Another Planning Applications Committee meeting attended last night. I seem to only attend when required to fight for something, ah well, ever thus I guess.

Anyway, my objection at the meeting related to the impact of the proposed development of 93-95 Guildford Road on highway safety, traffic speeds and pedestrian access.

I’m not against the new properties, investment in new buildings is positive. However, this proposed development is in the heart of Lightwater village center. It concerns the re-development of the two properties opposite the War Memorial and the junction of All Saints Road with Guildford Road, and the Memorial Gardens.

Now, I’m absolutely confident that I’ll not need to describe in great detail the importance of managing traffic and pedestrian access at this part of the village centre. The advantages of the current kerb build-out are that it successfully slows traffic entering the centre, affords an acceptable place to cross the road for pedestrians, adds a respectful space around the War Memorial, successfully manages traffic flows at the road junction, and finally creates a small, but valuable, area for parking. All good stuff.

This proposal to remove the kerb build-out and replace it with a road table, I believe, fails planning policy policy on Transport and Infrastructure, which states,

“The Highway layout will be required to demonstrate that a satisfactory means of access to the site can be gained, without causing an increase in danger to raod users and pedestrians.”

My suggestions are to vary any Section 278  agreement to create either a lozenge-shaped island at the junction, and/or to create a pedestrian-activated traffic light-controlled crossing further along Guildford Road towards the Post Office.

It seems to me that here’s a wonderful opportunity to connect the War Memorial with the Memorial Gardens and to create a more pleasing civic space. This proposal misses that opportunity, big time.