The £86m scheme that will deliver 248 new homes in the heart of Guildford, achieves planning permission.
Delivered in partnership with Guildford Borough Council and Wates, the development represents a significant step forward in transforming an underused town-centre site into a vibrant new neighbourhood for the Guildford community.
The scheme will deliver 248 high-quality homes on the existing Guildford Park Road car park site, helping to address the town’s growing need for housing. Importantly, around 40% of the homes will be council-owned, providing much-needed affordable housing for local residents. This commitment reflects a shared ambition between HLM, Wates and Guildford Borough Council to create inclusive, accessible places that support a diverse range of community needs.
The design vision focuses on creating a sustainable, people-centred neighbourhood that integrates seamlessly with the surrounding urban fabric. The development includes four mid-rise residential buildings alongside a terrace of 15 contemporary townhouses, arranged around a network of landscaped communal spaces designed to support everyday living and social interaction.
At the heart of the masterplan is a new pedestrian-friendly Living Street. This central route has been carefully designed to prioritise walking and cycling, creating a landscaped social space where people can move safely and comfortably through the neighbourhood. By reducing reliance on cars and encouraging active travel, the Living Street will help foster a healthier, more connected environment for residents and visitors alike.
High-quality landscaping will play a key role in shaping the public realm, with natural planting, seating areas and spaces for informal play creating opportunities for people to gather, relax and spend time outdoors. This approach reflects HLM’s commitment to designing places that support wellbeing, strengthen local identity and build long-term resilience within communities.
Community engagement has been central to the project from the outset. Engagement events were hosted at The Rotunda on North Street, the Students’ Union at the University of Surrey and Grace Church near the site. More than 1,250 responses were received, with the majority expressing support for the proposals. Feedback from these consultations played an important role in shaping the final design.
Beyond delivering new homes, the project will also create a lasting positive legacy through an £11 million social value programme led by Wates. This will include the creation of 40 local jobs with training and upskilling opportunities, 39 work experience placements, and 200 hours of community volunteering. Additional initiatives such as the Green Schools Project and a local graffiti clean-up programme will further support communities across Guildford.
Securing planning permission for Guildford Park Road is a fantastic milestone for the whole team. Working in partnership with Wates and Guildford Borough Council, we’ve developed a design that puts people first, delivering high-quality homes and generous green spaces that will encourage connection, wellbeing and sustainable living. It’s exciting to see this vision for a vibrant new neighbourhood in Guildford move a step closer to reality.
Construction is expected to begin in summer 2026, with completion anticipated in late 2028. The development will play an important role in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future for the town, transforming an underused site into a thriving place to live.
