Letter: We Are Preparing a New Local Plan to Meet Housing Needs and Protect Our Environment

Published on: 21 Aug, 2026
Updated on: 21 Aug, 2026

Green belt? No “grey belt”.

From Fiona White

lead borough councillor for Planning and Lib Dem member for Ash Wharf

In response to: It’s All ‘Grey Belt’ Now, It Seems – We Are On a Trajectory

Guildford Borough Council is preparing a new Local Plan under the Government’s revised planning system introduced earlier this year.

The Local Plan will set out the vision, strategy and planning policies to guide development and land use across the borough up to 2045. It will identify how Guildford can meet future housing, employment and infrastructure needs while protecting and enhancing the borough’s environment, heritage and distinctive character.

The preparation of a new Local Plan involves extensive evidence gathering, assessment and public engagement before any site allocations are proposed. The Council is currently in the preparatory “getting ready” stage, before moving into the formal 30-month plan-making process at the end of in October.

No decisions have been made about where future development may take place. The Government’s introduction of “grey belt” does not mean that the whole of Guildford borough is now available for development. Any future development proposals will continue to be assessed through the planning application process and against relevant planning policies and the Local Plan.

This means that every site and planning application will be considered on its own merits, taking into account a wide range of planning, environmental and infrastructure factors.

Next month, the Council will launch a six-week Local Plan Scoping Consultation – the first of at least three opportunities for local people to get involved in the plan-making process.

The views of those who participate will influence the content of the new Local Plan and how it is developed.  We would encourage everyone to get involved and give their views, and we’ll shortly be sharing more information about how to get involved in the consultation.

We want to hear from as many people as possible. The view of residents, businesses, community groups and stakeholders will help us identify the right priorities and ensure the plan’s vision reflects the needs and aspirations of our communities.

Before it can be adopted, the new Local Plan will be independently examined by a Planning Inspector appointed by the Government. Once adopted, it will replace the Council’s existing Local Plan documents, including the Local Plan: Strategy and Sites (2019) and Local Plan: Development Management Policies (2023).

The new Local Plan is an opportunity to shape how Guildford evolves over the coming decades, balancing the need for homes, jobs and infrastructure with the protection of the landscapes, heritage and communities that make the borough unique.

By working closely with local people throughout the process, the Council aims to develop a plan that supports sustainable growth while preserving the qualities that make Guildford such a special place to live, work and visit.