Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Economic Regeneration and a masterplan required?

With increasing demands for affordable housing and changing patterns in employment, retail and travel, Guildford needs resilience and a growth plan to defend against decline and economic seepage to competitor towns. Guildford especially needs to deliver brownfield homes to resist further incursions into unsustainable greenbelt sites, relying on outdated infrastructure. The town centre can offer many opportunities for delivering homes and meeting other needs. This early stage sets the direction and principles on which a future Guildford Town Centre Masterplan can be developed. The Town Centre as a masterplan study zone is very significant and further study zones will develop over time. It will help deliver a highly desirable, joined up riverside town centre for the future, one which follows the principles of the ‘15-minute neighbourhood’. Living, working, shopping, leisure and cultural pursuits, education, green space and public realm, walking, cycling and public transport can all thrive together in a ‘green’ environment which positively addresses the climate change emergency. It envisages a future where we will be living in a more sustainable manner with more and better local facilities and some fundamental changes to our lifestyles, such as use of the car, work/life balance and living healthier, more active and fulfilling lives.

Why has regeneration not happened in the past?

Deliverability is key to any plans for regeneration. Identifying a vision, recognising the reality of the constraints to development and making regeneration fundable is key to both the planning and delivery stages. Planning policy enabling development by the private sector without significant leadership from the town itself will not deliver high quality regeneration. 

What is the Guildford Masterplan?

The Masterplan for Guildford, which was known as the Guildford Economic Regeneration Plan has been renamed as ‘Shaping Guildford’s Future – a plan for our town.’ This is not just a set of plans but a programme of proposed interventions and implementations. The plan provides for opening riverside, cycle and pedestrian routes, public spaces, greening and other community assets in a series of phased development zones. Regeneration is a desire within the current local plan, but policy is subject to addressing a wide range of infrastructure and use tests.

What is the scope of ‘Shaping Guildford’s Future – a plan for our town.’

In its first stage ‘Shaping Guildford’s Future – a plan for our town’ is focused on asking questions and identifying major issues and existing constraints. Subsequently, by defining potential options and solutions for constraints within the town centre, we will identify a programme for delivery that is fundable and will deliver regeneration. In the next stages Guildford Borough Council (GBC) will embark on an extensive programme of consultation with members, stakeholders and key interest groups.

What is the purpose of the spatial masterplan?

The spatial masterplan identifies areas of potential development aligned with the objectives of the economic regeneration plan. It will identify capacity for homes and business space in a high-quality environment, along with strategic infrastructure constraints. A holistic plan has provision for opening-up the riverside, cycle routes, public realm and other community gains when part of an adopted plan. This process of Engagement does not constitute the process of Public Consultation that will be delivered as part of any Statutory Planning Application process that follows; rather this allows us all to inform and listen and feedback into the high level masterplan in the interests of all.

What is the Council hoping to achieve?

By engaging with people living and working in Guildford including businesses, strategic partners and organisations, the Council hopes this ambitious development will highlight the areas assets by tackling traffic congestion, flooding and connectivity issues. The aim is to open-up the riverside, create new public spaces and make the town centre a more attractive place to live, work and visit.

Is there the demand for new homes, business space, social and other uses?

Guildford has a critical shortage of homes as well as challenging government targets. Affordability is very poor in the town. We need to deliver quality sustainable homes within quality surroundings supporting the town centre survival. Economic research is being undertaken to determine the drivers for both employment space and the requirements for attracting employees. Core to these needs is housing in all forms and the provision of an attractive town centre that provides amenity for the community. Recognising the impact of internet retailing and Covid 19 on retailing and the High Street, the introduction of new neighbourhoods close by will add vitality and activity.

Does the Guildford Economic Regeneration Programme cover the historic core and retail area?

This Programme covers the issues and opportunities for regeneration along the riverside corridor through the established town centre. A separate report will consider commissioning a study of the historic core with its own funding.

Who will be developing the area?

The Council is working with an expert team of planners, architects and communication consultants with a track record of delivering high-quality, large scale regeneration projects on time and within budget. We anticipate individual sites will be brought forward for development by their owners. The sites being brought forward by owners are coordinated with but not part of the current masterplan. Guildford Borough Council has Freehold ownership to most of the zonal development sites and in the main is strongly placed to bring these forward with investor development partners. However, where it is in the interests of the Council, direct development will be considered

How do regeneration proposals fit with current planning policy?

Regeneration is a desire within the current local plan but is subject to addressing a wide range of infrastructure and use tests. It is the proposal that the Guildford Economic Regeneration Programme works with the GBC Planning Policy team to develop solutions that overcome the planning challenges and obstacles, so that the next update of the Local Plan is supportive of town centre regeneration. 

Has anything been decided yet?

Only to explore and investigate the possibilities which the Council has a duty to fulfil. Local, national and global changes mean it can no longer be complacent if it’s going to be ready to face the challenges of the future.

What’s the expected timescale for the development?

Whilst the Council owns some of the land, there are large plots owned by other landowners. At this early stage we are setting a draft framework to enable developments to move forward to gain formal planning policy status.

How will GBC engage with all those interested in regeneration of the town centre?

Beyond the initial proving study which aims to identify a deliverable plan there will be full engagement with all stakeholders. It is planned that GBC will undertake wide-ranging consultation, to include Councillors, the community, infrastructure stakeholders, statutory undertakers, the County Council, property owners and special interest groups. This is a huge exercise which will continue through to at least Easter 2022. Specific topic forums will be established for the exchange of ideas, needs and concerns and in due course to review and comment upon developing strategies and solutions. We are engaging with all relevant stakeholders by holding workshops, webinars and other online meetings. Face-to-face meetings and town centre stalls are also planned. All feedback and ideas will be considered and worked into the evolving masterplan.