Leading Councillors and Local MPs Meet Planning Minister

Published on: 15 Jan, 2014
Updated on: 15 Jan, 2014

Nick Boles MP ,Planning Minister, Anne Milton MP for Guildford, Stephen Mansbridge, GBC council leader and Monika Juneja GBC’s lead councillor for planning

Leading Guildford borough councillors, Stephen Mansbridge and Monika Juneja, and Guildford’s MP, Anne Milton, met the planning minister, Nick Boles in Westminster today (January 15) regarding concerns over the preservation of the green belt in the Borough of Guildford.

The MP for Mole Valley was also present and they were later joined by Woking MP, Jonathan Lord.

The leader of Guildford Borough Council, Stephen Mansbridge (Con, Ash South & Tongham) said after the meeting: “The Minister was very clear that Guildford Borough Council was undertaking the right process to deliver the Local Plan and that this was entirely in line with government direction.

“He stressed that the key was to move the process on at best speed in order to avoid vulnerability by not having a plan in process. Whilst he was hopeful that the line could be held to prevent inappropriate development on the green belt, he could not guarantee this.

“At this point we know that we have developers at the pre-application stage for sites in the green belt and any delay in the formulation in the draft Local Plan could allow unwanted development.”

Cllr Mansbridge has said that he is concerned that the effect of two amendments passed at the extraordinary full council meeting on Monday (January 13) will be to delay the Local Plan process.