Letter: Neither the Lib Dems nor the Conservatives Will Get My Vote in May

Published on: 12 Jan, 2023
Updated on: 12 Jan, 2023

From Stuart Green

In response to: North Street Plan Rejected by Borough Council in Knife-edge Vote

This ridiculous decision by our Councillors will leave the North Street area of town looking shabby, derelict and without investment for another 20 years. For the past 20 years we have waited for this part of town to be improved. Yes the plan wasn’t perfect, it needed more affordable housing, but it was the best solution that has come forward in all that time.

First, the Conservative councillors should be ashamed that they politicised the decision by taking it to the Secretary of State Michael Gove, elected borough councillors are in place to decide these matters locally. The Conservatives sat on this area while they presided over the council offices and other than the ill-fated and out-of-touch “Pop Up Village” they did nothing.

Second, the remaining councillors should have more backbone and accept change. They are scared of high rises, well this was never going to be another Woking, but for once maybe they should think of Guildford for the younger residents that deserve change rather than being short-sighted and selfish. Guildford deserves better.

Now we, the Guildford residents will have to put up with this derelict monstrosity for who knows how long now. Well, it just proves that the Conservatives and Lib Dems are out of touch and neither will get my vote again in May.

Responses to Letter: Neither the Lib Dems nor the Conservatives Will Get My Vote in May

David Smith Reply

January 12, 2023 at 6:39 pm

The reader says that councillors should be thinking of younger residents. Wasn’t that precisely what they were doing by refusing it for the lack of affordable housing?

I was mixed about this scheme, probably more in favour than against, but I realised recently this was due to years of the area being a zone of discard, it had worn me down to pretty much being happy with anything.

Yes, we will have to wait a bit longer but in reality what was this scheme providing – a mass of over priced unaffordable flats and a tiny pocket park.