Following various breaches of planning conditions relating to the operation of the Aldi Store on London Road in Burpham, Guildford Borough Council served Stop notices on the Company. Aldi sought to take legal action against the Council over the matter, a claim that was not entertained by the High Court as Aldi’s case was not arguable. The case was not granted leave to proceed further and was consequently thrown out by the Judge. Guildford Borough Council was entitled to make a costs claim against Aldi.

A planning Hearing will take place in June 2016 to hear Aldi’s appeals relating to amendments to various planning conditions attached to their planning consent, including time and frequency of HGV deliveries, a matter of great concern to local residents.

On 18th February 2016 voters in Burpham overwhelmingly voted in favour of the Burpham Neighbourhood Plan. 92% of voters said ‘Yes’ to the adoption of the Burpham Neighbourhood Plan, which will now proceed to full Council in April for final adoption. Turnout was 22%. Full details of the result can be found here.

The Plan’s policies, which seek to protect Burpham’s green spaces and ensure development is appropriate, are already being accorded weight in the determination of planning applications within the Ward.

This is a great result and a tribute to the hard work of the Burpham Neighbourhood Forum over the last three years. I hope it inspires other local communities to come forward and prepare plans for their own futures.

Further information on the Burpham Neighbourhood Plan can be found here.

I was pleased to attend a special service this weekend at the Church of the Holy Spirit (CHS), part of Burpham Church, which consists of CHS and St.Lukes. The Bishop of Guildford, the Rt. Revd. Andrew Watson addressed the congregation on this important anniversary. To find out more about the work of Burpham Church in the ward please click here to visit their website.