Letter: Don’t Bother Objecting – Cathedral Development is a Done Deal

Published on: 12 Jan, 2022
Updated on: 12 Jan, 2022

Harry Elson

In response to: Cathedral Plans Published – Objectors Say It’s ‘All About Money and Greed’

Do not let fancy words or detailed drawings seduce anyone to think that we are all involved in this process. Give up now, it’s already a done deal.

Why is it not all affordable housing? Surely the church must think of its poor local flock rather than 30 pieces of silver.

The Earl of Onslow gave the land for the cathedral, and Viscount Richard Bennett gave the land surrounding Stag Hill to commemorate war ties between the UK and Canada in 1947. What right has the church to destroy a noble action in memory of our glorious dead?

See: Parke’s People: Viscount Bennett of Calgary And His Gift To Guildford Cathedral

I have been watching with interest the development in Keens Lane (on designated green belt land) in Worplesdon, on the outskirts of Guildford.

We went through all of the community meetings before planning was agreed. Of course, it went through. We were worried about the increase in traffic, and insufficient infrastructure: doctors, schools, refuse collection. “No problem” we were assured. But guess what, there is already a big increase in traffic and the rest is to follow.

There are too many cars for a small lane and already we are seeing cars parked on the main road. What next double yellow lines? And then where will the cars go?

Responses to Letter: Don’t Bother Objecting – Cathedral Development is a Done Deal

Jim Allen Reply

January 12, 2022 at 12:00 pm

I say to all involved – don’t give up, ask the right questions.

For example, as Guildford’s sewage treatment works has discharged 346 hours worth of raw sewage in the past two years, does capacity exist to take this development? If not then a “Grampian clause” must be added to the consent, ie if Thames Water plc fails to provide sewage capacity, while permission may be granted they could never be built because the options open to the developer to provide sufficient capacity would exceed potential profit.
Robert Burch Reply

January 12, 2022 at 10:34 pm

Out of curiosity, does anyone know if the land that the University of Surrey occupies on the other side of Guildford Cathedral was part of the same gift from Viscount Bennett.
H Trevor Jones Reply

January 13, 2022 at 9:58 am

I don’t see a problem in principle with building on the lower slopes of Stag Hill below the cathedral.

It won’t spoil the views (as far as I can tell from the designs). It’s within walking distance of the town centre and railway station as well as the cathedral and uni, so if the houses are sold to the right sort of people there shouldn’t be need for much extra road transport.

The cathedral needs the money to help it keep going for the good of the town, more than just for churchgoers (eg concerts). The houses should provide extra on-foot customers for the Madrid Road shops and cafés to help keep them going. People need houses in towns and not in the countryside.

So it seems to me to be a win-win, all round.