Most of the new development will be directed to previously developed land in the town, district and local centres, which offers the best access to a range of services and facilities. The scale of development that will be encouraged in these centres will reflect their respective functions and nature. The hierarchy of centres is defined in Table 2. The impact of development will be fully assessed to ensure it does not adversely impact on sensitive environmental designations such as the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Areas, Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), the Green Belt and other important built and natural features such as Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Ancient Monuments. It is a clear objective of the Core Strategy to protect and/or enhance these assets. Development will be located to take full account of the relative risk of flooding in the Borough.

Woking Town Centre will be the primary focus of sustainable growth to maintain its status as an economic hub with a flourishing, diverse and innovative economy and a transport hub which provides transport services, links and communication linking people to jobs, services and facilities. The town centre is designated as a centre to undergo significant change and the provision of a range of shops, cultural facilities, jobs and housing to meet locally identified needs and the needs of modern businesses will be encouraged. Main town centre uses as defined in the NPPF, will be acceptable in principle, subject to the requirements of the policies of the Core Strategy.

In the town centre, well designed, high density development that could include tall buildings and which enhances its image will be encouraged, but without compromising on its character and appearance and that of nearby areas.

Development located in the District, Local and Neighbourhood Centres to provide housing, jobs and convenient access to everyday shops, services and local community facilities will also be encouraged. This must be well designed to enhance their unique and distinctive characters and attractiveness. Uses that will provide convenient access to the everyday needs of the community, including jobs and housing will be encouraged at the District and Local Centres but at a scale that will not compromise their character and/or functionality

Whilst the preference is for the location of most new development to be in the main centres, infill development and/or redevelopment of previously developed land in the built-up area of the Borough will be acceptable in principle, subject to a full assessment of impacts where relevant and appropriate mitigation measures to make the proposal acceptable. The Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) and the Employment Land Review (ELR) provide the evidence of the existence of such sites.

The ward of Maybury and Sheerwater and Lakeview Estate of Goldsworth Park are identified as Priority Places for specific actions to address pockets of deprivation in the areas.

For more information please see the Core Strategy