Letter: Council Should Take Action Against Department Store Owners

Published on: 11 May, 2025
Updated on: 11 May, 2025

The house of Fraser store on Guildford High Street closed since September 2023

From David Smith

In response to: House of Fraser’s Closure Was the Last Straw

The council should be serving a Section 215 Notice on Canada Life as the owner of the former House of Fraser premises on Guildford High Street.

A Section 215 Notice, under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, is a notice issued by a local planning authority (LPA) requiring the owner or occupier of land to remedy its condition if it adversely affects the amenity of the surrounding area.

The former House is Fraser is in the middle of a conservation area and is clearly adversely affecting the amenity of the High Street. Both the North Street and High Street elevations are in poor condition with rotten windows and peeling paintwork.

If served, a notice would, I expect, put pressure on Canada Life to drop their “offers in excess of £10 million” asking price, making it more likely to sell. I understand the property is being marketed by Green & Partners.

The Guildford Dragon NEWS requested a response from Guildford Borough Council. A spokesperson responded: “Section 215 Notices can be used as an effective tool in cases where properties have fallen into disrepair. We recognise the key role the former House of Fraser building plays in the High Street and Conservation Area, but we do not consider the site to be in a condition that would warrant a Section 215 Notice. We also acknowledge the importance of bringing this site back into use, and we will continue to work closely with the landowner.