Traffic fears for proposed 1,800 home development

Members of a community association say they are "genuinely worried" about an increase in traffic if plans to build 1,800 homes near Guildford go ahead.

The proposed development for Gosden Hill, close to the suburb of Burpham, also includes shops, healthcare facilities and park and ride parking spaces, as well as a primary school and a secondary school.

In response to a public consultation held this month, the Burpham Community Association said it feared the development could mean 3,500 extra cars on surrounding London Road and New Inn Lane.

A spokesperson for Martin Grant Homes, which put forward the scheme, said it had been “carefully developing” it to “create the best possible project".

A planning application is expected to be submitted to Guildford Borough Council in 2025.

Sue Hackman, chair of the association, told BBC Radio Surrey that members were not opposed to building the new houses but were concerned about the impact of extra traffic on the area.

“We hope some of them [the homes] will be suitable for young people just starting out on their housing ladder,” she said.

“I think it’s entirely about infrastructure. We are just genuinely worried about the impact it will have… because our traffic here is already quite bad.

"If you come here at peak times, for example, when schools let out or when people are coming home from work, it really is a very difficult situation.”

Ms Hackman said they were keen to hear about any proposed solutions.

A Martin Grant Homes spokesperson said: “Gosden Hill is a site identified by Guildford Borough Council in its local plan to deliver much-needed homes and facilities for the area.

"Over the past years, we have been carefully developing our ideas – working with the council – to create the best possible project.

“Over the autumn, we held an extensive public consultation on our plans, where we invited views and comments on how we can create a high-quality, sustainable, green and connected community for Guildford."

They added: "We have appreciated the engagement and suggestions from the community and wider stakeholders."

Guildford Borough Council has been asked for a comment.

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