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March/April 2005 No 93
Planning successes
There has been considerable relief in the ward following the unanimous refusal of the planning application to build an 8000 spectator stadium adjacent to Parkway, next to Spectrum. Neither of your ward councillors was able to be present, speak or vote as we were deemed to have "prejudicial" interests in the application.
The Executive of the Council, of which Andrew Hodges is chairman ( and again he had to leave the room during discussion!) subsequently resolved that the land required to build any stadium should not be sold. It was considered that it would be inappropriate for the Council to dispose of the land at Stoke Park.
Council tax up only 2.9%by Guildford
CouncilGuildford Conservatives have again kept your Council tax bill increase down - with an increase of just 2.9% on the amount levied by the Borough Council - for the second year running we have kept increase of the borough element of the Council tax lower than for any other district in Surrey - and the Surrey County Council has this year kept its increase to 3.5%.
In Guildford the Liberal Democrats tried to be clever at the Council meeting deciding the council tax rate ,with an amendment for a lower rate that was firmly rejected, as the consequences would not be in the best interests of you, the council tax payers.
South East Plan
This plan is now out for consultation. Do please respond if you want to protect our environment.
Also the Local Development Framework for Guildford (another requirement imposed on us) is being consulted in the March edition of About Guildford - again DO please respond. This will affect the Borough Planning for years to come. If you would rather give your views on line, visit the Council’s website www.guildford.gov.uk
Striving to be a Fairtrade Borough
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Guildford Council has carried out its part in promoting Fairtrade in the Borough by passing the necessary resolution, and providing Fairtrade products. It now remains for those progressing this status to complete the remaining requirements . |
More housing at Slyfield?
The Borough Council is consulting on redeveloping part of the land at Slyfield. This could provide up to 1000 new homes on brownfield sites.
An initial, independent study and report on the land, near Slyfield Industrial Estate, has shown that there are options to develop it for residential and business use. There are suggestions for several options to improve the traffic flow in the area, including improvements to the A320 and a new link road from Slyfield to Clay Lane. As part of the project, Thames Water will look into the possibility of relocating its sewage treatment works at Slyfield.
No decisions have been made yet, and any proposals that might result from this would be long term. This area of brownfield land near Slyfield could provide a rare opportunity for a new community, as well as other opportunities for improving the local environment.
This is the first stage in what is likely to be a long process, during which we will consult and involve the public regularly. When the more detailed report is completed in April, giving the various choices for developing this area, we will be asking for views from the local community and others who have an interest in the area.