Residents in Ash are being invited to take part in a new, focused consultation on the Ash Neighbourhood Plan, following recent changes to national legislation that affect how such plans must be assessed.
Ash Parish Council originally produced the Neighbourhood Plan and submitted it to Guildford Borough Council in November 2025. The plan, which aims to guide future development and land use in the parish, was subject to a public consultation between January and March 2026. Feedback gathered during that period has already been passed to an independent examiner, who began formally reviewing the plan in April 2026.
However, shortly after the consultation closed, changes were introduced to the legislation governing neighbourhood planning. As a result, the independent examiner has requested that a further consultation be carried out. This additional stage will focus specifically on whether the Ash Neighbourhood Plan complies with the updated legal requirements.
What Has Changed?
The revised legislation introduces new expectations that neighbourhood plans must meet in order to pass the examination. These include:
- Ensuring plans contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation
- Taking into account the Surrey Local Nature Recovery Strategy
- Avoiding proposals that would lead to less housing development than set out in the wider development plan, including the Local Plan
These updates form part of the “basic conditions” that all neighbourhood plans must satisfy before they can proceed to referendum and eventual adoption.
Consultation Details
The new consultation period will run for just over two weeks:
- Start: Noon on Monday 11 May 2026
- End: Noon on Tuesday 26 May 2026
Residents, businesses, and stakeholders are encouraged to take part via Guildford Borough Council’s consultation portal:
guildford.inconsult.uk/ANPE26/consultationHome
The consultation is deliberately limited in scope. Respondents are asked to consider only whether the Ash Neighbourhood Plan complies with the updated legal requirements. There is no need to repeat comments submitted during the earlier consultation, as these have already been taken into account by the examiner.
Examiner’s Role
The independent examiner plays a crucial role in assessing whether the plan meets all statutory requirements. This includes reviewing existing feedback and considering the plan against the updated legal framework.
A key document for participants is the examiner’s letter, particularly Annex 1, which sets out the legislative changes in detail. Residents are strongly encouraged to review this before submitting comments to ensure responses are relevant to the scope of the consultation.
How to Respond
Comments can be submitted in several ways:
- Through the online consultation form (available during the consultation period)
- By email Planningpolicy@guildford.gov.uk
- By post using the contact details provided on the consultation webpage (Guildford Borough Council (Planning Policy), Millmead House, Millmead, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 4BB).
It is important to note that anonymous responses will not be accepted. While names will be published alongside comments after the consultation, personal contact details such as email and postal addresses will remain confidential.
Why This Matters
Neighbourhood plans are an important tool for shaping the future of local communities. They influence decisions on housing, green spaces, infrastructure, and environmental protection. Ensuring the Ash Neighbourhood Plan aligns with the latest legal requirements is essential for it to move forward successfully.
This additional consultation offers residents a final opportunity to help ensure the plan reflects both national policy changes and local priorities.