The Solum scheme at Guildford Station emphasises the inappropriateness of high buildings in Guildford Centre.
The first part of the Solum redevelopment has now been completed as the north block of dwellings on the station car park. This block is of undistinguished design and is easily visible, notably on Madrid Road.
The second part is now appearing and as many predicted is totally out of scale with its surroundings and excessive in height. The lift tower that has been built can now be seen dwarfing the Bishop's Wharf and other buildings in Walnut Tree Close and other parts of the town. When seen from the Mount and other high points around the Town is can be seen dominating this area of the Town, where most buildings are 2-4 floors high, because of its height. This lift tower is 9 storeys but this is lower than the sections of the development that are going to be built to the south, replacing the current station entrance.
This small section of the development will soon be integrated into the extensively long “wall” of buildings in this development, stretching 300 metres North to South, all at this or similar height. This huge wall of buildings will scythe through Guildford’s townscape and be overpowering to Walnut Tree Close. It will definitely dominate the town in views from many points within the town and from the surrounding hills as shown in the photographs.
This massive and insensitive development is just a starter and is going to be followed by both North Street, and St Mary's Wharf (Debenhams redevelopment) parts of which are still higher than this lift tower. Guildford's townscape, views and skyline will be changed for ever. Althoughslightly lower we also have the Plaza Development underconstruction on the Portsmouth Road.
These three excessively large and high developments are surely perfect examples of how to destroy a Town which is loved for its history, historic town centre, heritage buildings but most of all the quality of its streets, scale, skylines, views and townscape.
This is compelling evidence of the need for a Guildford planning policy now, to control Heights of new buildings.
Our Interactive Map of Guildford of Key Sites shows brief details and pictures of most of the major developments underway in Guildford Borough. See icons Below to access details.
Guildford Station (Solum Development) View article
Residential, Revised Station Entrance, Multi Storey Car Park
Type and Status
LPSS2019 Policy A6
Consented in Construction
Scale
445 Dwelling
123 DpHA
8-9 Storeys
128 Sq/M Commercial Space
Architect
Rolfe Judd
Comments... View article
North Street Overview View article
Dwellings, Retail, Revised Bus Station
Type & Status
LPSS 2019 Policy A5
Two Applications have been made.
Application 22/P/01336 to develop part of the site refused (See GBC Refusal Letter Below), this has now been appealed with chang... View article
St Mary's Wharf ex Debenhams View article
185 Dwellings
30,000 Sq.m Commercial
Type and Status
Planning Application Approved - Section 106 agreement still being negotiated.
Windfall Site
No building started as yet
Scale
6-8 Storeys
Architect
Squires
Comment
A... View article
Plaza Site View article
Housing
Type & Status
Under Construction
LPSS 2019 Policy A1
Consented 21/P/01811
Scale:
0.38HA
Four buildings
4 and 6 storeys
301 Dwellings (792 DpHA)
Architect:
Coffey Architects
Comment:
A site that has... View article
Guildford Society Aims and Objectives View article
Although the aims and objectives of the Guildford Society have not changed, it is appropriate periodically to highlight areas the Society is concentrating on.
Reminder of our Aims and Objectives
We are the Guildford Civic Society... View article
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