Policy information sourced from the Guildford Local Plan: Strategy and Sites

E6: The leisure and visitor experience

We will continue to develop a high quality visitor experience to increase the contribution that tourism, arts, cultural heritage and sport make to our quality of life and social and cultural well-being. To achieve this we will support:

  • the provision of new and enhanced leisure and visitor attractions, including arts and cultural facilities, in accordance with the sequential test outlined in the NPPF for main town centre uses
  • the provision of new and improved accommodation and conference facilities for tourist and business visitors in accordance with the sequential test
  • sustainable rural tourism and leisure developments that benefit businesses, communities and visitors in rural areas as long as they respect the size, character and function of their setting and comply with national green belt policy. This support extends to the re-use of suitable rural buildings for visitor accommodation and other small-scale rural development proposing less than 100 sq m of additional floorspace
  • proposals which promote greater use of the River Wey as a leisure and recreational resource without harming local biodiversity or water quality.

To protect the vitality and viability of our town, district and local centres, proposals for new leisure space which exceed 500 sq m and are located outside these areas, as designated on the Policies Map, will be required to submit an impact assessment. All new and enhanced leisure and visitor attractions and facilities will be required to preserve the borough’s special heritage and natural features.

The loss of existing visitor, leisure and cultural attractions, including arts and entertainment facilities, hotels and indoor sports venues, will be strongly resisted unless replacement facilities of an equivalent or better standard and provision are proposed in a location equally accessible to the facility’s current catchment area. Alternatively, robust evidence must be provided that demonstrates that the facility causes significant detriment to the amenity of the locality or that:

  • there is no longer a need for the existing facility or an alternative leisure or visitor use; and
  • the existing use is unviable and its retention has been fully explored (including active and comprehensive marketing the facility for its existing and alternative leisure or visitor use for a continued period of at least 18 months prior to submission of a planning application).

For more information please see the Local Plan