Speaking up for Guildford's past, present & future 

GSoC CHAIRMAN RESIGNS

Julian Lyon, our chair, has decided to stand in the forthcoming local elections.  GSoC is a non-political organisation, this means we must sadly accept Julian’s resignation as chairman and from the executive.  Julian will remain a member of the Guildford Society.  Julian’s letter of resignation is available via this link.

I am sure we all wish to express our thanks to Julian for the energy and commitment he has shown to the society whilst chairman.  In particular, his efforts related to the Solum Planning Inquiry and the Local Plan Inquiry have been extremely valuable to both the society and the wider community.  As a GSoC member Julian will still be contributing on planning matters, notably the re-opened local plan inquiry – expected in February, and planning applications that are expected in 2019 for the strategic sites identified in the local plan.

The GSoC executive will be meeting in the New Year to elect a new chair.

LOCAL PLAN RE-OPENED

It has been announced that Jonathan Bore the inspector will re-open the local plan hearing to consider Household projections. These hearings will be Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th February 2019. The venue is likely to be Council Offices Millmead.   The society is glad that the issue of housing numbers in the borough is to be re-visited.  We are also concerned that other issues are not to be re-examined particularly, Spatial Policy, Town Centre Policies and Infrastructure Provision

NOT A GOOD YEAR

Julian Lyon our Chair has summarised 2018 as not a good year for the Town and the surrounding Borough.  The year has been consumed by fighting the Solum development and questioning the flawed Local Plan.

Looking ahead local elections are looming on 2nd May, and we wonder what changes that may bring. Reviewing our manifesto call to Councillors at the last election, the society is underwhelmed by progress, and we need, again, to point out several matters that new Councillors will need to tackle.  These include Piecemeal Planning, an inadequate/ unadopted Local Plan, Wasteful Projects, and Council Effectiveness. 

Guildford continues to be at risk from bad development and inadequate infrastructure provision, damaging our countryside and town; impacting the quality of life of all the boroughs residents.

The full text of Julian Lyons statement can be found at this link