The plans would see 234 homes built in the west of the town, just north of Milford
Additional homes could be built on land east of Godalming(Image: Google)
Plans to build over 200 homes on land west of Godalming have been rejected by the planning authority but a new Government policy means that is not the end of the story.
Developers Ashill Land Ltd had its application to build up to 234 homes on land just east of Eashing Lane in Godalming rejected at the end of May.
Despite this, due to new regulations from the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), plans submitted for more than 200 homes can still be given approval subject to certain conditions.
The current nature of proposals would see the construction of up to 234 homes, alongside associated parking, green space and a play area. The development would also see new vehicular and pedestrian access routes on surrounding roads.
Ashill Land’s proposals are for a green belt site roughly highlighted in yellow(Image: Google)
The site, which is in the green belt, is based on land east of Eashing Lane and west of Ock Way. This largely falls under Guildford Borough Council’s administrative area, despite being considered part of Godalming and Milford. Because of the site’s location, Waverley Borough Council is also being consulted.
On May 27, Guildford Borough Council‘s planning committee voted to reject the planning application for the development, claiming that it would result in “harmful urban sprawl” which would be in conflict with the purposes of Green Belt designation.
The plans had been recommended for approval by the planning officer.
Despite rejection from the planning committee, the application has been referred to the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for review.
This is because of new Government regulations, which came into place last month. The regulations require that decisions made by a planning committee be reviewed should they vote to refuse housing developments of over 200 homes, that have been previously recommended for approval by senior planning officers.
While the proposed site is very close to Godalming and Milford, it is a part of Guildford Borough Council’s administrative area(Image: Chris McKeon/Surrey Advertiser)
The Government department may then call the application for consideration, which could lead to being given approval for construction.
Prior to Guildford Borough Council’s decision to reject the proposals, the planning application was subject to a public consultation that received dozens of comments from residents of the area.
Developers argued that the land should be re-designated as grey belt. This can be done by planning authority if it is assessed that the land does not strongly contribute to the core purposes of protected Green Belt land.
Residents expressed a strong disagreement with this, with one writing a detailed objection letter in December 2025. He said: “The Site provides a clear visual and spatial buffer between Godalming and surrounding settlements, and its openness contributes materially to the rural character of the area.
“It therefore strongly fulfils multiple Green Belt purposes.
In 2019, Cala Homes had plans approved to build 262 homes on land between New Way and Aarons Hill. This project has since begun construction(Image: Ashill)
“Treating this Site as grey belt would establish a dangerous and unjustified precedent. The Government has confirmed that further clarification of grey belt policy is to be consulted upon later this year or early next year, specifically to address uncertainty in decision-making.
“This forthcoming clarification is a material consideration and reinforces the need for caution in applying an evolving policy concept to this Site.”
Concern was also raised by residents in relation to the additional traffic and stress on services such a development could bring to the Godalming and Milford areas.
Particular attention was focused on concerns of potential “overdevelopment” of these areas. Milford is a village of just over 6,000 residents a short drive west of Godalming.
In 2019, Cala Homes had plans approved to build 262 homes on land between New Way and Aarons Hill. This around a ten minute walk away from Ashill Land’s proposed site.
The development off New Way was opposed by residents at the time who felt there had been “cavalier disregard” to the impact of such plans. This development, known as Ockford Park, is nearing completion with homes advertised online.
Cala Home is also said to be planning additional homes on the site, which would bring the total on that site up to 400. Some residents have speculated in their objection comments that Ashill Land’s plans would be the ‘second phase’ of this wider development.
In terms of Ashill Land’s 234-home proposals, Guildford Borough Council’s decision to reject the plans has been referred to the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
The Ministry will now review the decision, and decide whether to override it and give the proposals the green light.