The former High Land Nursery site, located on Portsmouth Road, Ripley, may be known to some as Highland Nurseries or Highlands Nurseries, but according to the Land Registry (Title No. SY560955), it is formally registered as High Land Nursery.
Planning permission (Ref: 22/P/01306) has been granted for the redevelopment of the site into a residential scheme of twenty-five affordable homes.
Whether welcomed or not, housing is coming, and Ripley Parish Council is working to make sure the development benefits the local community, especially those struggling to afford a home in the village.
🏷 What is “Affordable Housing” in this context?
Under the terms of the Section 106 Agreement (a legal contract between the developer and Guildford Borough Council):
- The affordable homes must be Affordable Rent, with rents set below market levels
- These homes must remain affordable in perpetuity, they cannot later be sold off or converted into market housing
- They must be offered first to people with a local connection to Ripley (e.g. those living, working or with family here).
- Guildford Borough Council can nominate
- 100% of initial tenants
- 75% of future tenants
🏘️ What kind of homes are being built?
The homes will include:
- 7 one-bedroom properties
- 8 two-bedroom properties
- 10 three-bedroom properties
This mix has been designed to:
- Reflect local housing need, as identified in both the Lovelace Neighbourhood Plan and the Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA).
- Align with Guildford Local Plan Policy H3, which supports developments that meet the greatest need, in this case, affordable rented housing for local families and individuals
🌳 Public Open Space and Children’s Play Area
As part of the S106 agreement, the site will include on-site green space and a dedicated children’s play area.
✅ The developer must:
- Submit detailed plans and a timetable for the open space and play area before any building work starts (Clause 7.1)
- Not occupy more than 8 homes until the open space and play area have been fully built and completed (Clause 7.2)
🚸 The open space and play area must:
- Be freely accessible to the public at all times (Clause 7.3)
- Be used only for public open space, informal recreation, and children’s play — no buildings can be erected on it
🛠 Ongoing maintenance:
- The developer (or their nominated party) must maintain the play area and green space in perpetuity, meaning forever (Clause 7.4)
- They must keep all trees, shrubs, and play equipment in good, safe condition, replacing or repairing anything damaged without delay and to the satisfaction of Guildford Borough Council.