Can you believe that it’s February already? While it’s still a bit grey and cold, the sun has been seen recently and – dare I say it – there was even a bit of warmth on one or two days.

I’ve also seen a few buds begin to open in gardens while walking around Bellfields, so it seems that Spring is finally almost here!

Spring signals a change in season and we’ve also seen more changes in Bellfields and Slyfield. The biggest, of course, is the ongoing work to move the Thames Water plant from its current site and build a new, cleaner and more efficient site. Amanda and I have received several complaints about odours, especially during the Summer, and we believe that new technology and filters will reduce these to almost zero once in place.

Of course, the new sewage works is only part of a bigger picture; during the next few years we will see 1,500 new homes built on the land between the Wey and Waterside Road, and changes to the Woking Road to accommodate additional traffic. Environmental considerations will be at the forefront of the development, with improved cycle routes and easier access for buses, as well as the latest environmentally-friendly construction methods and materials used for the homes.

Environmental considerations will be at the forefront of the development, with improved cycle routes and easier access for buses…

Amanda and I have three priorities when representing you in discussions about these works: firstly, that the council sticks to its commitment to provide 40% affordable homes – and this means homes for council tenants that are truly affordable; secondly, that the new development is well-integrated with the existing communities in Bellfields and Slyfield – and not something that stands alone as was my experience growing up in a similar estate near Egham; and thirdly, we are working hard to secure facilities for the whole community – this means community centres that provide a variety of service, available to all, and, though at a very early stage, a new health centre in the heart of the community.

You can read more about the development in the ‘Weyside Urban Village’ section of this magazine, which we have arranged for the officers in charge of overseeing the works to use to communicate with you. If you have any comments or concerns about the development, please do use the contact details within to let them (and us) know what you think.

Finally, the eagle-eyed will have noticed the huge mess around the Moggy Pond. This is culmination of Amanda and I spending the last 18 months working to get a proper clean-up scheduled and funded. We found unspent money allocated to Bellfields and Slyfield by developers under the Section 106 rule and pounced! Come Spring proper, the Moggy should be back to its glorious best. You will also have noticed the new bench in the Hazel Avenue playground – we had that installed after a request from mums for somewhere to sit while their children played. If you have any questions or suggestions, please let Amanda and I know at james.walsh@guildford.gov.uk and amanda.creese@guildford.gov.uk.

James