From underused car park to thriving community – our plans for Guildford Park Road
From underused car park to thriving community – our plans for Guildford Park Road
Our Residential business has submitted a planning application for a joint £86 million project that is set to transform the underutilised Guildford Park Road car park into much-needed new homes.
The proposed development, to be delivered in partnership with Guildford Borough Council, comprises 248 new high-quality homes, 40% of which will be affordable council housing, and new public spaces that celebrate the town’s unique character by creating a place fit for the future.
The proposals have been carefully crafted by the design team to include family homes in a mix of dwelling types. Four apartment buildings (four to six storeys) as well as fifteen townhouses (two to three storeys) are set on either side of a central ‘Living Street’ which will prioritise pedestrians and cyclists in a landscaped social space.
Before submitting the plans, the team held consultation events across Guildford and received over 1,250 responses from the community. Feedback has been positive with the majority of respondents supporting the proposals, and the project team reviewed this feedback before submitting the planning application.
Alongside the vital homes, the project will have a lasting legacy for the community. Central to the plans is an extensive £11 million social value programme which will support a number of initiatives in the local community, including creating 40 new local jobs and providing training and upskilling opportunities. It will support all age groups through community initiatives such as the Green Schools Project, graffiti clean-up project, 200 hours volunteering in the community and 39 work experience placements.
I’m pleased that the Council has been able to act on our long-held ambition to invest in underutilised, council-owned land and redevelop this site. It’s good to see plans for this strategic site progressing to the planning stage.
“The proposals include much-needed new homes for Guildford, with 40% of these owned and managed by the Council, for those who need them most. The project will truly transform the area for local communities.”
Councillor Julia McShane
Leader of the Council and Lead Councillor for Housing
Wates are proud to have developed a Social Value Action Plan that makes these proposals so valuable for Guildford. With the plan worth up to £11 million, this development won’t just deliver housing, it will contribute to creating a more sustainable, prosperous and inclusive borough, in line with the key priorities of Guildford Borough Council and create a lasting impact for the community.
“We are delighted to have partnered with Guildford Borough Council on this project and look forward to delivering these much-needed new homes to a town we, as a Group, have such a long-established history with.”
Lee Bushell
Regional Managing Director, Wates Residential
Following the extensive consultation and development of the proposals, the planning application has now been submitted. These plans will follow the formal application process and will be reviewed at a future Planning Committee. We’re hopeful construction will begin by summer 2026, with completion forecast towards the end of 2028.
To learn more about the submitted plans, please visit www.guildfordparkroad.com.
