HLM Architects are working with Wates Group and Guildford Borough Council (GBC) to transform a car park in the heart of Guildford into a vibrant urban neighbourhood, delivering up to 248 new homes with a commitment to 40% affordable housing.
Anna Kiho, Head of Residential at HLM, “We are deeply committed to creating homes that evoke a sense of belonging, foster community growth, and promote social sustainability. Guildford Park Road offers an ideal opportunity to bring these values to life. Through thoughtful design, we aim to create spaces that not only enhance lives but also instil a sense of pride in residents, making these places truly feel like home. I am genuinely excited for our team to collaborate with Wates Group and Guildford Borough Council in delivering this shared vision of healthy, sustainable, and beautiful homes for the Guildford community.”
The initial proposals of the £86 million project include 98 new affordable rent and shared ownership homes. The scheme will deliver a balanced mix of one, two, and three-bedroom homes, with some townhouses. The ‘Living Street‘ serves as the vibrant people-focused heart of the masterplan, flanked by a variety of green spaces for play and gatherings, enhancing biodiversity and fostering a sense of community.
The scheme will be designed to achieve approximately a 90% reduction in carbon emissions and maximise opportunities for biodiversity net gain throughout the site, setting the scope to meet and exceed the 2025 Future Homes Standards.
Our design approach considers ‘gentle densification’, with lower building heights to respect key views and integrate the development sensitively with the local context. Employing simple, elegant designs and high-quality materials will enrich the tenure-blind scheme while ensuring efficiency, deliverability, and low energy demand. The design work already carried out has set the scope for delivery using Category 2 offsite systems as well as maximising opportunities for the use of standardised components, in collaboration with the Wates team and their supply chain. Before finalising the design and seeking planning permission, the project team will be carrying out extensive public and stakeholder consultation.
Collaborating with the Social Value team, we will also integrate art, nature, and community initiatives to give the scheme a unique identity and contribute positively to Guildford.
Lee Bushell, Regional Director, Wates Group said:
“Wates is pleased to have appointed HLM as we develop Guildford Park Road on the old car park site into a vibrant housing development with excellent access to transport and the high street for future residents. It’s clear all parties on the project have a shared vision to deliver much-needed affordable homes to an excellent standard in this prime location. Wates is head-quartered in Surrey and have a long-standing dedication to the area. Throughout the project we’ll continue to engage with the local community and are committed to creating new employment opportunities alongside other community benefits.”
Client – Wates Group & Guildford Borough Council
Contractor – Wates Construction
Architects – HLM Architects
Planning – Stantec
Civil Engineering – Lyons O’Neill
MEP – Hydrock
Sustainability – Focus Consultants
Lead Councillor for Regeneration and Planning Policy at Guildford Borough Council, Cllr Tom Hunt says:“We’re excited to move another step closer to building new homes on this brownfield site in Guildford. Our common goal is to build high quality, sustainable housing that people will be proud to call home. Our commitment for local people to have access to decent homes that they can afford is huge. By using council land we've been able to prioritise 40% for high quality affordable homes. This investment in our housing stock will add up to 98 new homes for rent and shared ownership. Together with our partners we'll be consulting widely during the next phase of work. Once we've refined the design proposals, we'll submit them for planning approval.”
