Letter: Please Come To Our Meeting : Guildford is On the Brink

Published on: 15 Oct, 2018
Updated on: 15 Oct, 2018

From Bill Stokoe

If you are concerned about the future of our town centre then come along to Guildford Vision Group’s public meeting at 7.30pm tomorrow, Tuesday October 16, at the Baptist Centre, Millmead, Guildford.

The inspector examining the draft Local Plan has called for a modification concerning the town centre. In response the council have produced a new policy, S3. This modification, along with a number of others, not least on new housing numbers, is currently out for public consultation until 12 noon, 23 October [not 26 October as originally stated].

So just before the deadline for people to submit their responses the GVG meeting will be an opportunity to hear about and discuss what policy S3 will or will not deliver by way of town centre development and improvement.

Guildford is on the brink. Get the policy right and we can look forward to a progressive future, with a proper, coordinated focus on the key elements that will help drive the town centre and its economy forward.

Get the policy wrong and we can expect disjointed, opportunistic development that further strangles the centre. Such a development path, with inadequate attention to infrastructure, will lead to the slow demise of the town centre economy as people vote with their feet and go elsewhere for work, homes, shopping and leisure.

Is the Guildford planning system working in the best interests of its residents and businesses? The signs are not encouraging. We really are in the last chance saloon for our town centre. Its future shouldn’t be a gamble.

So do come along to hear what’s happening, what could happen and what really should happen.

Help shape the consultation response.

On the night we will also be announcing the winners of our competition to find the best of the town centre. The two winners from those submitting entries on ‘I love Guildford because…’ will each receive a £100 voucher to spend at the Cosy Club in Tunsgate.

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