In an answer to an Oral Parliamentary Question, asked by Guildford MP Anne Milton, the Government Minister for Communities and Local Government has accepted that the sustainability appraisal process in relation to Guildford was ‘flawed’.  This throws into question the legitimacy of the South East Plan’s strategy to build on the Green Belt in Guildford.

The South East Plan seeks to impose 2,000 buildings on the Merrow-Burpham Green Belt. Guildford Borough Council has successfully taken the Government to judicial review to challenge the plans.

Anne said: “It is great news for the people of Guildford that - in a rare moment of contrition - the Government has admitted that mistakes have been made when looking at the sustainability of building on the Green Belt in Guildford. We must now keep up the pressure on the Government to scrap these top-down plans. Local housing decisions should be made locally, not decided by unelected and undemocratic quangos.”

Read the full Parliamentary exchange
 

(pictured: the under-threat Green Belt at Gosden Hill Farm)

29th January 2010

Tags: Green Belt South East Plan Planning