Waverley Borough Council is inviting residents, community groups, and businesses to help shape the future of the borough as it begins consultation on the first stage of its new Local Plan.
The Issues and Options consultation will run from Monday 27 October to Monday 8 December 2025, giving everyone the chance to comment on the key challenges and choices that will guide how Waverley grows and develops over the next 20 years.
The Local Plan will set out how and where new homes, jobs, infrastructure, and services should be provided, as well as how the council can protect and enhance Waverley’s distinctive towns, villages, wildlife habitats and countryside.
Councillor Liz Townsend, Waverley Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Planning, said:
“We are facing the most challenging housing targets this council has ever been set by Government. In a borough where around 80% of the land is protected, whether as Green Belt or National Landscape, this is no easy task.
“That’s why we are committed to involving residents as much as possible as we prepare our new Local Plan. We’ve chosen to include this additional ‘Issues and Options’ stage, even though it’s not required by law, because we believe it’s essential that local people help shape the future of Waverley from the very start.
“We know how much our residents value the borough’s distinctive character, its landscapes, wildlife, and strong communities. The Local Plan is the only statutory tool we have to plan positively for change—to make sure that any growth happens in the right places, supported by the right infrastructure, and with the least harm to what makes Waverley special.
“This Issues and Options consultation is our opportunity to work together to identify the key challenges and explore possible solutions, whether that’s around housing need and design, jobs and the economy, transport, the environment, or new community and recreation facilities. We want to hear your views and ideas before we start to draft the new Local Plan.”
Residents can take part in the consultation by visiting the council’s consultation portal at www.waverley.gov.uk/newlocalplan
If anyone would like to find out more information about the Local Plan, the Issues and Options stage, or to speak with planning officers, the council will be hosting in person drop-in sessions at leisure centres across the borough on the following dates:
Saturday 15 November, 9am – 1pm:
Farnham Leisure Centre, Dogflud Way
Godalming Leisure Centre, Broadwater Park, Summers Road
Saturday 22 November, 9am – 1pm:
Cranleigh Leisure Centre, Village Way
Haslemere Leisure Centre, King’s Road
Details of all events, and a link to the online consultation is available at www.waverley.gov.uk/newlocalplan
Printed copies of the Issues and Options document are available at the Waverley Borough Council offices and local libraries.
Cllr Liz Townsend continued:
“The choices we make now will shape Waverley up to 2043 and beyond. Whether it’s about homes, transport, the environment or our town centres, we want to hear your views and work together to plan a future that protects what we value most.”
The consultation closes on Monday 8 December 2025.
ENDS