Change of Use Proposed for Landmark Guildford Building

Published on: 8 Dec, 2025
Updated on: 9 Dec, 2025

Turret House, 1 Jenner Road, is a landmark building as Guildford town centre is entered from the Epsom Road.

By Emily Dalton

local democracy reporter

An office boardroom could be transformed into a nursery play room for up to 80 children if plans submitted to Guildford Borough Council are approved.

Castle Daycare & Preschool Ltd is hoping to change the use of 1A Jenner Road in Guildford from office space to a nursery and to carry out a series of alterations to the outside to make the building suitable for childcare. The company said it prides itself on “exceptional standards of care and education”.

Another view showing the pedestrian entrance to Turret House.

The applicant says the location is “centrally located” with strong local demand for childcare, and argues the development would create a valuable community facility as well as new jobs.

If given the green light, the nursery would be run by the applicant, which already operates three other day care centres in the area. These include Markenfield Nursery, South Hill Nursery and Shamley Green Nursery, which are all rated as “Good” by Ofsted.

Under the proposals, the nursery would provide places for around 80 children aged from six weeks to five years, and is expected to employ about 25 staff. With over 440 sq metres of floor space, the office area will, it is said, provide plenty of space for all the youngsters.

Core opening hours would be 8am to 6pm on weekdays, with a breakfast club from 7.30am and an evening club until 6.30pm. The nursery would be closed at weekends, on bank holidays and between Christmas and New Year.

Outdoor play would be limited to up to 20 children at any one time, with use of the outside area restricted to 9am–11.30am and 1pm–5pm, Monday to Friday.

Changes to the building would include new acoustic timber fencing, a retractable canopy over the play area, a metal guarding rail and gate at the front entrance to separate pedestrians and vehicles, and a new play enclosure at the rear. Currently, the site has eight car parking spaces but this would be reduced to six under the new scheme.

Residents can comment on the scheme until January 2, with a decision due by Guildford Borough Council on January 28.

An earlier application for a change of use for Turret House to be used as an office building for the Oakleaf Charity was approved in January this year (2025) but it is understood that the charity did not move into the building.