“The government’s Planning Inspector will hold another public hearing, at the Borough Council’s offices in Guildford, as part of his independent examination of our submitted Local Plan.

Cllr Paul Spooner, Leader of the Council, says: “The government’s Planning Inspector found our Local Plan to be substantially sound on all key tests during this summer’s public hearings, which form part of his independent examination. He has also indicated that, as they have already been thoroughly discussed, he will not revisit issues such as spatial strategy, strategic sites and constraints in the next public hearing in February 2019. The Inspector will focus on the overall housing requirement and the possible implications arising from the latest Office of National Statistics (ONS) household projection figures.

“We think that the potential reduction in homes based on the ONS figures means that it is now possible to meet our borough’s housing need, without having to allocate any of the new green belt sites proposed in the recent main modifications consultation. However, our plan is about more than providing much-needed local homes. The next hearing will be another important step in providing sustainable places to live and work in our borough, supported by vital infrastructure and a great environment.”

We have now sent the latest consultation feedback to the Inspector for him to review the comments before completing his examination and final recommendations to the Council. The Inspector has also indicated that he will consider our latest documents about the new Office of National Statistics (ONS) household projection figures alongside the comments from the 2018 consultation.

You can find out more information about the hearing on 12 and 13 February on our website, including the Inspector’s Note, Matters and Issues and a Programme of Participants as soon as they are published.

www.guildford.gov.uk/newlocalplan”