Plans Emerge For Ex-Debenhams in Second Consultation

Published on: 14 May, 2021
Updated on: 29 May, 2021

By Hugh Coakley

Please scroll to the end of this story for images of the final store closure.

A second round of consultation on St Mary’s Wharf, the former Debenhams building on Millbrook has revealed how the scheme architects see the site developing.

St Mary’s Wharf plan being presented at the latest consultation.

The information shared by developer Native Land was praised, but there was disquiet that the height of the proposed building was not disclosed, nor was the amount of affordable housing.

The short consultation period, only 11 days until May 21, was also criticised and there was dismay, with climate change in mind, that the building will not be repurposed.

St Mary’s Wharf illustrative view.

A Native Land representative said the updated proposals reflected the feedback from the public after the consultation in March 2021 (see Debenhams Faces Demolition As People Asked How They Want It Rebuilt).

Support was reported as “strong” for the “new public access to the river, places to live, shop, eat and relax, and high standards of environmental sustainability”.

Illustrative view of St Mary’s Wharf across the river, showing what the architect called an “unexpected view of Holy Trinity & St Mary’s Church in between the buildings.

John Rigg (R4GV, Holy Trinity), lead councillor for regeneration, said GBC was collaborating with developers on sites such as St Mary‘s Wharf, including on the “need for public consultation at every stage of the development”.

He added: “Our policy is that 40% of all homes built must be affordable. We encourage a high-quality, residential-led redevelopment of the site that will create much-needed new homes and jobs and open up the riverside to the public.”

Taking a personal view, James Walsh (Labour, Stoke) said he had mixed feelings about the proposals. “The bottom line is that the development is about building expensive ‘luxury’ flats in the heart of Guildford, with a café or two and small grassy area bolted on to sweeten things.

“Not a lot of imagination, to be honest, and little to spark much enthusiasm. It’s hard to see how this is going to benefit anyone currently stuck on our housing waiting list.

“I will not be happy with anything less than 40% [affordable housing], and I would want some of that to include social housing and therefore be truly affordable.”

Alistair Smith, chair of the Guildford Society, welcomed opening up the site and the riverside walk but asked for the options to be visually modelled “to examine the impact on the town” and for the pedestrian link under Millbrook to the High Street re-opened.

He also called for wind effects need to be modelled to “ensure outdoor seating areas are not wind tunnels”.

Bill Stokoe, chair of the Guildford Vision Group, cautiously welcomed the latest presentation, saying the “cart has come before the horse” as the height of the two blocks was not yet revealed and there was “still some lingering dismay, with climate change in mind, at the choice of redevelopment rather than repurposing”,

He added: “The developer’s architect has responded positively to the first round of consultation, selecting the option that potentially delivers attractive riverside, pedestrian-friendly treatments and links, public space and a departure from the ‘Debenhams wall’.”

Closure of old store completed

Debenham’s finally closed it’d doors this week after a prolonged closing down sale.

Time to reflect?

In case you couldn’t tell: “This store is now closed.”

Images of empty shelves were submitted by an anonymous reader.

Nothing left but empty shelves.

PU ‘Leather” jacket for £2 anybody? In fact, have two!

Some of the final shoppers head for the exit.

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