The thing about towns and cities is that they are always being developed and improved. It might feel to some as though this is just one big con in order to spend council money so as to be able to ask for more in the future, but that is far from the truth. Instead, with towns like Guilford, it is all about ensuring the area keeps moving forward and is the best version of itself. It is with that in mind that St Edward, which is part of the Berkeley Homes Group, has been given permission to engage in the regeneration of the North Street area.
What Is Happening
Around North Street is an area of approximately four acres. It is bounded by Commercial Road, Leapale Road and North Street itself, as well as Guildford Bus Station. The North Street Regeneration Scheme aims to completely change the area, introducing the likes of sustainable new homes, a public space and a new-look bus station for the people of Guildford to be proud of. To be more specific, the hope is that the Regeneration Scheme will see the following brought in:
- 477 sustainable new homes, of which 47 will be affordable homes
- A wellness garden and new town square brought in as part of 2.2 acres of public space
- A refurbished Guildford Bus Station
- North Street to be pedestrianised between Leapale Road and Commercial Road
- 115 new trees to be planted in order to boost the local biodiversity
- A new medical centre introduced to serve the community
The Timescale of the Project
Whilst the idea of introducing a new-look to the North Street area is hardly going to be a quick fix, it is handy to have some sense of how long such a project is likely to take. Woodbridge Road was closed first, with diversions put in place in order to allow for the work to get underway. They are expected to remain in place until the middle of 2026, at which point the one-way street of Leapale Road will be made two-way. At the start of January 2025, St Edward began to set up hoarding and scaffolding ahead of the first demolition.
The demolition work began in February 2025, with the Old Post Office as well as some other buildings on North Street and Woodbridge Road being brought down. Woodbridge Road will be closed permanently, allowing for the likes of soil investigations to be carried out as well as service diversions. Other diversions are also to be expected around the North Street and Leapale Road areas. The aim is for the Bus Station works to begin in the Winter of 2025 and concluded in the Summer of the following year, depending on how quickly the work can be carried out.
One of the most exciting aspects of the North Street Regeneration Scheme is the pedestrianisation of North Street itself. The plan is for this work to begin in the Autumn of 2026 and be concluded by the Spring of 2027. This will allow for the businesses in the region to be adapted in order to welcome more footfall, as well as work in a manner that reduces the dependence on car traffic for the region. It should be a thrilling thing for the people of Guildford to experience as they look to take advantage of the new-look to the town’s centre.