Masterplan for Town Centre Taking Shape 

The Liberal Democrats running Woking Borough Council have agreed a pathway to implement a new Masterplan for Woking town centre, which - among other things - will limit the heights of future developments in the town centre.

At a recent meeting of the Executive, councillors supported a timetable for the implementation of a robust planning document that will introduce legal controls on future development in the area, ensuring new homes meet the needs of residents and enhance the overall appearance of the town centre.

Last year, the Council held an extensive public consultation on its draft Masterplan which would shape the future of Woking town centre.

Portfolio holder for planning and regulation, Cllr Liam Lyons said, "The national decision to overturn the local Planning Committee's decision to refuse permission for a new, extremely tall building on Crown Place has meant that some changes will have to be made to the Masterplan before it is ready for implementation. I am therefore pleased with the overwhelmingly positive feedback from the consultation process, and am confident we will end up with a proper vision for the future of the town centre that will better reflect the preferences of local residents, while delivering a range of much needed, high quality and affordable homes. Creating the town centre Masterplan as a robust legal planning documentwill end the Wild West culture that has allowed developers to build skyscrapers of almost limitless height. This was one of the key pledges of the new Liberal Democrat administration, and it is exciting to see it evolving as such a thorough planning document that will guide sensible development in the town centre for years to come".

Deputy leader, Cllr Will Forster said, "I am delighted that we are pressing ahead with the creation of a town centre Masterplan, to deliver what local people said they wanted in the recent consultation. The Conservative government's planning rules are not working for Woking. Tower blocks are being forced on Woking against local residents' and the Council's wishes. Despite new housing being built, it is expensive and out of reach of local young people who need it. The Lib Dems will continue to fight to change our broken housing and planning system. Decisions about development in Woking, should be made here in Woking."