NEW BID TO CREATE FRIARY QUARTER

A new planning application has been submitted to rejuvenate a large brownfield site in Guildford.

The bid is being made by St Edward, a joint venture between The Berkeley Group and M&G Real Estate, for the land on North Street and is the latest attempt to gain approval after decades of failed attempts to build on the site.

Guildford Borough Council and St Edward exchanged contracts to develop the site in March this year.

The application for The Friary Quarter development would see 473 homes constructed in buildings ranging from four to 14 floors.

The ground floors would feature a mix of commercial and community spaces including a medical centre.

Sustainability would be a key focus of the new development with electric vehicle charging points and an electric car club.

The designs also designate four landscaped public areas and include a new town square.

North Street would be pedestrianised as part of the scheme, removing more than 300 vehicles per peak hour.

Jack Nicholson, Land and Development Director at St Edward, said: “After nearly three years of design development, and extensive stakeholder and community engagement, St Edward is extremely proud of the final scheme which will transform this long derelict site into a contemporary new neighbourhood.”

Guildford Borough Council is expected to consider the plans this month and if approved construction could begin in the next summer.