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Have your say on the future of local councils in Surrey

Take part in a landmark Government consultation on proposals to replace Surrey's current councils with up to three larger authorities. We support a three unitary approach - Find out more and read our consultation question guide.

Join us for a special online engagement session hosted by the Leaders of Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils on Thursday 3 July from 7pm to 8pm via Microsoft Teams. We'll explain what Local Government Reorganisation is, outline the different options being considered, and show you how to get involved. Sign up for the session (opens new window).

Landscape Character Assessments

What is a Landscape Character Assessment?

We want to preserve the features of our local landscape for the future. We use Landscape Character Assessments to:

  • find out what makes our borough's landscape so unique
  • make sure any future developments do not change or take away the area's natural features

In 2007, consultants did a Landscape Character Assessment for the borough. They found which features made the largest contributions to the character of areas in the borough. Their report provided a strategy for how to protect, conserve and enhance the land.

We used the Landscape Character Assessment report when we wrote our Local Plan. This means we have a strategy for managing:

  • what can be built in the borough
  • where developments can take place

By using the Landscape Character Assessment, we can make sure all local developments:  

  • conserve and/or enhance the characteristics of Guildford's landscape, villages, and towns
  • maintain locally valued features
  • enhance or restore any deteriorating local features
  • respect the relationship between towns, villages, and the countryside
  • conserve and/or enhance local views, landscape features and landmarks
  • stay in line with local building styles and materials
  • support our efforts to look after plants and animals living in the borough

If you're planning a development in the area, you should read our Landscape Character Assessment reports. They show you which features you'll need to help conserve, improve and/or protect.