Welcome Thank you for taking the time to view our proposals for the redevelopment of Guildford station. We have now submitted a planning application and would like to hear what you think of our plans. The proposed development of the Guildford station site has undergone an extensive period of review. We have considered in detail the feedback we have received from earlier consultations and made significant changes to the plans. Our aim is to deliver substantial station improvements and an enhanced public realm funded by a residential led redevelopment of this prominent town centre brownfield site. Your views are important to us. Please do complete the feedback form that is available. Images of existing station If you have any questions concerning the proposals then please feel free to speak with our team who are present here today.
Background stablished in July 2008, Solum is a partnership between Network Rail and Kier Property, formed to attract private investment into the rail network. The Solum approach is to create value through mixed use developments which generate funding to provide station and environmental improvements to the travelling public. We have completed projects at Christchurch, psom and Walthamstow. In addition, we have secured planning permission for major station projects at Redhill, Haywards Heath and Twickenham, the first of which will start on site shortly. Almost eight million people travel through Guildford station every year, up from six million just ten years ago. As demand continues to grow and new rail services are added to the network, we will provide a new and larger station that can comfortably accommodate the number of passengers in twenty years time. Images of other Solum schemes The area around Guildford Station is in need of investment and identified by the Council as a development opportunity to help reduce development pressure on greenbelt sites within the Borough. There have been previous attempts to redevelop the area around the station but these have failed. Our plans bring forward a realistic, viable and deliverable development proposal.
The story so far In 2011 Solum announced its intention to redevelop Guildford Station. The following year, we launched initial plans. We have actively sought the views of commuters and local residents. Our original intention was to develop both the east and west sides of Guildford station which are currently used for car parking and a railway maintenance depot. The plans proposed a new station, a multi storey car park, a new supermarket, hotels and new homes. xisting Railway Maintenance Depot Development Site What people told us? During our earlier consultations: 76% supported the redevelopment of the Guildford station site. There was strong support for the proposed station improvements. People wanted better pedestrian links to the town centre. There was strong support for station parking to be located closer to the station. There was less support for the proposed commercial uses within the scheme. A significant number of people expressed concern about the amount of road traffic that would be generated by the supermarket. Our partner, Network Rail, informed us that they need to keep the railway maintenance depot at this location for the present time and is reviewing whether any of this land will be needed in future to help increase rail capacity. We have therefore reviewed our plans and made changes. We have tried to respond to the points that local people have suggested.
20 Guildford Station How our scheme has evolved In response to the feedback we have received from local people, we have made significant changes to our plans. The major changes include: Focussing development on the eastern (town) side of the station. Network Rail is currently reviewing whether the western part will be needed in the future to increase rail capacity - we hope this area will come forward for development following this review. We have dropped our plans for a supermarket. We have dropped our plans for two new hotels. We have re-arranged our plans for the public square. We are providing railway car parking closer to the station. We are providing a brand new station building. These plans respond to public concerns about traffic generation and will provide more space for pedestrians, taxis, buses and other vehicles. ROAD 4 TON ROAD 9 5 8 13 GUILDFORD PARK ROAD 23 33 43 TCBs 2 xisting Maintenance Depot to be retained - to come forward for development at a later date 4 FB 2a 10 Shelter Sloping masonry 26 31 U MP.25 SB Def Ward Bdy STATION IW Shelter 2 Shelter Shelter Posts Residential Areas 26 24 15 The Mews 31 27 32 to 43 4 to 9 42.8m s Foxhanger Court l Sub Sta Ranger House TCBs Station Station & Public Square 35.4m 3 to 5 The Billings 2 Multi-storey FB Bishops Wharf 2 33.8m Bishops Wharf 1 to 3 Towing Path 1 to 6 House WALNUT TR CLOS 23 9 4 16 & 19 18 3 2 31.2m 1 to 8 River Wey Navigation 10 to 14 17 20 16 to 23 21 29 WY IW 11 to 16 l Sub Sta 6 10 7 18 Crown Court & Bridge House Subway l Sub St Cinem 36.4m 38.5m What are we keeping? New Station Square New Station ing closer to station New homes What are we not keeping? Supermarket Hotels What s new? A bigger station square Bigger and better station facilities More space for pedestrians and public transport
