Mixed-use redevelopment at Land bounded by the Friary Centre Bus Station, North Street, Leapale Road

“Application under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to vary Condition 2 (approved drawings) of planning permission 24/P/00701 for a mixed-use redevelopment on a site bounded by North Street, Leapale Road and including Commercial Road and part of Woodbridge Road, Guildford comprising:”

“Demolition of existing buildings; • A new bus interchange with new access junction arrangement, new canopy, waiting facilities, a hard and soft landscaped pedestrian public area and hardstanding; • Erection of buildings ranging up to 12 storeys [Officer Note: refer to 25/N/00067] comprising the following uses: residential dwellings with associated car parking, hard and soft landscaped communal areas, ancillary cycle storage, residents gym, concierge and management office…”

“The application site is an assembly of a large number of plots and buildings which are located to the north of North Street in Guildford town centre. The site has an area of 2.69 hectares – its western boundary is formed of The Friary shopping centre, its eastern boundary by Leapale Road, the southern boundary by North Street and the northern boundary is situated at the junction of Commercial Road, Woodbridge Road and Leapale Road.”

“The northern end of the site is around the junction of Commercial Road, Woodbridge Road, Leapale Road and Leapale Lane. This contains Dominion House which would be demolished as part of the development. The eastern boundary of the site runs along Leapale Road.”

“Planning permission was granted in December 2023 (application 23/P/01211) for a mixed-use redevelopment on the site comprising: • demolition of existing buildings; • a new bus interchange with new access junction arrangement, new canopy, waiting facilities, a hard and soft landscaped pedestrian public area and hardstanding; • erection of buildings ranging from 4 to 11 storeys comprising the following uses: residential dwellings with associated car parking, hard and soft…”

“Planning permission for the first S.73 application was granted in April 2025. Whilst the description of development remained consistent with that of the December 2023 permission (parent permission 23/P/01211), variations to that original permission were allowed in the form of amendments to;”

“County Highway Authority, Surrey County Council: The Authority raise no concerns with the changes proposed under this S.73 application. The changes, including a small increase in the number of dwellings, will have no material impact on the safety and operation of the local highway network. The Authority recommends that the relevant conditions from permission 24/P/00701 are updated to reflect the proposed changes to the development via this S.73 application.”

“Environmental Health: No objection. Conditions relating to noise control, and sound insulation/compliance with BS8233 need to be reiterated along with any other outstanding conditions from the original application as requested by Environmental Protection. Thames Water: No objection subject to conditions and informatives.”

“Guildford Society: The Society objects to the Application. • No detail of a revised Ventilation Strategy is provided [Officer Note: Proposals do not act to amend the Overall Ventilation Strategy which is secured via Condition.”

“Removal of the ventilation areas from windows allows for more glazed area. This raises the issue of solar gain into the properties. • The balcony areas at the edges of the facades have been reduced. This reduces the articulation in the façade • There needs to be more information on the type of facility that the NHS are proposing [Officer Note: Detail is secured via S106]. • The North Street Scheme suffers from Block E having limited architectural merit.”

“The Chair then moved the motion to approve application 25-P-00956, with delegated authority granted to the Assistant Director of Planning to grant planning permission subject to any minor changes in the wording of conditions and a Deed of Variation being entered into to secure the contributions and legal agreements under approved application 23/P/01211 and 24/P/00701 amended only insofar as they relate to the conditions and reasons as set out in the Officer’s report.”

“RESOLVED: That application 25-P-00956 be approved, with delegated authority granted to the Assistant Director of Planning to grant planning permission subject to any minor changes in the wording of conditions and a Deed of Variation being entered into to secure the contributions and legal agreements under approved RECORDED VOTE LIST”