A Surrey park described as “beautiful” and once eyed for housing development is celebrating its 100th anniversary, underlining the long-term value of safeguarding green space from construction pressure.
The park, which had previously been considered as a potential site for new homes, has instead become a well-used public amenity over the past century, illustrating the tension between housing demand and the protection of established community assets.
Its centenary comes at a time when local authorities and developers across the South East continue to weigh the benefits of residential schemes against the loss of mature open space, biodiversity and recreational land.
For the construction and planning sector, the park’s survival and current status as a cherished local landmark highlight how early land-use decisions can shape both development patterns and public sentiment for generations.
