Guildford Planning Update

June 2010
 

• In May 2009 the government published the South East Plan (SEP), designed to shape future development of the region until 2026
• Guildford Borough Council subsequently challenged the plan in the High Court, due to the fact that the plans requirement for a greenbelt ‘selective review’ to the north-east of Guildford town (Merrow) had not been subject to a full Sustainability Appraisal (SA), where alternatives to greenbelt development should be considered  
• In November 2009 it was agreed that the SA had failed to take into account ‘reasonable alternatives’ to the release of the greenbelt for the development of 2000 homes planned at Merrow
• It is anticipated that the reference to the north-east extension will be removed from the SEP, allowing Guildford to re-engage with their local development framework, and more importantly complete the site allocations process
• Guildford Borough Council anticipates that the preferred options consultation will commence in August with public consultation on the preferred housing areas in late 2010 / early 2011.

Although the High Court challenge has severely delayed the site allocations process, the council has significantly reduced the amount of new housing expected in north-east Guildford. The site allocations process will look at alternatives to providing this housing along with other existing housing requirements earmarked for greenbelt development.  We believe that this will enhance the prospects for our site at Tangley Lane.