Residents of Ash Invited To Comment on Proposed Neighbourhood Plan

Published on: 21 Jan, 2026
Updated on: 21 Jan, 2026

Ash Green: The proposed Neighbourhood Plan is seeking to protect its identity as a village

By David Reading

Guildford Borough Council has begun a seven-week public consultation exercise to give residents of Ash the opportunity to comment on a proposed Neighbourhood Plan for the area.

Neighbourhood Plans give communities “a meaningful voice” in local development, says the council, so that local people can help to:

identify suitable locations for new homes, shops and offices
shape the appearance and character of new buildings
guide the design, use and protection of open spaces
support development that reflects local priorities.

Once approved, a Neighbourhood Plan becomes part of the borough’s Development Plan, meaning its policies must be considered when planning applications are decided.

Cllr Michael Moriarty

The Ash Neighbourhood Plan – revised from a previous version – has been developed by Ash Parish Council, with Cllr Michael Moriarty taking the lead.

A key objective is to retain Ash Green’s identity as an independent village, separate from the Ash and Tongham built-up area that contains Ash and Ash Vale.

The Plan defines a local gap between Ash and Ash Green for the purpose of preventing the coalescence of the housing settlements. Under the Plan, development should not be permitted in this area if it would result in the joining of the two settlements or the erosion of their separate identities.

Cllr Fiona White

Cllr Fiona White, GBC’s Lead Councillor for Planning, said: “This is a real opportunity for the Ash community to directly shape the places where they live and work. The more people who get involved, the stronger and more representative the final Plan will be.”

While Neighbourhood Plans give communities significant influence, they cannot be used to prevent the development needed to meet housing needs across the borough. GBC says: “Instead, they help ensure that growth happens in a way that reflects local aspirations and strengthens the character of the area.”

The council is encouraging all residents, businesses and community groups to review the proposed Ash Neighbourhood Plan and share their views. The consultation, now open, will run until 12 noon on Monday, March 9.

Further information and an online response form are available on the Council’s consultation website.

The version now out for consultation has been revised from an earlier version. Feedback had been taken from residents and other stakeholders following last summer’s consultation by Ash Parish Council.

After the present consultation, an independent examiner will consider all feedback and recommend whether the Plan should proceed to a local referendum, be modified before doing so, or be refused. If it goes to referendum and receives majority support, the Ash Neighbourhood Plan will become part of the Development Plan for the area.