New Guildford Local Plan
The Council is preparing a new Guildford Local Plan in line with Government's new plan-making system.
Gateway 1: self-assessment of readiness for Local Plan preparation
Following a 'getting ready' period, which included a scoping consultation, publication of our Local Plan timetable and notice, we have completed a self-assessment of readiness for Local Plan preparation. We published this on 30 October 2026 and it confirms our readiness to progress to the formal 'plan-making' stage.
Scoping Consultation
We undertook a scoping consultation from 2 September to 15 October 2026.
Visit the consultations page (opens new window).
Timetable and Notice of Intention to Commence Plan Preparation
On 5 June 2026 we published a new timetable and have given formal notice of our intention to commence Guildford Local Plan preparation.
Our timetable sets out key milestones including the timing of consultations to be undertaken in preparing our new Local Plan.
View the timetable.
View the Notice of intention to commence Guildford Local Plan preparation (PDF, 641 KB).
Early Engagement
In January and February 2026, ahead of formal commencement of the new plan-making process, we undertook a series of early engagement workshops to:
- share information about Government's new plan-making system
- seek views on the challenges and opportunities the new Plan should address
- seek help in beginning to shape a distinctive local vision for the Plan
A report was produced which pulls together the findings from the workshops along with a separate appendix with the council's full presentation along with the findings by workshop and by breakout group.