The replacement Civic Hall - an update

Introduction and background
The Council is planning to replace the existing Civic Hall building which dates from 1962.  The building has become outdated and no longer meets current and future standards and demands. It has an entertainment licence to accommodate up to 2050 people at any one time and was last used in 2004.

Planning permission granted in 2007
In July 2007, planning permission was granted for a new Civic Hall building and the rationalisation of the Civic Hall public car park to accommodate approximately 220 car parking spaces.

February 2008 Application
The new Civic Hall building granted permission in 2007 was designed to have a similar capacity to the existing building. While this was generally achieved, it is necessary to accommodate an overall capacity of 1700 in the main auditorium in a combined standing/seated format to attract the best choice of shows.  One of the planning conditions in the 2007 planning permission set a limit of 1600: main auditorium (1500) and studio space (100). Using the main auditorium for 1700 people requires extra toilet facilities which are now included in the revised proposals.

Following the February application being agreed, the building has a similar overall capacity to the existing building and a maximum attendance of 1700 within the main auditorium.  There is no change to the size of the auditorium and an additional 1 sq.m to the overall building footprint.

The main changes between the approved July 2007 new Civic Hall and the revised scheme are:

• amended overall capacity of main auditorium adjusted to accommodate 1700 people (limited to 1600 with the studio space in the July 2007 scheme)
• provision of additional toilet facilities within an enlarged lower ground floor level
• 90 sq.m. increase in overall gross internal floorspace from 5448 sq.m. to 5538 sq.m
• general eaves level of glazed wall envelope coping raised by 0.55m
• overall maximum height increased by 14cm from 17.79m to 17.93m
• increase in cycle parking provision from 24 to 58
• amendment to shape of studio space – overall footprint increased by 1 sq.m from 140sq.m to 141 sq.m.

The Council announced the appointment of Willmott Dixon as preferred contractor for the project in April 2008.  This appointment is part of a two stage process.  The second is now underway with the conclusion of the process scheduled for later this year, following which building will commence on site.

Jim Miles
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BB

Tel: 01483 444700
Email: newcivic@guildford.gov.uk