Guildford Borough Council (GBC) will only be asking for comments about the proposed changes to the plan, as agreed by the council in May.

The council will submit all of last year’s consultation comments to the planning inspector, along with the responses to this summer’s targeted “regulation 19” consultation about the proposed changes.

Cllr Paul Spooner

Cllr Paul Spooner (Con, Ash South & Tongham), leader of the council, said: “After reviewing the comments from last year’s consultation, we made a number of significant changes to the plan and proposed sites, as well as updating the supporting evidence and policies. Our wide-ranging

“Our wide-ranging consultation, starting this Friday June 9, gives another opportunity to help shape the borough’s future by commenting on the amendments in the latest version of our draft Local Plan.

“Across our whole borough, people need places to live and thrive, with a great environment, transport and other vital infrastructure to support them.

“We remain committed to fundamental principles, such as our ‘brownfield first’ policy of proposing sites with past development, minimising development in green belt, protecting our Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and some of the changes increase the number of homes in the town centre with reduced or removed housing sites in rural areas and green belt.

“We also remain committed to ensuring the necessary infrastructure is delivered to support the Local Plan. This means that our local and strategic partners must also complete their transport and other projects, so we can deliver the Local Plan in full.

“The plan we submit for independent inspection will provide much-needed homes, jobs and leisure opportunities and this consultation is another chance to get involved.”

During the targeted consultation, from 12 noon on Friday, June 9 – 12 noon on Monday,  July 24 2017, GBC will only be asking for comments about the proposed changes to the plan.

These will be clearly shown in the updated plan documents (via tracked changes), along with summaries that highlight the changes in each policy.

You can view the latest draft plan and submit your comments about changes to the new Local Plan at: www.guildford.gov.uk/newlocalplan

Copies of the Guildford Borough Proposed Submission Local Plan: strategy and sites (2017) and its accompanying documents, including the representation form, will also be available for inspection at: GBC Council’s Offices, Millmead during office hours; and at the following libraries: Guildford, Ash, Horsley and Shere, during normal opening hours.

Consultation feedback about the changes must be provided in writing, ideally via the council’s representation form. Those making comments shoulsd ensure thaey are clearlty stated  and that they identify which paragraph number or policy they relate to in the Local Plan document.

GBC has also organised three public information drop-in events. The GBC Planning Policy Team will be available to clarify the consultation process and you can view copies of the documents at:

• East Horsley Village Hall – Wednesday, June 14 2017 – between 1pm and 8pm
• Tongham Community Centre – Thursday, June 15 2017 – between 1pm and 8pm
• Guildford Town Centre at our council offices at Millmead – Saturday, July 1 2017 – between 10am and 5pm

Coming soon: Campaigners Fear Local Plan Could Spell the End for the Green Belt – please check back.