“Cllr Spooner refers to reviewing and updating the Town Centre Regeneration Strategy which was adopted only last year. He also mentions a Strategic Development Framework and ” Heights and Views” strategy, both new but for what real objectives?

“There is no mention of the existing Town Centre Masterplan, the new Corporate Plan, just published, or indeed the draft Local Plan. The planning inspector indicated the importance of new policy S3 for Delivery of development and regeneration within Guildford Town Centre at the Local Plan enquiry. Let’s hope he challenges the council’s proposed “retail led” development and supports the real need for more affordable homes on brownfield sites.

“Will the public be able to make heads or tails of how our town centre might be “transformed “or will they be confused and effectively sidelined by the sheer weight of information anddocumentation?

“Proper consultation with the people is required , starting with what our residents require to become involved in deciding the future of Guildford’s town centre . The council leadership has consultation obligations, not “opportunities ” and should ask the people how they can get involved, not tell them from on high.”

Cllr Caroline Reeves

Lib Dem leader of the opposition at GBC, Caroline Reeves (Friary & St Nicolas) hoped for a more radical approach.

Asked if she had confidence in the council’s handling of town centre planning she said: “There are many aspects of the town centre planning that should have been dealt with much earlier in the Local Plan process but political decisions were made by Conservatives in the past which put the town centre in the difficult folder on the back burner.

“We now need to be radical in order to solve some of the issues currently facing Guildford, and whatever the plans, they must be a workable solution if we are to realistically move forward. As a ward councillor actually living in my town centre ward, I shall be keeping a very close watch on what is planned, and what we can ensure will actually happen as well as engaging with my residents and businesses to find out their views.

“The next stages of planning for our town must be open and transparent – but we have to produce an answer this time and not yet another consultation document to add to the pile.

“The Guildford Heights and Views Study, a rather unwieldy name, is very welcome and long overdue. I hope consultation on this will be across the whole town, residents, businesses and other stakeholders. It’s a document that would have been very valuable during the Solum [railway station planning] application.

“The key for successful consultation for any town centre plan is to engage with residents and businesses who are the ‘ordinary’  people actually living and working in the town centre, who will live and breath whatever the final plan is.

“We know that interested parties will take part in consultations and not hesitate to give their views, but they are not the only people who should put forward an opinion.”

John Rigg, GVG

GVG chairman, John Rigg said: “GVG welcomes the council’s commitment to further work on the Town Centre Regeneration Strategy.

“If this is in part response to the Local Plan inspector’s call for a new town centre policy following his damning but accurate description of the poor planning and environment in Guildford town centre then it’s important that people get a chance to comment on the draft policy before too many things get set in stone.

“A town masterplan/ regeneration strategy should already have been a key part of the Guildford Local Plan but most of the difficult issues have been ducked to date.

“Sadly, the description of the work to be done by David Lock Associates suggests the council is still wedded to a site-by-site approach rather than an overarching plan. This risks another two decades of abysmal planning.

“I also hope the Guildford Heights and Views Study will not be a case of shutting the stable door after the ten-storey Solum horse has bolted. Can we still protect what’s left of our views?

“The boundaries proposed by the council for the Town Centre studies again highlights the importance of a having a separate policy for the wider town centre covering areas like Ladymead, Park Barn and the University.

“The council has to rapidly make up for lost time and produce a proper masterplan for the town centre capable of being legally adopted. It has to tackle issues like the redevelopment of North St which has failed to get off the ground for over 20 years.

“We need a comprehensive, widely-consulted masterplan that properly addresses poor infrastructure, pollution and pedestrian safety as a priority; a plan that opens up the riverside and creates new town squares and markets.

“We also need to have a real plan that makes Guildford even more special. It has to be adopted as soon as possible.

“Let’s get on and let’s get it done.”

Brian Creese spokesperson for Guildford Labour said: “Guildford Labour recognises that large retail shops are not coming back to Guildford, and that we need a far more imaginative approach to developing the town centre.

“Labour would like to see more residential use of town centre buildings, more small units and workshops, more markets and outdoor events, more child-friendly spaces and, most crucially, more integrated and affordable bus services. A free minibus going up and down the hill for elderly and disabled shoppers perhaps?

We need to open up the riverside – far too much prime riverside land is currently used by the council for carparking rather than leisure. There are many fine words in the press release, but little substance, and we oppose yet more money being given to external consultants – have they learned nothing from The Village debacle?

Try listening to residents instead. Guildford needs new ideas, new leadership and new approaches. Guildford needs more Labour representation.