Guildford’s New Housing Target Could Double
It looks likely that the new government’s proposed revised housing need calculation would see Guildford slated for around 8,000 more homes on top of the current target. That is almost double the current Local Plan figure of 562 new homes per annum, itself a huge uplift recently imposed in 2019 by the Local Plan. Think five more Wisley-size settlements.
That’s why the council should more actively pursue a town centre/brownfield first policy but it needs urgent action. Brownfield takes more effort and skill to action, let alone deliver. That’s the only way we can limit the encroachment on Green Belt land already underway around Guildford and if we are to reduce the adverse impact on villages surrounding our town.
Local Plan Update – Greater Urgency Essential
The proposed timetable for the update of the Local Plan to identify preferred sites is too extended. It could be much shorter with the right political will and proper strategic planning. Again, when it comes to making sure the evidence base is fit for purpose in the case of the town centre, the council need look no further than their own ‘Shaping Guildford’s Future’ masterplan. It shows how to open up the riverside and create a healthier more attractive environment for residents and visitors alike, as well as creating 2500 riverside homes.
A New Flood Alleviation Scheme Is Vital
If we want to prioritise the town centre for new housing, we must prioritise the Flood Alleviation Scheme (FAS). Up to 30 brownfield sites could be released from planning blight once a new FAS is in place with planning consent. At the moment applications are rejected because of the risk of flooding. Address the flooding risk and the barrier to development comes down. The Environment Agency is actively pursuing this new scheme (see Guildford FAS) and Surrey County Council have confirmed their support. It just needs our council to act decisively. Not just announcing that the council supports a FAS, that’s easy. The council must lead the way and crack the whip. Neither of the other two bureaucracies, Surrey County Council and the Environment Agency, will be at all motivated without seeing real evidence of Guildford’s leadership, energy and commitment to the task.
The Next Stage Of Station Development Needs Careful Scrutiny. Let’s Not Miss The Boat A Second Time
All of us are horrified by the Solum development currently underway on the east side of Guildford Station and known locally as the Great Wall of Guildford. Already the sheer scale and mass of the scheme is evident. The tragedy is that little, if any, collateral benefit for the community will ensue. The booking hall becomes slightly larger, albeit still with intrusive pillars. There are no lifts or other essential improvements to accessibility. The head of the taxi queue will still be inconveniently away from the exit. There is not enough room for buses to serve passengers, let alone a passenger drop-off and collection, to form a decent interchange.
That means we must make sure we don’t lose any other opportunity to improve the travellers’ lot. That chance will come with development of the west side of the station, ie on the land between the Guildford Park Road entrance to the station up to the Farnham Road; land where Network Rail currently base some of the maintenance staff and stores.
A number of issues are in play. Farnham Road Bridge will need replacement over the next 20-30 years. Pedestrian space is already inadequate on the bridge, if not dangerous. There’s almost certainly going to be an extra platform added on the west side, ie supplanting the maintenance space, now that there is no room for rail expansion on the east side, thanks to the Solum development currently underway.
The west side of the station will be the last chance to create a proper transport interchange for public transport and taxis. Let’s not lose it. The council should prepare a proper brief to shape development across the site, especially given the plans for development and refurbishment of the building at 1 Farnham Road.
SGF has developed various worthwhile ideas for the development of this side of the station to maximise benefit for the community and rail users.
Guildford and the town centre have received little care or attention for some decades now. At the very time it should be a priority, council planners are having to focus their energies on the three strategic sites – Wisley Airport, Blackwell Farm and Gosden Hill – taken from the Green Belt.
Guildford town Centre should not be cast aside again by our planners. We need action now!
Tumbling Bay Weir
GVG wrote to the chair of The National Trust, seeking an update on reinstatement of the footpath bridge. Five years have passed and residents have been denied easy access to the attractive area alongside the navigation towpath.
The local general manager of the NT replied. Apparently a local specialist engineering firm is undertaking a feasibility study during this year.
As 2024 heads towards a close, there is no definite timetable publicly available and no settled solution.
Since its inception in 2011, GVG has consistently called for an opening-up of the riverside where it runs through the town. The riverside/navigation is a vastly underexploited asset, an asset other towns would dearly love to possess.
The glacial pace of progress towards a solution for the weir is so disappointing.
GVG website
Our website is under reconstruction. We hope to have it up and running very soon.
In the meantime, should you wish to contact us, please email info@guildfordvisiongroup.com
