Letter: The Main Issue With Development Is Infrastructure

Published on: 25 Nov, 2025
Updated on: 25 Nov, 2025

From Jim Allen

In response to: Portsmouth Road and Guildford Park Road Are the Right Types of Development

It is important to consider the historical context of housing development in Guildford Borough.

Previously, approximately 200 homes were constructed annually, while the estimated need was around 350. The Local Plan was subsequently adjusted to approximately 500 units to align with central government objectives, and it has now reached approximately 1,000 units.

However, the necessary infrastructure upgrades for these developments have not yet materialised.

Furthermore, Guildford’s water supply, serviced by Thames and Affinity Water, is currently insufficient. This scarcity is projected to impact the additional 6,000 homes already planned, as water will need to be transported from the River Severn via the proposed Abingdon reservoir, which is not yet in existence. This information is detailed in the Environment Agency’s letter regarding the Gosden Hill Farm application.

The wastewater treatment facility is projected to be operational by 2027; however, there are concerns regarding the current pipe diameters beneath the A3 and adjacent to the railway line. There are currently no disclosed plans to expand these pipes to accommodate either the station or car park projects, which significantly increases the likelihood of flooding.

Then there is electricity. Uxbridge data farm has taken all capacity on the London main ring until 2035. So the proposed new switchgear at Weybridge’s 2,500 insulators on the 50 pylons and 8km of cabling to cope with the 30 per cent increase in per home usage at a cost of £8.4 million is rather pointless until the London main ring capacity is increased in ten years’ time.

And I have not mentioned roads, school spaces and NHS capacity!

Don’t be misled by the simplistic centralised government cry of, “We need houses!”

What we actually need is a serious and very expensive upgrade to our infrastructure alongside measures to control the alleged increased in housing demand.

Share This Post