a council asset."