Guildford Borough Council Liberal Democrat Group statement on the North Street Development planning decision

There was broad agreement by the planning committee that regeneration of this derelict site was welcome and that the proposal included a number of good quality and highly welcome aspects, such as being highly sustainable and providing a new medical centre and well-designed public spaces. However, it was also clear that the committee members had strong reservations around the lack of affordable housing, the reduced size of the bus station, and the impact the height of the scheme would have on the character of the town.

We do hope - and would encourage - St Edwards to respond to this decision by continuing with their conversations with the council and by coming back with an amended scheme which addresses the concerns raised by the committee and the public. We do not want to see this site standing empty and an amended scheme could allay concerns and enable us to progress with a good quality, sustainable redevelopment in our town centre which includes a bus station that the bus companies are happy with and the provision of homes that people, especially the younger people our town needs to attract in order to thrive, can actually afford to live in.

We would also like to point out that, whilst we cannot speak for any other political parties, we strictly follow the probity in planning rules and absolutely do not whip, or attempt to influence, our planning committee members to follow a party line. Every Liberal Democrat member of the committee always makes their own, individual decision based on planning rules and the evidence in front of them.

12th January 2023