Guildford Cathedral cuts number of homes in Stag Hill plan

Guildford Cathedral is proposing 134 private and affordable houses and flats at Stag Hill

Guildford Cathedral has reduced the number of flats and houses it wants to build on nearby land after concerns were raised at a public consultation.

A planning application for 134 homes has been submitted to Guildford Borough Council - down from 150.

Residents raised fears about the density of housing and extra traffic during the consultation last year.

Nine acres at Stag Hill will be sold by the cathedral to set up an endowment to secure its long-term future.

The eventual price paid by developer Linden Homes will depend on the granting of planning permission and house prices.

The cathedral said it had taken almost a decade to achieve the planning application submission. It had originally wanted to build 175 homes.

The cathedral, which sits at the top of Stag Hill, is selling the surrounding land it owns for housing

The Grade II-listed Surrey cathedral was built between 1937 and 1965 but has never had a fund for maintenance and repairs and operates with an annual £100,000 deficit.

As well as working on plans to sell the land, the cathedral has been running a separate £7m appeal to pay for urgent repairs and improvements including restoration of the organ, better disabled access and new lighting and sound systems.

"Guildford Cathedral is an iconic landmark and sits high and isolated on Stag Hill," said Dean Dianna Gwilliams.

"This planning application will help us address our isolation as well as providing a much needed endowment which will secure the future of the cathedral for generations to come.

"We are extremely grateful for the time local people have given to help us get to this stage."

Guildford Borough Council said it had received the application but was awaiting further information from the cathedral and Linden Homes.