Guildford: Public inquiry for housing plans near cathedral

The plans would have seen land next to Guildford Cathedral built on

A public inquiry will consider an appeal after plans to build homes next to Guildford Cathedral were rejected.

The proposal by the cathedral and developer Vivid Homes were blocked by Guildford Borough Council's planning committee in April 2023.

The development of 124 homes, 54 of which would have been affordable, was planned for undeveloped woodland.

The inquiry - led by an planning inspector - opens on 5 March and is due to last 10 days.

The proposals attracted 286 letters of objection, raising issues such as over development, a lack of detail on a wider masterplan, and harm to the local heritage.

The development would have included 54 affordable homes

The cathedral previously said it was selling land surrounding its Grade II listed site to create an endowment fund to pay for maintenance costs.

However, this would only cover costs for some of the work for the next five years, the planning committee previously heard.

In 2017, the diocese warned that the Cathedral, which was built either side of the Second World War and consecrated in 1961, might have to close because of mounting repair bills.

Officers at the council recommended refusal of the plans because of the "visual prominence of the apartment blocks" and the impact on the "green collar" forming part of the "landmark silhouette".

The inspector will consider all the information on the appeal before making a decision.

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