In a statement Cllr James Walsh said:

We welcome these necessary changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and support the building of more homes in Guildford. We have a large housing list and, like every other part of the country over the last 40 years, not enough houses being built.

Our commitment to social housing and ‘brownfield first’ remains steadfast and it is essential that any new developments come with the infrastructure they need. However, the housing we need cannot be provided on brownfield sites alone, which is why the government is looking at so-called ‘greyfield’ sites.

Tough choices will need to be made about where and what we build and we hope that opposition councillors do not cave in to those with the loudest voices – who are invariably those who already have a home in the borough.

No town is immune from change and nor should they be; economic buoyancy and vibrancy depend on growth and we all have a responsibility to make sure that development is well- managed and provides the homes and infrastructure that Guildford needs.