There are a number of reasons why we are updating the Plan. First, the law requires us to review our plan regularly, to check that it is compliant with current legislation and with the Local Plan of our Local Authority (currently Woking Borough Council). But more importantly, since the Plan was written new challenges have emerged. We need to strengthen some of the existing policies and add new ones in order to meet those challenges.
One of the important new areas to consider is Nature and Biodiversity. We would like to add a number of new policies focussed on protecting our landscape, our natural spaces and our wildlife.
Two other key areas of increasing importance are Traffic Management and Parking. Whilst we cannot control what happens outside our Forum area, the developments at Wisley Airfield, West Hall and Botanical Place will increase traffic volumes through Pyrford. We are considering adding policies to mitigate the impact of excess traffic and dangerous on-street parking.
Whilst it is probably fair to say that no-one wants a major housing development to be built in Pyrford, there is pressure from central government to build more homes. If permission is ever given to build more houses locally, we will need to have policies in our Plan which would seek to ensure that they are the right houses, in the right place, at the right density. Any major development would need to identify significant benefits for the community and include any necessary infrastructure improvements.
Those are just a few examples of why we need to improve our Plan.