Debenhams' Site critical to Guildford's Future?
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Debenhams’ Site critical to Guildford’s Future?
Debenhams - Possible Sale?
Current information is that the shop is due to The site could be totally redeveloped, with
close early in 2021. The building on the site has dwellings (Flats) and commercial space. A
provoked a variety of reactions over the years; total redevelopment would need to be tall to be
the exterior could do with an upgrade at the a viable scheme, 8-10 stories has been
very least. mentioned. As the site is deep there would
The M&G the owners of the site are understood need to be careful design to ensure sunlight
to be selling the site rather than develop it reached flats. But does this solution provide a
themselves. It is estimated a buyer would have gain to the citizens of Guildford?
to pay circa £20-25M for the site.
Re-purposing the building as it stands, has
The Crossroads of the Town? considerable merit. This involves reusing the
The site sits on the old ‘Cross Road’ of the strong frame of the building, recladding, and
town, by the Town Bridge influencing the lower reshaping, and adapting it for a new series of
High Street, the River Wey and Millmead. The flexible uses. Re-purposing also allows
site is approx. 0.45HA and the current building Guildford to show its green and sustainability
has a floor area of circa 21,000Sq/M. aspirations.
How the site is used in will have a major impact A Cultural Corridor?
on the Town Centre. The site is not mentioned
The Society proposes that serious
in the Local Plan adopted in 2019. The recently
agreed Guildford Economic Regeneration consideration is given to re-purposing the site
Programme Masterplan Strategy (Masterplan) to form a multi-purpose attraction to provide a
does identify the site as a key site for focus for the town.
consideration. The Masterplan will take at This would provide an important element in a
least 2 plus years to complete, plans for the ‘Cultural Corridor’ running from the Museum -
Debenhams site may come forward far more Yvonne Arnaud – Community Arts Centre
quickly. (Debenhams) - Electric Theatre – Guildford
The society believes the site is a unique Academy of Music.
opportunity to revitalise the Town Centre. What might the Building be used for?
There needs to be a debate now about what In 2005 several organisations proposed a
the population of Guildford would like to see
Community Arts Centre in a new building on
happen to the site.
the Portsmouth Road Car Park. The proposal
Options was for a centre, that although having an
The site could be turned to be a park beside artistic theme, also supported a range of other
the Wey, also providing a measure of Flood activities. It was aimed at being a major
Protection. The cost of the site makes this a attraction, and resource, for citizens of the
very unlikely option. borough and visitors.
The Debenhams Building is larger than the The Debenhams site could provide circa 40
proposed building in 2005, potentially the generously sized apartments with a potential
building could provide flexible accommodation value of £25m approx., covering the basic
for: acquisition costs for the building.
• A gym and cycle hire station There is potential funding available e.g. the
• Small Retail Outlets council had agreement for funding to support
• Restaurant and Café the recently scrapped scheme to revise the
• Multipurpose exhibition space – used for Museum.
visiting exhibitions, loans from other The Covid-19 crisis does pose serious
museums etc. problems in determining viability and funding
• Interactive Space for the Games industry over the short term. Viability may be improved
• Arts - exhibition spaces, practice, and as an effect of the Covid-19 crisis could be the
lecture rooms increased use of smaller town centres like
• Library (in 2005 the SCC library service Guildford as small hub offices and commercial
were not averse to moving the Library). premises are set up to avoid commuting into
• Commercial Space - shared flexible cities.
office/commercial space, and meeting Re-purposing the building is substantially
rooms. cheaper than redevelopment and quicker.
• Dwellings added to the upper floors and Next Steps?
roof; replacing the unused areas and plant
rooms on the roof. Being able to present ideas to whoever buys
the site is important; just getting a block of flats
The Rebuild or offices built with limited public use does not
A possible scenario would: do justice to the Town or the Site. We also
• Retain the existing Garage and Loading need to avoid the site being derelict for years –
Bay. another North Street.
• Possibly retain the current Escalator Stack The Society has proposed one view of what a
• Re-open the Lower Ground Floor re-purposed building could provide. We
• Utilise the existing retail space would like to hear your thoughts so please let
• Revise the roof space us know at:
• Re-clad the Building and restructure the sitecritical@guildfordsociety.org.uk
Riverside Façade to provide a better We would also like to hear views from local
pedestrian environment. professionals in the Arts, Commerce,
• Better flood prevention including a Architecture.
‘signature’ Foot Bridge from the building If there is a positive response, the Society will
for access at time of flooding. consider a forum to discuss with those
• Re-open and widen the pedestrian interested.
underpass from the High Street to link the
The site is unlikely to be acquired without some
Site, Riverside, Town Bridge and High
indication from the council on its attitude to
Street effectively.
change of use. We will be seeking to discover
• Heating and Ventilation to make a Carbon
what the council are considering.
Neutral building
Is it Viable? The Debenhams site, if subject to
Serious analysis is required on this aspect, but redevelopment, is an opportunity for
it is worth highlighting. the Town we should not lose it.
The 2005 proposals showed that a Community
Centre development could be a viable
See Diagrams below for potential Use of Floors and
proposition including building a new building.
Access to the BuildingPotential Access to Site Re-open pedestrian underpass in a widened and more pedestrian friendly form Add Foot Access by Bridge to Millmead and Mill Lane
N
Possible Layout for Site
Exhibition
Performance
Space
Gym
Bike Hire Retail
Bike Park
B Public
Space on G
Car Park River
Restuarant
Deliveries
& Car
Park
Flexible
Commerc
Space for
ial
Arts
Space
Activities
1 2
Roof
Terrace
Housing
Housing
3 Space 4
over
Roof
TerraceYou can also read
