People Flock To Give Views On Data For New Local Plan

Published on: 6 Mar, 2014
Updated on: 6 Mar, 2014

More than 130 people helped reappraise the evidence base for Guildford’s new Local Plan at two forums this week (March 4).

At Millmead, people and business representatives joined Guildford Borough Council officers, consultants and councillors to discuss the methodology and maths behind the documents.

Guildford Borough Council has given people the chance to reappraise the evidence base for its new Local Plan.

The chairman of the customer and community scrutiny committee, Cllr Terence Patrick, said: “It was good to see so many local residents and organisations at the sessions. They provided useful feedback on the evidence documents. We covered a number of issues including interpretation of the facts and figures, corrections that may be required, and additional information that was requested.”

The forums follows the council’s consideration of two e-petitions – Keeping West Horsley in the Green Belt and Save the Hogs Back. The council agreed to allow full public involvement in the reappraisal of the Local Plan’s evidence base, including the Green Belt and Countryside Study.

After a short introduction by Cllr Terence Patrick and Cllr Zoe Franklin, participants were invited to speak to the officers and consultants who prepared the evidence base and ask questions.

Cllr Zoe Franklin, who chairs the corporate improvement scrutiny committee, said: “The forum sessions gave residents an opportunity to give their views and talk to council staff, consultants and councillors about the evidence base documents.”

A special joint scrutiny committee will consider the findings on April 3.