The Society hopes all are keeping safe and well during the Pandemic.

Guildford Society Design Awards

We will shortly be publishing details of the ‘long list’ of developments to be considered.

Weyside Development

Weyside formally known as SARP has started consultation on the development.  To find out more look at Weyside Urban Village  which has details of the consultation events. The Society will be following progress closely.

There has also been a consultation on the scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment report to which the society has responded.

Weyside is a project which has a major impact in Guildford ranging from Sewage Treatment, Road Infrastructure to Views on the River Wey and impact on wild life.

Wisley Development.

Tayloe Wimpey who own the majority of the Wisley site have started public consultation on their ideas for the site.  To find out more look at  Wisley Airfield  which has details of the consultation events. The Society will be following progress closely.

Planning

The society has responded to the Guildford Borough Local Plan: Development Management Policies  that provides the policy ‘teeth’ for the Local Plan; Strategic Sites agreed in 2019.

The society believes the LPDMP is a weak document lacking good policy in the areas of

Housing delivery where clear Density and Scale criteria need establishing

Design policies must have more ambition; including providing further standards for development as is done by other local authorities. The lack of policies for converting buildings is especially concerning, as we would like to see conversion of commercial to residential taking place in future.

Please read our full response

Local Government: Changes Coming?

Many will have noticed that Tim Oliver Leader of the Surrey County Council has called for Surrey to be restructured as one unitary authority with the current layer of Borough Councils being removed.  See letter sent by Tim Oliver to Robert Jenrick Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

Obviously, this proposal has caused considerable discussion in political circles.  The society will be following the developments with interest as it may mean major changes for the Guildford area e.g. the Town is likely to get a Town Council but what powers will it have?, .

A short term issue may be to make attracting talent to Guildford Borough Council difficult.  The Corporate Management Team at Millmead has a vacancy at present, filling the post if it is doubtful the council will survive is a challenge.