Legal News

Guildford Council is to issue a Consultation Statement in May, highlighting the changes made to its revised Local Plan to avert a potential housing crisis.

The council says the Local Plan aims to balance the needs of residents, businesses and visitors – and will also protect the borough's most important countryside, landscapes and heritage “in planned, pragmatic and sustainable ways”.

The revised Local Plan was published on Tuesday, 5 April 2016 and took into account more than 20,000 comments and questions received from local residents, businesses and organisations during the most recent public consultation.

The plan is also supported by detailed evidence using the best advice and forecasts available.

The council says there is currently a large gap between supply and demand for suitable homes, with a need for more affordable homes, including for essential workers.

The council adds that the local housing shortage has “a major impact” on employment and transport in the area.

Lead Councillor for Housing and Social Welfare, Councillor Tony Rooth, said:

“Our borough has a serious housing shortage – and three key concerns must be confronted.

“Firstly, the supply of smaller and more affordable properties is seriously below the level needed.

“Secondly, we must make best use of land available for housing – hence the council's firm policy of brownfield first.

“Thirdly, urban land covers no more than nine per cent of the borough, giving little room for growth, without including a small part of the Green Belt that stretches across 89 per cent of our borough.

“We feel we can achieve our goals with just 1.6 per cent of land taken from the Green Belt and allocated for development.”

The council says that lack of suitable affordable properties also means many workers have to commute into the borough, adding to congestion on local roads.

This also means some will choose to take seek jobs nearer to home, creating employment recruitment and retention issues for employers across Guildford.

The Local Plan requires at least 80% of new homes to have one, two or three bedrooms, to ensure the borough has all types and sizes of homes for all parts of the community – supported by suitable infrastructure, including transport, education and healthcare.

Cllr Rooth added:

“We live in a prosperous, but expensive, borough which is seriously short of affordable housing.

“Many people who work in the borough – including essential workers such as teachers, nurses, police officers and carers – cannot afford to live here, whether in bought or rented accommodation.”

“The Local Plan aims for 40 per cent of new homes to be affordable – the borough also needs many smaller homes available for all ages and needs.”

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis housing solicitors can advise tenants in the private rental sector on a wide range of housing matters, including Landlord and Tenant disputes, tenancy agreements, lease extensions, disrepair and unlawful eviction.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and our housing team can also advise on social housing and local authority housing matters – as well as offering conveyancing services to homebuyers and advising on debt management issues and mortgage repossession.

For expert legal advice on housing law, call Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 0333 772 0409.