Effingham Neighbourhood Plan – Consultation Dates Announced

Published on: 18 Mar, 2017
Updated on: 21 Mar, 2017

A Neighbourhood Plan for Effingham, Guildford Borough’s easternmost village, is to be put out for consultation with residents and stakeholders of the parish. The consultation process will run from 20 March to 30 April 2017.

Effingham was designated a “Neighbourhood Area” in April 2013 by Guildford Borough Council (GBC). The Parish Council has already engaged with the local community to produce the plan.

Arnold Pindar, chairman of Effingham Parish Council, said: 
“It was clear from the results of the survey that residents were in strong agreement with the plan which combines innovative policies to protect and conserve wildlife corridors and the character of the village, with small scale housing developments to deliver the sort of homes that local people want and need.”

Paula Moss, chair of Effingham Neighbourhood Plan Advisory Group, (ENPAG), added: 
“Our policies to protect wildlife habitats, heritage assets and treasured views received almost universal support from residents. Almost 2/3 of residents supported each of the four sites proposed for new homes.

“We are delighted by the level of support the plan has received and grateful to the huge amount of work undertaken by residents, at workshops, public meetings and working groups, to help shape the detailed plan. It has truly been a huge community effort.”

Cllr Liz Hogger

Liz Hogger, Lib Dem borough councillor for Effingham and parish councillor, added:
 “This is a huge step for Effingham and a great example of what a community can achieve by working together, with excellent support and advice from Guildford Borough Council planning officers along the way. The Neighbourhood Plan will give Effingham a stronger voice in planning decisions which affect our village and countryside.”

A spokesperson for GBC said: “If the plan is adopted, it will become part of the Development Plan for the borough and will help decide planning applications within the Effingham Neighbourhood Area (Effingham ward and parish), along with the council’s existing Local Plan and other considerations.

“To see the neighbourhood plan, and to tell us your views on the plan, please visit the consultation website at: ​getinvolved.guildford.gov.uk​​​”.

Paper copies of the plan are also available to view at the main reception of Guildford Borough Council’s offices and at the libraries in both Horsley and Guildford.

So far only one neighbourhood plan has been adopted within the Borough of Guildford, the plan for Burpham, which was adopted in April 2016.

There are currently nine designated neighbourhood areas within the Borough: Albury, Burpham, Effingham, East Horsley, West Horsley, Puttenham, Lovelace, Send, and Seale and Sands.

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