Planning success to deliver up to 200 homes in Ash, Guildford Borough

Lichfields is delighted to have helped secure planning permission, through a successful planning appeal, for an outline development of up to 200 homes on Grey Belt land at Shortlands Farm, Ash, within Guildford Borough Council.

The scheme, promoted by Gleeson Land, will deliver up to 200 homes, including 50% affordable homes, on a sustainable site within walking distance of Ash railway station. In allowing the appeal, the Planning Inspector found the site to be grey belt land and concluded that the scheme’s public benefits were of a “very high order”, citing its contribution to meeting housing needs and delivering significant economic benefits.

Lichfields provided multi-disciplinary support throughout the project, including planning, heritage, archaeology, economic benefits, community engagement, and environmental impact assessment services. Daniel Lampard was the planning witness at the recent Public Inquiry.

Unusually, whilst the appeal against non-determination addressed the four putative reasons for refusal, discussions continued between the appellant and the Council through the Inquiry process culminating in all matters being agreed between them by the time of the closing submissions.

Lichfields is proud to have supported Gleeson Land and the wider team, helping to secure a scheme that will make a valuable contribution to local housing supply.