A new station square The centrepiece of the development will be a new station square, providing a high quality and landscaped public space offering an attractive and safe environment for station users and pedestrians. It will create: A large and attractive public square befitting the gateway to Guildford. A better station operation and approach. Reduced congestion and simpler traffic management. Re-configured vehicular access for improved drop off, taxi and rail replacement buses. A modern, secure multi-storey car park retaining the current number of spaces with improved, safer pedestrian access and reduced average walk time from car to platforms. Better facilities for cyclists. Key Residential Café/Retail/Leisure Ticket Hall Multi-Storey Secure Cycle Storage Station iew Walnut Tree Close Ground level plan Key Residential Café/Retail/Leisure Station Offices Multi-Storey Station iew Walnut Tree Close Upper level plan
Investing in the station The redevelopment of the station area provides an opportunity to improve the new station, offering: An improved passenger experience and customer journey. A modern, attractive, station building benefitting a major regional centre. A new and larger main ticket hall designed to accommodate the expected passenger use for the next 25 years and beyond. A station entrance as the main focus of an improved public forecourt. An improved and modern retail and café offer. We are working closely with South West Trains and Network Rail to deliver these improvements. Development Proposals - Guildford Station Improvements Development Proposals Guildford Station Improvements New station square 6 6 6 6 5 2 3 4 1 Station improvements 1. 1. Creation of of New New Station Station Plaza Plaza 2. 2. New Station and and Railway Railway Buildings Buildings 3. Replacement British Transport Police and Train operating Company Offices 4. 4. Replacement Car car Parking Parking ( MSCP) ( MSCP) including including dedicated dedicated commuter commuter parking parking 5. 5. New and improved improved cycle cycle storage storage 6. to Rail Facilities and Platforms - 2m contribution to SWT for refurbishment of station waiting areas and facilities, upgrade of canopies 6. Improvement to Rail Facilities and Platforms - contribution to SWT for etc. refurbishment of station waiting areas and facilities, upgrade of canopies Guildford Guildford Station Station Redevelopment Redevelopment
Better pedestrian connections The majority of people who use Guildford Station travel on foot, by cycle and bus. Therefore the main focus of the proposals is to: Provide a better pedestrian environment immediately outside of the station through the creation of a new station square. Improve the accessibility and environment of the cycle facilities. Provide an easily accessible route to and from the bus services which stop in the station forecourt. Create a Wayfinding strategy including signs to key destinations in the town centre. Key Station ntrance Pedestrian Access Connections Bus, Car, Taxi and Cycle Access Connections Covered Access and Waiting Areas Secure Bicycle Storage Multi- Storey Car Park Bus Drop Off Taxi Walnut Tree Close Pedestrian connections into the station Current station approach New station approach
Better vehicular connections ehicular improvements includes: 9 short stay parking spaces 18 taxi pick up and waiting spaces 6 passenger and taxi set down spaces City Centre shuttle bus stop Separate taxi and parking entrances Guildford gyratory improvements Widen Walnut Tree Close on its approach to the gyratory New modern multi-storey car park Key Access for Taxi s, Buses and Drop-off Walnut Tree Close New station square The new station square
Quality new homes There is a substantial need for new homes in Guildford. The Council s draft local plan wants to see more development on brownfield sites rather than building on greenfield ones. We propose 445 high quality new homes at this highly accessible, town centre location. For many people, there is nothing better than living in a sustainable central location where everything is literally on your doorstep. Solum is dedicated to creating exciting new environments, offering high-quality new homes to those seeking to enjoy all the benefits of gateway living. Proposed apartments along Station iew We intend to build a mix of housing offering private homes to buy as well as affordable homes to either buy or rent. We will build a mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments, delivering a fusion of styles built to a high specification. The development will help relieve the pressure on greenfield sites and help bring vitality and life back to Guildford town centre. Images showing interior of proposed apartments
Next steps We have now submitted our planning application to Guildford Council and we would very much welcome your thoughts and comments. Please complete the feedback form provided. If the application is approved, the development is likely to take four years to complete. We will undertake a careful phasing strategy to minimise any disruption on passengers and neighbours. Thank you for joining us - we look forward to being in touch soon. The new station approach