HISTORIC_ENGLAND_Let...
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In a rare development Historic England has formally objected to the Debenhams redevelopment proposals. Historic England is the government body that looks after England's historic environment, including listing buildings, and reviews planning applications for impact on historic assets. Normally, if they see potential harm to heritage assets, they suggest design modifications. An objection indicates they have more fundamental objections.
In their 10 page letter of advice to Guildford planners Historic England state “We recommend that the application is refused consent” due to the harm that would be caused to St Mary's church (Grade I) and St Nicolas Church (Grade II*), as well as more broadly, the town centre conservation areas.
The Guildford Society considers the Historic England letter neatly summarises the historic character of Guildford, the contribution of the most important buildings, and shows how the overbearing proposal would damage this. The Society argues that Guildford is a unique town. Its character, which attracts residents and visitors, needs to be respected and enhanced by development.
It is also noted that the letter says “We do not think the harm caused by the proposal can be minimised or avoided without substantial change through a significant reduction in the heights of the buildings.
We will be very surprised if the council planning department ignored this recommendation.
Historic England also recommends properly considering repurposing the existing structure and says “the existing building could be repurposed for new commercial or ‘experience/ /recreational/entertainment’ type uses along with a modest increase in height to provide some new residential units.”
This aligns with proposals the Society made for the site which involved repurposing the existing building. The Society believes that as GBC has declared a climate emergency it needs a strategy for how it will spend its carbon budget. Redevelopment is very costly in environmental terms and wastes the significant embodied energy contained in the existing buildings
John Harrison from Guildford Residents Association, who share our concerns on the proposed development (See Letter of Objection), has summarised the association’s views on the Historic England letter.
The Society has argued that there are many opportunities for the site. The Native Land Proposals are but one solution for the site. There are many possibilities for the site which need to be properly explored in a transparent manner before drastic redevelopment is countenanced. The redeveloped site should provide public realm benefits, mixed use opportunities and housing. The development should be of a height and mass that respects the surrounding area and seeks to restore integrity to the townscape by the river.
Please explore our previous posts on this subject see links below. Documentation on the application can be found on the GBC Website
Debenhams is Closing View article
The Debenhams site is an opportunity for the Town -- we should not lose it.
Today 1-12-2020 the demise of Debenhams was annouced. This is obviously a major concern to the many Debenhams employees, particulalry as other retail jobs are not re... View article
Open up the Riverside - St Mary's Wharf ... View article
One of the possible elements of the proposed redevelopment of the Debenhams to form St Mary's Wharf is the provision of a bridge from the south of the site over to the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. This would have the effect of potentially opening... View article
Guildford Society responds to the first ... View article
The Society has now responded to the first Public Consultation by Native Land on the proposal to redevelop the Debenhams site.
We have sent Native Land, the developers, detailed answers related to the questions posed on the consultation website.&n... View article
St Marys Wharf - Second Consultation -Th... View article
Native Land, have now who have acquired the Debenhams site, have now issued an interim update on their emerging ideas. The site has been renamed as St Marys Wharf.
The update, which is available for comment until the 21st May, builds on the ... View article
Debenhams - St Mary’s Wharf Stage 3 Cons... View article
Native Land have commenced a three week Stage 3 of their consultation on the re-development of the Debenhams site. The consultation is being done electronically and can be found on the St Mary’s Wharf Site . There is a slide sh... View article
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