Letter: The North Street Development Will Detract from Guildford’s Character

Published on: 24 Dec, 2022
Updated on: 24 Dec, 2022

The model of the proposed North Street Regeneration, “The Friary Quarter”.

From: Brian Pearson

In response to: North Street Developer Cuts Tallest Building Height By One Storey

I have seen the plans for the proposed North Street development and the height of the proposed buildings for flats is way too high, it will detract from the character of the town.

I believe Guildford residents pride themselves on having a “typically English” town center, with all its heritage and history, and they want to keep the proportions of any development in line with existing buildings, so people can look out of their newly built flats and look around Guildford town center.

I am all in favour of the redevelopment of North Street, but the density of this development looks too great. I would suggest fewer blocks being built and at a maximum height of 10 stories, maybe staggering the top floors to soften the skyline.

Responses to Letter: The North Street Development Will Detract from Guildford’s Character

Mark Stamp Reply

December 24, 2022 at 3:37 pm

Guildford residents may have pride in a “typically English” town center but they are the ones who can afford to live here. We have a shortage of housing and I would much rather this development than building on green space such as around the cathedral.

The only issue I have is the lack of affordable and social housing in the development which will further entrench inequality in the borough.
Valerie Thompson Reply

December 25, 2022 at 10:29 pm

It’s such an ugly design. Surely something more in keeping with Guildford’s historical centre could have been proposed.
Mark Stamp Reply

December 26, 2022 at 12:53 pm

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Whilst I agree it is not outstanding I wouldn’t call it ugly. This development is adjoining architectural “gems” such as The Friary, the police station and Leapale Road car park.
Pete Knight Reply

December 27, 2022 at 7:08 pm

This will be another scheme like Debenhams which will be considered by GBC’s Planning Committee on Wednesday, January 11. It is recommended for approval.

It’s looking like the current council is approving these major schemes at any cost to look favourable at the 2023 elections.

Let’s see what happens.
Bibhas Neogi Reply

January 4, 2023 at 10:38 am

SCC and the bus operators objected to the proposed entry and exit and alterations to the way traffic is re-routed after stopping up of Commercial Road and Woodbridge Road from North Street end. It would be reassuring to know what different arrangements, if any, for the entry to the bus station was agreed.

Cllr John Rigg [R4GV, Holy Trinity] mentioned that two independent consultants had examined the proposals and were content with the alterations proposed by St Edwards. Have their reports been made public? I may have missed their publication, but if not, should they not be available before the Planning Committee meeting on January 11?

I believe there are better solutions in keeping Leapale Road one-way, restricting North Street two-way down to the Leapale Road junction with a turn-around facility and making Chertsey Street one-way to York Road. North Street would be one-way extended to Leapale Road junction and maybe restricted to traffic between 10 am to 4 pm like the High Street.

Keeping Leapale Road one-way removes the traffic exiting onto Onslow Street and facilitates buses entering the bus station and exiting it more conveniently.

Other alterations to Onslow Street northbound would facilitate entry of buses turning right before the roundabout towards the bus station since only buses would exit on to Onslow Street.

Two-way cycle lanes could be incorporated in Leapale Road and Chertsey Street and cycle lanes designed to enter and exit Leapale Road/Woodbridge Road. The cycle lane could exit on to Onslow Street southbound that would be reduced to two lanes since bus lane would no longer be required.

If the above proposals sound better than those St Edwards are proposing, maybe these should be considered before the planning meeting takes place?