The Guildford Vision Group (GVG) was founded in 2011 in response to Guildford Borough Council’s initial draft Town Centre Framework, which we believed was lacking in vision and inspiration.
We are a group of residents, almost all with a background in property, transport and planning, and we share a common goal and passion: that Guildford will become an even more attractive, vibrant and pleasant town to live and work in.
Since our first meeting, we’ve campaigned for a proper plan that will see the town developed based on one integrated strategy. We were delighted when the council commissioned a masterplan for Guildford.
However, the council has yet to commit to this plan, which was restricted in its scope when it came to infrastructure. We therefore continue to push for its best elements and for new elements, such as the river crossing that will carry traffic around the centre.
GVG commissioned its own masterplan with considerable help from Leonard Design Architects, a practice of international repute. We have presented our plan to the Council and continue to urge its leadership to give it careful consideration.
Guildford is at the most significant crossroads in its 1,000 year history, and our town now needs your help.
With growing pressures on housing, business, traffic and infrastructure, we have a stark choice – either our town continues with the piecemeal development it has suffered since the 1960s (which will eventually turn it into an unattractive, inefficient urban sprawl), or we take the steps needed to create pleasant open spaces for everyone to enjoy, and a beautiful riverside like those found in Richmond, Kingston and Stratford Upon Avon.
At GVG, we believe our council has an opportunity to put into place the formal development plan that our town deserves. Without a new road crossing, the current four-lane carriageway that carries heavy traffic into the centre and separates the town and the river will have to stay, and we’ll lose our chance to create a beautiful, safe town centre free from cars, noise and damaging fumes.
Thank you for your support.
Bill Stokoe, Chairman
Chair of the Guildford Vison Group. Retired banker and consultant. Vice Chair, Guildford College Group. Former Chair of The Guildford Society & Abbot’s Hospital.
Former Managing Director at Credit Suisse in charge of Equity Derivatives Trading. Now runs a private portfolio of angel investments. Joss was elected to the Guildford Borough Council in 2019
Former Partner and Director of Scott Brownrigg specialising in transportation terminals. Visiting professor of engineering design, University of Surrey. Chris was elected to the Guildford Borough Council in 2019.
Co-founder and former Chair of Guildford Vision Group. Until he retired had senior posts at Savills including Head of Central London and International Investment, and Head of Strategic Investment. John was elected to Guildford Borough Council in 2019.
Managing Director of Property House Marketing. Former editor of Guildford Magazine
Retired Shell executive, secretary of Guildford Society Transport Group
Honorary Secretary, The Guildford Society
Chris has had a long career as a Public Relations and Communications specialist. Chris was elected to the Guildford Borough Council in 2019.
Public relations director and social media consultant at Property House Marketing
Founder, David Ogilvie Design Architects and Town Planners. Member of Guildford Society Planning Group
Retired Chartered Structural Engineer. Former MD, Thomasons.
Business Organisation Development and IT consultant with experience of working for major corporates in the Travel, Food, Chemicals and Energy sectors in the UK and internationally. Since early 2019 Alistair has been chairman of the Guilford Society.
Founder of Lytle-Associates Architects, Guildford est.1987. Tutor, mentor, consultant and active interest architecture and town planning.
International career in commercial, educational and arts organisations
Economic, Chartered Surveyor and sustainable property consultant to Real Estate Forecasting Ltd. Visiting Post Graduate Professor at Oxford Brookes University and Royal Agricultural University, Hong Kong Academy of Management
Retired infrastructure planning and management consultant. Former Executive Chairman of consultants GHK, now part of the US-based ICF Group
Director of Worldwide Occupier Services, Savills; Chair, The Guildford Society; Chairman, RICS Corporate Occupier Group; Board Member, RICS Commercial Board
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