25 June 2008

Residents, businesses and other interested parties are being invited to give their views on pre-planning proposals for a site at Bedford Road in Guildford town centre which is currently used as a temporary car park. The Council is preparing a residential-led, mixed-use development scheme for the Council-owned site and would like to hear what people think of the plans.

The current proposal includes 139 apartments (35% affordable housing), new ground floor commercial accommodation (approximately 260 sq m), the refurbishment of the former Auctioneers’ building to provide retail or restaurant accommodation (250 sq m) plus appropriate car and cycle parking.

Cllr Andrew Hodges, Leader of Guildford Borough Council says: "It is important that we ask the public and local businesses their views on these proposals, so that these can be taken into consideration when any application is made. The plans have been developed following earlier consultation in 2005."

The pre-application planning consultation on the Bedford Road site starts on 2 July 2008. Members of the public can view the current proposals in two ways:

• at a public exhibition on 2 July (12.45pm to 6pm) and 3 July (12.45pm to 7.30pm) at the Baptist Church Hall, Millmead Centre, Bury Fields, Guildford. The Council’s architects and planning consultants, Colliers CRE will be available for discussion at the public exhibition on both days.
• From 4 July to 10 July at the Council offices at Millmead in Guildford.

Comments on the current proposals can be emailed to bedfordroad@collierscre.co.uk.

For further information on this pre-planning consultation please call Richard Lingard, Head of Legal Services on 01483 444042 or email bedfordroad@collierscre.co.uk.