An underutilised area of Guildford could get a major upgrade (Picture: Getty Images)
A commuter town in Surrey has revealed plans to turn an underutilised site into a new development with 248 homes.
Guildford Borough Council announced plans for the Guildford Park Road car park, situated approximately a ten-minute walk from Guildford railway station and the University of Surrey campus.
It is earmarked for an £86 million project in partnership with family-run property developer Wates Group, and the development aims to provide housing while revitalising a strategically important location in Guildford.
The proposals include a mixture of housing types: four apartment blocks ranging from four to six storeys, 15 townhouses of two or three storeys, and family homes set either side of a landscaped central ‘Living Street’.
This area is planned as a pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly space designed to encourage social interaction and environmental enhancement.
Of the total homes, 40% will be affordable housing, managed directly by the council.
These 98 homes will cater to affordable rent and shared ownership schemes, complementing the council’s existing management of approximately 5,000 homes in the borough.
Lee Bushell, regional managing director for Wates Residential, expressed optimism about the potential impact: ‘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.’
248 new homes will be built in the area (Picture: Wates)
The site is currently a car park (Picture: Wates)
Extensive public consultation has been undertaken, receiving over 1,250 responses.
The council says that most respondents expressed support for the development and feedback was reviewed before submitting the planning application.
If planning permission is granted, construction is expected to commence by summer 2026, with the project targeted for completion by late 2028.
Property prices in Guildford
According to Rightmove, house prices in Guildford have an overall average of £545,810 over the last year.
The majority of these were semi-detached, selling for an average price of £565,395. Flats sold for an average of £307,560, with terraced properties fetching £461,138.
House prices in Guildford over the last year were 6% down on the previous year and 8% down on the 2022 peak of £594,304.
Guildford is cheaper than London, but remains an expensive area to live (Picture: Getty Images)
Prices in Guildford are consdierably higher than the UK average, but lower than London, where Rightmove says average property prices currently stand at £658,016.
The commuter town is therefore an appealing option for those working in the capital who want to pay less for a property, with direct trains from the town centre to London Waterloo taking just half an hour and departing every 15 minutes.
What locals say about Guildford
Locals on Reddit have shared the things they enjoy about living in Guildford, with many highlighting its transport connections and access to the countryside.
In the subreddit, r/Surrey, one user said: ‘Guildford is lovely and the first choice of fairly large town/small city if I had to make the choice.
‘Busy high street but pedestrianised a lot of the time, stunning countryside literally right outside, central London really close, good transport in general, even close to the coast if you have a car’.
Another wrote: ‘Guildford Plaza is in a great location. 5-10 minutes from the train station, theatre, cinema, and shops, but also about fifteen minutes from a chapel built in the 1300s, Lewis Carroll’s grave, and a hill with a lovely view of the town.
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‘I live in the area and love its mix of access to the countryside, history, and a global city. It’s as close to ‘the best of both worlds’ as you could ask for.’
However, others highlighted its high prices compared to other parts of the country.
One user said: ‘Guildford is great but expensive…You could also look at Frimley, Camberley or Farnborough as they are a lot cheaper and a short train ride into Guildford.’
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And another added of the town: ‘Lovely, safe and expensive. If the latter doesn’t put you off you’ll have a great time!’
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Arrow MORE: Plans for London’s ‘worst’ borough to get 1,300-home new neighbourhood
Arrow MORE: The UK’s cheapest area to buy a home — where properties cost £45,000
Arrow MORE: The UK’s ‘worst commuter town’ to undergo £136,000,000 upgrade
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