Cookie preferences
Toggle menu

Help shape your future council websites

New websites are being developed for East Surrey Council and West Surrey Council ahead of their launch in April 2027. 

Take part in a short survey to help make sure those websites are easy to use. The survey takes just 5 to 10 minutes. 

Have your say before 5 October (opens new window)

Ash residents to vote on Neighbourhood Plan in referendum

Ash Vale shops

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. 

Neighbourhood Plans give local communities a greater say in how development is managed in their area. The Ash Neighbourhood 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. 

Cllr Julia McShane, Leader of the Council says:  

"The Ash Neighbourhood Plan was developed by the community, reflecting the views and priorities of residents, businesses and stakeholders across the area. The referendum is an important opportunity for local people to decide whether the Plan should help shape future development in Ash. 

"If approved by voters, the Neighbourhood Plan will play a key role in guiding planning decisions in the area. I would encourage all eligible residents to take the time to read the Plan and make sure they are registered to vote by Tuesday 13 October, ahead of the referendum on Thursday 29 October." 

Ash Parish Council held a consultation on the draft Neighbourhood Plan before submitting it to Guildford Borough Council. We carried out an additional consultation, with the Plan and consultation responses then assessed by an independent examiner. 

Following the examiner's recommendations, we agreed several changes to the Plan and will now hold the referendum.  

View the Plan 

Residents can view the Plan: 

  • on our Ash Neighbourhood Plan webpage 
  • at the Council offices, Millmead House, Millmead, Guildford, GU2 4BB, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. 
  • at Ash Library, Ash Street, Ash, GU12 6LF: 
    • Monday 2pm to 5pm 
    • Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm 
    • Saturday 10am to 4pm 
    • Closed Wednesday and Sunday. 

You can view a detailed map of the Ash Neighbourhood area.  

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. 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. Details of the relevant polling station will be shown on each voter's poll card. 

Vote by post: 

Residents who are not registered as a postal voter can apply online by 5pm on Wednesday 14 October. 

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 and 5pm on Thursday 29 October - 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.  

The result of the referendum is due to be published on this website on Friday 30 October.  

Read more information on the Ash Neighbourhood Plan and referendum. 

Published on: 25 September 2026