Letter: North Street Apartments Will Not Suit Requirements for Families

Published on: 10 Sep, 2022
Updated on: 10 Sep, 2022

From: David Smith

In response to: GBC Should Commission a Survey on the Issue of Building Height

Some people seem to think that all of our housing needs can be met beyond delivering apartments in Guildford town centre.

Of course, these types of homes will be popular with a younger demographic but a young family with children will be looking to have a garden. A downsizer is unlikely to be attracted to a tower with views of the bus station.

So regardless of building on the town’s urban sites, there will always be demand for 2, 3, and 4-bed houses as people look to move up the property ladder.

Sadly, given the land values and viability (we have seen this at both the North Street and Debenhams site) you can’t build this type of housing in the centre and so the only option is green belt or demolition of larger houses in the suburbs.

Statistics show that 7 in 10 buyers buy/move within 20 miles of their existing home, meaning a lot of these new homes will cater for residents within the borough changing position on the ladder.

With such a shortage of second-hand homes on the market and with a growing desire for energy-efficient homes, demand for new build is likely to increase.

So building higher or capping at six stories is unlikely to impact demand for green belt sites – it certainly doesn’t change the type of property I’m next looking to buy.

Responses to Letter: North Street Apartments Will Not Suit Requirements for Families

J Holt Reply

September 11, 2022 at 2:40 pm

How many 3 to 4-bedroom houses would be released for families if the university provided accommodation for all its students?

Guildford would also become a better place if this stock of housing was occupied by long-term members of the community.

At the moment, these houses are little better than slums with absentee landlords forcing 5 to 7-bedrooms into 3 to 4-bedroom houses where student tenants may not be given the tools to take little care of any gardens.

This sticks particularly in the craw as no council tax or business rates are paid despite the use of council facilities.

The university should use its land to provide student accommodation before it builds luxury 4-5 bedroom mansions.