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Town centre scheme 'could prompt more development'

Julia Gregory,in Guildfordand
Patrick Barlow,South East
Julia Gregory / BBC A construction site next to a road. A man in a high-visibility jacket is crouched next to a temporary traffic light pedestrian crossing signal.Julia Gregory / BBC
Work on the redevelopment of North Street in Guildford is due to be completed by 2031, developers have said

Developers of regeneration plans for part of a Surrey town centre have said they are hoping the project will kickstart improvements in surrounding areas.

Nearly 500 homes, including almost 50 "affordable" properties are due to be built in Guildford's North Street, alongside plans to pedestrianise the road, improve Guildford bus station, and build a new health centre.

Ben Annetts, sales director of Berkeley Homes, told BBC Radio Surrey he hoped it would convince others to improve sites such as the former House of Fraser building in the High Street.

But local campaigners have said that, although the 2.2 acre (0.9 hectare) site will bring improvements, its impact will be "fairly marginal".

Julia Gregory / BBC A man in a black suit wearing a striped tie. He is stood in front of a construction site with a metal railed fence surrounding it.Julia Gregory / BBC
Ben Annetts, of Berkeley Homes, said there had been a good amount of interest in homes on the site

Annetts said: "It's a large empty premises which doesn't look great, but I think the success we will have will hopefully encourage other developers to do something.

"We have had very good interest locally from residents and good engagement with the project."

Since the North Street scheme was first approved in 2023, the number of homes has risen from 471 to 485, with revisions in April and December last year.

Alongside pedestrianisation, shops, commercial spaces and art installations have also been planned.

Homes in the development range from £396,500 to £750,000, Annetts said.

Julia Gregory / BBC A building made of several cream panels with a glass-panelled front.Julia Gregory / BBC
The former House of Fraser building is on the market after the high street retailer closed its Guildford branch

Work to modernise Guildford bus station will begin in early 2027, though no finish date has been set.

The former House of Fraser building has remained closed since 2023, and is currently on the market for developers.

Despite praise for the scheme from developers, John Harrison of the St Catherine's Village Association said any improvements brought by the scheme would be "modest".

He added: "There will be a period of decline before the renovations happen. Compared to five or 10 years ago, you are just getting back to square one."

The full development is aimed to be completed by 2031.

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