Council Wants Your Comments on Policies that Will Form Part 2 of Local Plan

Published on: 9 Jan, 2022
Updated on: 10 Jan, 2022

Local Plan Part 2

Residents of Guildford Borough are being asked by the council to help shape the borough’s future by commenting on its proposed Local Plan Part 2: Development Management Policies.

The second part of the public consultation commenced on Friday, January 7 and will run until February 18.

Part 2 of the plan follows the controversial Part 1: Strategy and Sites 2015-2034 that was adopted in April 2019 and sets out the detailed development management policies for the whole borough.

The policies are a series of documents which will give guidance to developers so that they will build in a way the council wishes but they  do not replace Part 1 or include areas that are already covered by national policies.

The council says in a statement: “When adopted, the new plan policies will play an important role in protecting and enhancing our natural and built environments, developing our local economy, improving leisure and visitor facilities, and supporting more sustainable forms of travel.”

Cllr Joss Bigmore

GBC Leader Joss Bigmore (R4GV, Christchurch) said: “While the policies have been created with the comments from last year’s consultation, this is another chance for everyone to have their say on how we manage development across our borough.

“The draft Local Plan, and all the policies that it contains is so important. Our proposed policies cover topics such as heritage, biodiversity, design, infrastructure and transport.

They include strong requirements for carbon emissions for new builds and they follow sustainable practice by prioritising total energy efficiency. They also require improved design and construction, better insulation, and efficient heating and lighting.

“There are lots of ways to view the documents and submit your comments. We look forward to hearing from you.”

Cllr Ramsey Nagaty

Cllr Ramsey Nagaty leader of the Guildford Greenbelt Group (GGG) said: “We opposed the way the Local Plan: Strategy and Sites was prepared and then adopted in the purdah period prior to the last election in 2019 by the, then, Conservative administration at GBC.

“Our party worked extensively in addressing improvements to the proposed Part 2 Development Management Policies (DMP) line by line, word by word. Cllr Catherine Young was able to obtain many amendments during the process but key issues remain including the need for: stronger protection of irreplaceable habitats; stronger definition of limited infilling in villages; and infrastructure to be provided before/with developments.

“Although there is much in the document that is good, because of its shortcomings we did not support Part Two of the Local Plan. As for public consultation we do recommend residents participate and voice their views on this important document and hope they are taken on board. Once DMP policies are adopted within the Local Plan, they will help influence developments”

Howard Smith

Howard Smith, vice-chair of Guildford Labour party commented:“There is a great deal of reading here, and much detail to wade through.

“I don’t think the consultation document is written in a way which most members of the public will find easy to understand or comment on, being full of references to policies and other, unseen documents.

“However, what most concerns the Labour Party is the apparent watering down of the commitment to 40% affordable housing in all developments. We will not solve our chronic local housing problem by building more large penthouse apartments.

“There is little mention of social housing targets – I am sure we all remember that the Liberal Democrats have pledged to build 3,000 council houses in the period up to the next elections in 2023. Where are they going to build them and how soon?”

Local Conservatives and the Green Party were also invited to comment.

Ways to view the documents

The Proposed Submission Local Plan: Development Management Policies, supporting documents and key evidence will be available to view:

• on the GBC website
• at Guildford Borough Council offices, Millmead House, Millmead, Guildford, Surrey GU2 4BB during office hours (excluding Bank Holidays).
• during normal opening hours (excluding Bank Holidays) at Guildford Library, Ash Library, Horsley Library and Shere Diamond Jubilee Library.

Ways to submit written comments

Consultation feedback must be provided in writing. Those commenting must ensure all comments clearly state and identify which paragraph number or policy they relate to in the Local Plan document.

This can be done in a number of ways:

• complete the online questionnaire.
• email to localplan@guildford.gov.uk
• post to: Planning Policy Team, Guildford Borough Council, Millmead House, Millmead, Guildford, GU2 4BB
• completing a paper questionnaire or writing to: Planning Policy, Guildford Borough Council, Millmead House, Millmead, Guildford, Surrey GU2 4BB.
• Paper copies of the questionnaire are available from the council’s Millmead office reception and local libraries. Please note that verbal or anonymous comments cannot be taken into consideration.

Once adopted, the draft Local Plan part 2 will, together with the adopted Local Plan: Strategy and Sites (LPSS), fully replace the policies that still remain from the existing Local Plan 2003.

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