Guildford’s New Social Housing Is Unveiled at Slyfield Green

Published on: 19 Jul, 2017
Updated on: 19 Jul, 2017

Tenants joined Guildford borough councillors and officers to celebrate the completion of 12 homes for rent at Lockside, Slyfield Green.

Pictured from left at the Lockside development: Cllr Philip Brooker; Philip O’Dwyer, the council’s director of community services; Cllr Angela Gunning for Stoke Ward: residents Toby Nichols, Mark Rogan, and Alfie Rogan; Rachel Dawson, the council’s new homes delivery officer; and Paul Southon and Mick Hale from Francis Construction Ltd.

Lockside, which took just over a year to complete, comprises eight two-bedroom and four three-bedroom houses. Guildford Borough Council acted as the developer for the scheme with Francis Construction Ltd being the main building contractor.

The council has retained ownership of the houses and they have been added to its existing housing stock.

The site on which the houses at Lockside were built was once a social club. It was in a poor condition and despite efforts made in marketing the building it could not be re-let. This enabled the council to re-use the brownfield site.

The new homes at Lockside, Slyfield Green.

The lead councillor for housing and environment Cllr Philip Brooker, said: “Lockside is a clear demonstration of how Guildford Borough Council is seeking to address the supply of houses with affordable rents. It is the third development scheme the council has completed since reinvigorating its housing development programme in 2014. So far we have delivered 77 new homes and have a number of other schemes already in the pipeline.”

In addition to the completed properties at Lockside there are 21 homes being built on a number of small infill sites, such as former garage blocks, and these should be completed by summer 2018.

The council has tenders out for two more schemes consisting of 18 flats on the site of the former Apple Tree pub in Southway at Park Barn and 12 flats on land adjacent to the fire station on Ladymead.

The latter development has been granted conditional planning permission, subject to the completion of a statement of intent. It is intended that both schemes will be constructed during 2018-2019.

The council’s press release stated that, in the longer term, it has planning permission for 160 homes on the site of Guildford Park car park. This will be a mixed-use development, which includes a new multi-storey car park and commercial space. Of the 160 units, 40% will be affordable dwellings. This scheme in planned for completion in 2021.

Responses to Guildford’s New Social Housing Is Unveiled at Slyfield Green

Jim Allen Reply

July 20, 2017 at 8:38 am

Excellent addition to the housing stock.

Although it’s interesting ‘the [previous] building could not be let..’ Yet the council is claiming we need all this new business building – but no one wants an existing building. Interesting.

Was the expected rent too high or is there simply no demand?
Lisa Wright Reply

July 20, 2017 at 4:27 pm

Great to see the council investing in social housing, well done!
Jules Cranwell Reply

July 21, 2017 at 7:07 pm

Are these homes ‘affordable’ or social housing?

The announcement is unclear.

If ‘affordable’, they could back on the open market in short order, which would not address the need for social housing.
Luke Anthony Reply

July 24, 2017 at 8:08 pm

I was curious about this site and visited Google maps. From there you can see the site under construction, if you look at Street View you can see the former building.

I can summarise my findings as follows:

The former building was life expired – in 2018 this would have needed to conform to an Energy Performance (EPC) rating of at least E – this looks highly unlikely – thus reduces demand and makes it unlettable;

The location is not near good public transport or a station making it a poor site for commercial premises.

So, in short, housing is the best option.