Chapel Street Proposal Still Unclear As Councillor Reports Lack of Consultation

Published on: 8 Aug, 2018
Updated on: 9 Aug, 2018

The style of refurbishment proposed for Chapel Street by Guildford Borough Council is still uncertain.

The council said: “More detailed design work is required…”, while a ward councillor reports that he and his colleagues were not consulted.

Hon Alderman Gordon Bridger, in a letter to The Guildford Dragon NEWS, The Council Appears To Have Changed Its Mind About Chapel Street said Chapel Street traders had told him they were informed at a meeting that a Tunsgate style refurbishment was planned.

The historic granite setts and cart slabs currently in place in Chapel Street

But this seemed to be subsequently contradicted by an email sent by a councillor, Adrian Chandler (Con, Onslow), to a constituent. Cllr Chandler wrote: “We [the council] are not proposing to remove the setts. We are proposing as with the High Street to re-lay them and the historic cart slabs.”

The smooth dressed setts in Tunsgate, with flush pavements.

Asked by The Dragon for clarification, a spokesperson for Guildford Borough Council responded: ”The concept scheme for both Chapel Street and Castle Street is part of the Tunsgate project to revive the heritage quarter. As with Tunsgate we will look to improve accessibility for anyone with restricted mobility.

“The projects are about creating a pedestrian friendly town and to promote retail. The development is part of wider investment to restore our historic town centre to encourage more visitors and shoppers to choose Guildford while also creating a positive environment for high quality retail and independents to thrive.

“More detailed design work is required before we can finalise details of Chapel Street scheme. A key design consideration will be to use materials, which are in keeping with the character of the area.

“We will restore the historic setts and reuse the original materials where possible. This is part of a wider scheme, which has been agreed and had the input from key stakeholders in the community.

Stained setts by the Tunsgate WCs said to be caused by oil drippage

But comment from one of the three Conservative Holy Trinity ward councillors has revealed that while a consultation meeting was held, the three Conservative ward councillors were not invited.

He was also concerned about the state of some of the new setts in Tunsgate just months after completion of the refurbishment project.

Cllr Geoff Davis said: “I have today been and had a look again at the new setts in Tunsgate, and am somewhat saddened by the oil etc drippage by the WCs.

“That is a very bad start, and I will enquire how this damage can be controlled.

Cllr Geoff Davis

“With regard to Chapel Street, I am personally in favour of the historical granite blocks (and cartway) being relaid in a smooth manner, without trips.

“There was apparently a public meeting on this, but us three Holy Trinity councillors knew nothing about that.”

Gavin Morgan founder of the Guildford History Forum added: “It seems positive that the council is saying it will restore the historic setts, even though it is not specifically saying how they will be used.

Gavin Morgan

“I can see the advantage of dropping the curb for accessibility but the setts by Tunsgate would be too modern in my view for a street that is historic in character. The Guildford Society should be involved in the design process, in my view.

“I have no problem with the setts by Tunsgate as the area has been given a modern look but Chapel Street is totally different. It has been knocked about a bit but there is a great opportunity to add to its period charm.

“I think the treatment of the setts is crucial. If the look is too modern then future buildings will follow suit. If the look is historic then it is likely that future development in the road will be encouraged to have a more traditional look.”

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