Letter: Without A Plan Our Town is Vulnerable

Published on: 24 Apr, 2019
Updated on: 24 Apr, 2019

From Helena Townsend

In response to: We Don’t Have to Fall for Conservative Propaganda

It’s pressure groups that are bullying Guildford – the so-called professionals (with expertise I must add) that constantly hold up much-needed development. We had it with Waitrose – the threat of a judicial review which went nowhere but ended up costing the taxpayer in legal fees and now we are having it again with the Local Plan. “GBC’s mistakes will be exposed in the courts.” What is this, a soap opera?

Don’t vote for the Conservatives but don’t think this party, the Guildford Greenbelt Group (GGG) will get you a better deal. The Local Plan is considered sound by a government inspector yet GGG and/or RVG4 (Residents for Guildford & Villages) think they will successfully challenge it in court? Is this the expertise these individuals claim to have?

For people living in Guildford town be prepared for a massive amount of housing to be dumped, more flats to add to those that are not selling in exchange for the preservation of GGG’s homeland. After all, families with children need high-rise flats with no parking to live in. Yes, sure.

In the meantime without a plan, our town is vulnerable to developers, as with no plan in place they can pretty much build what they want, and it will take years for another plan to be put in place because the latest set of individuals putting themselves forward for positions on the council will just bicker between themselves and agree to nothing.

Does anyone honestly think their behaviours will change? You only have to read The Dragon to see what their conduct has been in the past. There is one difference however and that is that they will have no one to blame. Goodness knows how they will fill the void.

Responses to Letter: Without A Plan Our Town is Vulnerable

Lisa Wright Reply

April 24, 2019 at 12:57 pm

But with this plan, the town is sure to be left to rot, suffer severe congestion and pollution.

This local plan does nothing to:
Regenerate North Street
Use our empty retail sites
Highlight our beautiful Riverside
Encourage business to stay in Guildford
Act on air quality issues
Deal with town and A3 traffic congestion

Or appreciate our natural environment

Nor does it make any sensible contribution to homes that our young and old would want to live in.

There are some significant changes required for this plan but having been involved for many years, those standing for election are primed to move swiftly to create the right plan for our people.