Letter: Residents Had No Real Influence Over the Local Plan ‘Trajectory’

Published on: 4 Jan, 2018
Updated on: 4 Jan, 2018

From Fiona Curtis

In response to: Council Leader Responds to the Raising of Guildford’s Local Plan at PMQs

Firstly, may I wish readers and staff at The Guildford Dragon NEWS a very happy and healthy 2018. I look forward to the continuation of good quality debate and information.

In response to the debate that has arisen from Sir Paul Beresford’s question to the Prime Minister, it would be useful if councillors gave actual numbers rather than percentages.

Exactly how many acres of green belt are to be rolled back or re-designated, or whatever other terminology is used to describe removal, and yes, this must, of course, include the villages that are being taken out of green belt or “inset”? I have heard figures of around 6-7%, which would equate to the loss of well over 4,000 acres of green belt, a far cry from the reassurances given.

Cllr Spooner refers to “clearly defined exceptional circumstances”. I would be grateful if these could be stated for each of the strategic sites as any reference in my copy of the Local Plan was far from clear?

Reference is also made to local people and their need for affordable housing. In the interests of clarity, could GBC please state how many houses are needed for local people (my interpretation being people from Guildford – but if GBC is using a different interpretation, then an explanation would be useful) and how many houses of £100k-£200k that people on average or low incomes can afford, will actually be built? What policies will ensure they go to local people? (I have not included Woking or Waverley as they each have their own allocation).

The people of Guildford were led to believe that the direction of the Local Plan would be guided by feedback obtained through the consultation process. The consultation asked respondents to state whether they objected or supported each point made and from this, GBC will have a pretty good idea of the level of support/objection the plan received.

I have not been successful in obtaining an answer to this question, which troubles me as the independent survey I conducted last summer, (including additional submissions made in August) showed 81% object to the plan. The inspector will assume that the plan is the result of the lengthy and costly consultation, but in truth, input from residents has barely influenced the trajectory since day one.