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

H1: Homes for all

Housing mix and standards

  • New residential development is required to deliver a wide choice of homes to meet a range of accommodation needs as set out in the latest Strategic Housing Market Assessment. New development should provide a mix of housing tenures, types and sizes appropriate to the site size, characteristics and location.
  • Development that results in the net loss of existing housing (C2 use class or C3 use class accommodation or traveller accommodation) will not be permitted. Significant reductions from the approximate housing numbers or reductions from the specific traveller accommodation provision and housing uses as set out in the site allocations will be resisted.
  • All new residential development must conform to the nationally described space standards as set out by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

Accessible homes

  • On residential development sites of 25 homes or more, 10% of new homes will be required to meet Building Regulations M4 (2) category 2 standard (to be ‘accessible and adaptable dwellings’), and 5% of new homes will be required to meet Building Regulations M4 (3) category 3 (‘wheelchair user dwellings’), or any subsequent legislation on making homes accessible and adaptable.

Specialist accommodation

  • The provision of well-designed specialist forms of accommodation in appropriate sustainable locations is encouraged, taking into account local housing needs.

Student accommodation

  • Purpose built student accommodation for full time higher education Guildford based students will be encouraged on campus locations where appropriate. About 60 per cent of full time Guildford based University of Surrey students are expected to be provided with accommodation on campus.

Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople pitches and plots

  • In addition to site allocations within this Local Plan, accommodation for Gypsy, Traveller or Travelling Showpeople (whether they meet the Planning Policy for Traveller Sites definition or not) should be provided on development sites of 500 homes or more whilst there remains an identified need in our borough. For 500 to 999 homes two pitches or plots should be provided, for 1,000 to 1,499 homes four pitches or plots, for 1,500 to 1,999 homes six pitches or plots and for 2,000 or more homes eight pitches or plots.

Houses in multiple occupation

  • Proposals for houses in multiple occupation that require planning permission will be supported where the balance of housing types and character of the immediate locality would not be adversely affected and there is sufficient amenity space available.

Self-build and custom housebuilding

  • Self-build and custom housebuilding will be supported if the proposed development has no adverse effect on the local character. On development sites of 100 homes or more 5% of the total homes shall be available for sale as self-build and custom housebuilding plots whilst there is an identified need. For phased development, selfbuild plots must be delivered and serviced at the earliest stage possible. Self-build and custom housebuilding plots are encouraged on smaller residential development sites.
  • Self-build plots made available must respond to the sizes identified on the register. Plots must be made available and priced and marketed appropriately as self-build or custom build plots for at least 18 months.

For more information please see the Local Plan