Neighbourhood Planning Referendum for the Ash Neighbourhood Plan Area
Residents in Ash will have the opportunity to decide whether to adopt the Ash Neighbourhood Plan when a local referendum is held on Thursday 29 October 2026.
Neighbourhood Plans give local communities a greater say in how development is managed in their area. The Ash Neighbourhood Plan (the Plan) was prepared by Ash Parish Council in consultation with residents and other local stakeholders.
If a majority of voters support the Plan in the referendum, it will become part of Guildford borough's statutory Development Plan and will be used in determining planning applications within the parish.
Ash Parish Council held a consultation on the draft Neighbourhood Plan before submitting it to Guildford Borough Council (the Council). The Council carried out an additional consultation, with the Plan and consultation responses then assessed by an independent examiner.
Following the examiner's recommendations, the Council agreed several changes to the Plan and will now hold the referendum.
View the Plan
Residents can view the plan:
- on our website
- at the Council offices, Millmead House, Millmead, Guildford, GU2 4BB: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (4.30pm Friday)
- at Ash Library, Ash Street, Ash, GU12 6LF, at the following times:
- Monday 2pm to 5pm
- Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm
- Saturday 10am to 4pm
- Closed Wednesday and Sunday
A detailed map of the Ash Neighbourhood area is available online.
Register to vote
Residents living in Ash Parish who wish to take part in the referendum must be registered to vote by Tuesday 13 October 2026. Anyone already registered does not need to apply again.
Residents can register:
- online
- by post to the Electoral Registration Officer, Guildford Borough Council, Millmead House, Millmead, Guildford, GU2 4BB.
Ways to vote
There are three ways to vote - in person, by post or by proxy.
Vote in person:
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 29 October 2026. Details of the relevant polling station will be shown on each voter's official poll card.
Vote by post:
Residents who are not registered as a postal voter can apply online by 5pm on Wednesday 14 October 2026.
Postal votes will be delivered around two weeks before polling day. If a postal vote is lost or not delivered, a replacement can be issued between Friday 23 October 2026 and 5pm on Thursday 29 October 2026 - call 01483 444115. Spoiled or damaged postal votes can be replaced earlier than this.
Vote by proxy:
Voters can apply to appoint a trusted person to vote on their behalf at their polling station. Apply for a proxy vote online by 5pm on Wednesday 21 October 2026.
The result of the referendum is due to be published on the Council website on Friday 30 October 2026.
More information on the Ash Neighbourhood Plan and referendum
Referendum Timetable
The key dates for voters and any campaign groups to note, are as follows:
Event | Deadline |
|---|---|
Notice of Referendum and Information Statement published | Monday 21 September 2026 |
Poll cards dispatched to electors via Royal Mail (2nd class post) | Wednesday 23 October 2026 |
Main issue of postal vote packs (1st class post) to those who have successfully applied to vote by post | Tuesday 6 October 2026 |
Application deadline to register to vote (for those not already registered) | 11.59pm on Tuesday 13 October 2026 |
Application deadline for postal voting or to amend an existing arrangement | 5pm on Wednesday 14 October 2026 |
Final issue of late postal vote packs (1st class post) | Friday 16 October 2026 |
Application deadlines for proxy voting or for a voter authority certificate | 5pm on Wednesday 21 October 2026 |
Polling Day | Thursday 29 October 2026 |
Result declared | Friday 30 October 2026 |
Campaign Groups
Chairpersons of any campaign group for either outcome are kindly asked to contact Electoral Services now via email: electoralservices@guildford.gov.uk so that important campaign group information can be provided.