Letter: New Developments Need Employment Opportunities

Published on: 26 Dec, 2025
Updated on: 26 Dec, 2025

From N Rockliff

In response to: Large, Controversial Developments Planned for Guildford – Will Infrastructure Cope?

In all the large development proposals one sees, such as Gosden Hill, there is rarely, if ever, mention of the provision of employment opportunities such as commercial, office or light industry as part of the developments.

Without these, the developments will be just “dormitory” suburbs, with increased commuter traffic to neighbouring town centres or to London – one of the main reason for objections.

Having really local employment with firms invested in the neighbourhood will help build communities, contribute to walkable and cyclable neighbourhoods, and to make these new developments attractive to home buyers.

Surely developers ought to be engaging with a number of employers both large and small, to come up with a cooperative model, with the employment opportunities (as well as community infrastructure provision) starting in early phases of the project. Could such employer involvement in fact not be required for the granting of planning permission?

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