Work to Recommence on Former Debenham’s Site – But Guildford Society Unhappy

Published on: 15 Oct, 2026
Updated on: 15 Oct, 2026

The buildings that will replace Guildford Debenhams according to CGI illustrations in the developers proposal. It will include affordable housing, new public gardens, a riverside walk and places to eat and shop. A planning application has been made for an additional floor on the northern block. Squire and Partners

By Martin Giles

Work on redeveloping the former Debenhams site on Millbrook “will commence in the coming weeks” according to developers Native Land.

Groundwork on the site, now called “St Mary’s Wharf”, ceased in the spring and there has been mounting curiosity in Guildford about the hiatus and what would happen next.

An application for an additional storey to be added to the new building is due to be considered by GBC’s Planning Committee.

The St Mary’s Wharf site as it has looked since February, with only the groundwork completed.

Native Land has appointed contractor Bennett Construction to deliver the principal construction phase of the 200,000 sq ft, 180-home development, on the bank of the River Wey in Guildford town centre.

According to a press statement issued by Native Land: “Bennett Construction will take over management of the 1.7-acre site to commence preparatory work immediately, with the main phase of construction work beginning in the coming weeks.”

Native Land secured planning consent for St Mary’s Wharf in 2022 and has since advanced the project through demolition, basement and ground-floor infrastructure, flood-protection works and environmental improvements.

To progress the project, Native Land has secured £132 million development financing comprising a £100 million senior debt facility from NatWest and £32 million of “mezzanine finance” [a hybrid of debt and equity that sits between senior bank debt and common equity] from the National Housing Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Homes England.

A Native Land spokesperson said: “By combining government-backed capital with committed private finance, the funding will accelerate housing delivery across tenures, unlock private investment and support sustainable, inclusive, place- based regeneration at this strategically important town-centre site.”

And Robert Harris, Development Director at Native Land, added: “We have already completed demolition, major groundworks, flood protection and environmental improvements at St Mary’s Wharf.

“With the financing now complete, we are moving directly into the next stage of the continuing transformation of this important rare riverside site.

“The scheme will provide 180 sustainable apartments alongside shops, restaurants, new public gardens and a continuous public riverside walk.

“It will bring 1.7 acres of brownfield land back into active use, restore public access to the River Wey and create new walking and cycling connections between the river and High Street.

“In doing so, it will support local employment and supply chains, increase footfall and strengthen Guildford’s town-centre economy.”

Planning permission was granted by GBC following a height reduction of the original proposal but GBC has confirmed that an application has been received for another storey to be added to the approved plan.

Cllr Fiona White

Cllr Fiona White (Lib Dem, Ash Wharf), lead councillor for Planning said: “There is a current planning application seeking permission for an additional storey at St Mary’s Wharf.

“As the Local Planning Authority, we have a responsibility to consider all planning applications fairly and objectively taking account of economic, social and environmental issues. For that reason, we cannot comment on the detail of a live application or pre-empt its outcome.”

Former R4GV councillor John Rigg, who championed the scheme between 2019 and 2023, was pleased to hear the announcement.

John Rigg

He said: “Guildford has been given a rare piece of genuinely good news: Native Land has secured £132 million in financing to take forward the St Mary’s Wharf development.

“That funding does more than unlock a construction project. It brings the transformation of one of the town’s most prominent and neglected sites significantly closer.

“St Mary’s Wharf now has the opportunity to become more than a replacement for a derelict department store. It can become a new gateway to Guildford, reconnecting the town with its river and showing what can be achieved when a positive vision is matched by determination and investment.”

Alistair Smith, chair of the Guildford Society.

But Alistair Smith, chair of the Guildford Society was unenthusiastic. He said: “As a consented scheme it is no surprise that funding has been obtained to proceed.

“The Society continues to believe that the development is a poor solution to the opportunities the site offered. The site is one of the best in the South East of England and the consented scheme is an over-development and has an unimaginative design. It is a real missed opportunity.”

He was particularly critical of the application to increase the building height: “Native Land, the developer, have submitted an application to increase the height of the Northern Block. The Society has submitted a strong objection to this proposal, particularly as the agreed scheme had been reduced in height after consultation with GBC Planning during the consenting process.

“We consider any increase in height of what is already an overlarge and damaging scheme should be avoided. Historic England have opposed the scheme due to its impact on Listed Buildings, and it is notable that they have submitted an objection letter related to the latest proposal to increase height.

“A concern is, if height increase is agreed, will the developers come back for further storeys? GBC recently agreed a Tall Buildings Policy in a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for the town centre and it should carry great weight in making the decision.

“The increase in dwellings due to the extra floor make minimal contribution to Guildford’s housing numbers. It should be noted that these large Guildford schemes are being heavily marketed in the Far East, so potentially will not contribute to solving Guildford’s housing issues, at least in the short term.”