Development plans are prepared following a statutory process of public consultation and debate. They are written in line with national and regional planning policy.

Development plans provide the primary means of balancing the conflict between the need for development and the need to protect the natural and built environment. They aim to provide a firm basis for fair and consistent decision making in respect of planning applications.

In Guildford there are two main statutory plans. These are 

• The Surrey Structure Plan 1994, which sets out the broad strategic policies for the county.
• The Guildford Borough Local Plan 2003, which sets out detailed development policies for the borough.