Council Leader Says Questions from Planning Inspector are ‘Another Step Forward’

Published on: 27 Mar, 2018
Updated on: 28 Mar, 2018

In a press release from Guildford Borough Council (GBC) Paul Spooner, the council leader has described the nine pages of questions sent by the examining planning inspector as “another step forward”.

But the leader of the Guildford Greenbelt Group dismissed the idea that more houses will solve the affordability issue although welcomed the inspector’s questioning of the planned development of rural land. Guildford Labour accused the Conservatives of lacking: “… the competence to deliver a legal and viable Local Plan”.

Cllr Spooner (Con, South Ash & Tongham) said: “Receiving the set of initial questions from the Planning Inspector is another step forward and part of the usual process when developing a new plan.”

The questions document is divided into two parts. The first section deals with key questions and the second is a set of questions and comments that will help the Inspector to clarify the reasoning behind aspects of the plan. These questions do not deal with the detail of the allocated sites, which may be the subject of further questions.

Council Leader Paul Spooner

Cllr Spooner continued: “The independent inspection of our submitted plan is in the hands of the government appointed planning inspector, who controls and manages the examination, including the set of public hearings due to start on 5 June.

“Local people need a range of homes, especially affordable [homes], a successful economy with great work prospects, good education choices and protected heritage and countryside. Our new Local Plan is the best way to provide these, alongside better transport and travel options to support them. The council will now review and respond to the initial key questions as required by 10 April 2018.”

The Local Plan was submitted to the Secretary of State in December 2017. Alongside the plan were also submitted all of the public consultation comments made in 2016 and the responses about the changes from last summer’s consultation.

After a draft Local Plan is submitted, the appointed inspector, Jonathan Bore who also examined the Waverley Local Plan, then controls and manages the independent examination, which includes a set of public hearings. The inspector also contacts everyone who commented on the draft Local Plan at regulation 19 stage in 2016 and 2017 to see if they wish to participate.

When the inspector has completed the examination, a report and recommendations will be produced.

A council spokesperson said: “We will then consider any changes that have been recommended and the full council will be asked to decide whether to adopt the new Local Plan. We hope this final stage for the plan will be achieved by the end of 2018.”

Cllr Susan Parker.

Cllr Susan Parker, who leads the three member Guildford Greenbelt Group which is against green belt development, said: “The suggestion that the housing number should be increased to promote affordability is unrealistic for any green belt area so close to London.

“The housing target is overstated, not too low. Actual local need is for social housing.  We’re wary of GBC’s lagged housing profile and proposed a (better argued) realistic housing target instead, achievable within geographical constraints.  If the target now rises, it may damage more countryside.

“We welcome the Inspector questioning whether so much rural land should be developed, when substantial urban brownfield areas are earmarked for extensive retail/ commercial development which could be considered for housing.

“The Secretary of State referred to 1500 houses for Slyfield, re infrastructure funding, not 1000 (within the plan). Also the Howard of Effingham proposals – unfortunately and controversially approved – are not within the plan. These uplifts should mean other sites could be excluded from the plan; this should be flagged to the inspector.”

Brain Creese, a local Labour party spokesperson, said: “Guildford Labour Party certainly agrees with some of Jonathan Bore’s comments and notes that the inspector is demanding to see action rather than simply fine words. We note in particular his comments about when housing is likely to be delivered and the levels of affordability; Guildford Labour agrees that increased numbers of affordable housing has to be beneficial to the majority living in the
borough.

“We have argued in the past for more imagination regarding provision of retail space in the town, and North Street should be a mixed area of housing, leisure and retail. The opening of Tunsgate has simply seen shops relocating from elsewhere in Guildford where there are already too many vacant shops.

“Rather than trying to entice more luxury brands Guildford Labour would like to see much more support given to smaller independent retailers.

“Overall it is clear that this Tory leadership team lacks the competence to deliver a legal and viable Local Plan.”

See also: Local Plan Inspector ‘Very Concerned’ with ‘Unacceptable’ Speed of Housing Development

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