Wates has submitted proposals for an £86 million project to be delivered in partnership with Guildford Borough Council.
The proposed development is set to transform the underutilised Guildford Park Road car park into much-needed new homes. With the potential to deliver 248 new high-quality homes, the design includes 40 per cent affordable council housing and appealing public spaces that celebrate the town’s unique character by creating a place fit for the future.
The design team has carefully crafted the proposals to include family homes in a mix of dwelling types. Four apartment buildings (four to six storeys) as well as fifteen Townhouses (two to three storeys) are set on either side of a central ‘Living Street’ which will prioritise pedestrians and cyclists in a landscaped social space.
Before submitting the plans, the team held consultation events across Guildford, including at The Rotunda on North Street, at the Student Union on the University of Surrey campus, and Grace Church, near the site. Receiving over 1,250 responses from the community, feedback has been positive, with the majority of respondents supporting the proposals, and the project team has reviewed this feedback before submitting the planning application.
Alongside the vital homes, the project will have a lasting legacy for the community. Central to the plans is an extensive £11 million social value programme, delivered by Wates, that will support many initiatives in the local community, including creating 40 new local jobs and providing training and upskilling opportunities. It will support all age groups through community initiatives such as the Green Schools Project, a graffiti clean-up project, 200 hours of volunteering in the community, and 39 work experience placements. More details are available on the project website.
Leader of the Council and lead councillor for housing, Councillor Julia McShane, said:
“I’m pleased that the Council has been able to act on our long-held ambition to invest in underutilised, council-owned land and redevelop this site. It’s good to see plans for this strategic site progressing to the planning stage.
“The proposals include much-needed new homes for Guildford, with 40 per cent of these owned and managed by the Council, for those who need them most. The project will truly transform the area for local communities.”
Lee Bushell, regional managing director, Wates Residential, said:
“Wates are proud to have developed a Social Value Action Plan that makes these proposals so valuable for Guildford. With the plan worth up to £11 million, this development won’t just deliver housing, it will contribute to creating more sustainable, prosperous and inclusive borough, in line with the key priorities of Guildford Borough Council and create a lasting impact for the community.”
“We are delighted to have partnered with Guildford Borough Council on this project and look forward to delivering these much-needed new homes to a town we as a Group have such a long-established history with.”
Following the extensive consultation and development of the proposals, the planning application has now been submitted. These plans will follow the formal application process and will be reviewed at a future Planning Committee. To learn more about the submitted plans, please visit www.guildfordparkroad.com
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