Neighbourhood Plan for the West Clandon Area

Published on: 6 Apr, 2022
Updated on: 8 Apr, 2022

St Peter and Paul’s Church, West Clandon – Google Street View

The West Clandon Neighbourhood Plan was adopted at GBC’s full council meeting last night (April 6). West Clandon residents had already voted on the plan in March.

The Onslow Arms – Google Street View

The Plan now forms part of the Development Plan for the borough, outlining relevant planning policies. During the preparation process, it allowed local people to have a say in how their neighbourhood will develop and will help guide GBC’s decisions on planning applications in West Clandon, along with the Local Plan and other documents.

Council leader Joss Bigmore (R4GV, Christchurch), said: “Last summer an independent examination recommended some small changes to the West Clandon Neighbourhood Plan. We agreed to these changes and held a referendum on the updated plan.

Cllr Chris Barrass

“We welcome the adoption of the Plan, which now carries full weight in determining planning applications in the West Clandon Neighbourhood Area. This is one of the ways local people can have a say in future development in their area.”

Clandon And Horsley ward councillor, Christopher Barrass said: “The West Clandon Neighbourhood Plan will help to preserve the character of our ancient village which dates back to before the Domesday Book.

“In particular, thanks are owed to West Clandon Parish Council and the team of residents, headed by John Stone, which worked tirelessly to put together the Plan and get it through all the hoops to approval.

The Bull’s Head – Google Street View

“The people of West Clandon voted overwhelmingly in favour of its adoption and it will now be a valuable resource in assessing planning applications in the village as they come forward.”

In response to the referendum question: “Do you want Guildford Borough Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for the West Clandon Neighbourhood Area to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”, most voters in the referendum voted ‘Yes’.

The vote was 313 for and 20 against, with a turnout of 30.1 per cent.

GBC has eight neighbourhood plans across our borough.

Responses to Neighbourhood Plan for the West Clandon Area

Catherine Young Reply

April 6, 2022 at 8:27 pm

It was a fantastic result to achieve a unanimous vote for the adoption of West Clandon’s Neighbourhood Plan at GBC’s full council meeting on Tuesday. The whole team involved in producing the plan worked incredibly hard, and their commitment and enthusiasm is to be applauded.

The Neighbourhood Plan now forms part of the Development Plan for the Borough and its policies must be given significant weight in the determination of future planning applications for West Clandon. The character assessment included is particularly strong and goes someway to having in place an excellent “Design Code” that will shape future development in the village.

Given the Government’s agenda on localism, and the continued encouragement for local people to be involved in shaping the future of their villages and streets, this Neighbourhood Plan couldn’t have come at a better time.

Three out of four of our parishes in the Clandon & Horsley Ward that I represent now have adopted Neighbourhood Plans, and East Clandon has this under consideration.
Jim Allen Reply

April 6, 2022 at 10:12 pm

Sadly, a very disappointing plan. It could have been so much more.
Rosie & Bob Wood Reply

April 7, 2022 at 11:46 am

Congratulations to Cllr Chris Barrass, the parish council and all who have worked so hard for this result.
Jules Cranwell Reply

April 7, 2022 at 3:36 pm

Great job by those involved. However, how can we be sure GBC will not bulldoze over this plan, as they have for the West Horsley Neighbourhood plan?