UK
Ireland
Scotland
London
Construction News
24/07/2024
Wates Teams Up With Guildford Borough Council
Wates Group has teamed up with Guildford Borough Council (GBC) to develop a site in the heart of Guildford.
The £86 million project will transform a car park site into an urban neighbourhood, delivering up to 248 new homes with a commitment to 40% affordable housing. GBC is committing up to £39.7 million from the Housing Revenue Account to buy the affordable housing. This housing will be added to the 5,000 council homes it already owns and manages.
The initial proposals include 98 new affordable rent and shared ownership homes. The scheme will deliver a balanced mix of one, two, and three-bedroom homes, with some townhouses. Before finalising the design and seeking planning permission, extensive public and stakeholder consultation will take place.
The design work already carried out has set the scope for a sustainable housing scheme, that blends seamlessly with the surrounding environment.
The development will be designed to meet and exceed Future Homes Standards, achieving approximately a 90% reduction in carbon emissions. The scheme will also enhance and improve the natural habitat to achieve a 30% Biodiversity Net Gain.
The location boasts excellent connectivity. It is a 12-minute walk to the town centre via a pedestrian bridge and only an eight-minute walk to Guildford train station. The development will be served by regular bus services and pedestrian routes.
Wates will also be delivering a social value programme valued at around £11 million. This will include creating 40 new jobs for local residents, alongside offering extensive training, work, and upskilling opportunities.
For the community, Wates has launched a variety of programs benefiting all age groups, including support for local community organisations, public art projects, literacy initiatives, foodbank support, and volunteering campaigns.
Lee Bushell, Regional Director, Wates Group said: "We are pleased to be working in partnership with Guildford Borough Council to deliver much-needed affordable homes at the heart of the town centre. The development exemplifies our commitment to creating vibrant communities and providing quality homes in prime locations. Additionally, as a Surrey-headquartered business, it has been incredibly rewarding to support the local community and uplift the Guildford economy."
The £86 million project will transform a car park site into an urban neighbourhood, delivering up to 248 new homes with a commitment to 40% affordable housing. GBC is committing up to £39.7 million from the Housing Revenue Account to buy the affordable housing. This housing will be added to the 5,000 council homes it already owns and manages.
The initial proposals include 98 new affordable rent and shared ownership homes. The scheme will deliver a balanced mix of one, two, and three-bedroom homes, with some townhouses. Before finalising the design and seeking planning permission, extensive public and stakeholder consultation will take place.
The design work already carried out has set the scope for a sustainable housing scheme, that blends seamlessly with the surrounding environment.
-- Advertisement --
The development will be designed to meet and exceed Future Homes Standards, achieving approximately a 90% reduction in carbon emissions. The scheme will also enhance and improve the natural habitat to achieve a 30% Biodiversity Net Gain.
The location boasts excellent connectivity. It is a 12-minute walk to the town centre via a pedestrian bridge and only an eight-minute walk to Guildford train station. The development will be served by regular bus services and pedestrian routes.
Wates will also be delivering a social value programme valued at around £11 million. This will include creating 40 new jobs for local residents, alongside offering extensive training, work, and upskilling opportunities.
For the community, Wates has launched a variety of programs benefiting all age groups, including support for local community organisations, public art projects, literacy initiatives, foodbank support, and volunteering campaigns.
Lee Bushell, Regional Director, Wates Group said: "We are pleased to be working in partnership with Guildford Borough Council to deliver much-needed affordable homes at the heart of the town centre. The development exemplifies our commitment to creating vibrant communities and providing quality homes in prime locations. Additionally, as a Surrey-headquartered business, it has been incredibly rewarding to support the local community and uplift the Guildford economy."
Latest Construction News
05/02/2025
Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) and ECF, a joint venture between Homes England, Legal & General, and Muse, have selected Vinci as the preferred contractor for Phase 1 of Stockport 8, a £350 million residential development west of Stockport town centre.
The decision follows a competi
05/02/2025
Vistry Group has finalised contracts for a significant housing development in Hinckley, Leicestershire, securing outline planning permission to deliver 475 new homes in the area.
The development, located east of Stoke Road and north of Normandy Way in the town's northern region, has a projected val
05/02/2025
Wilten Construction has been awarded a second Design and Build contract at Gateway 14 by client Gateway 14 Ltd and Jaynic.
The project involves the development of a state-of-the-art, three-storey Skills and Innovation Centre spanning 35,000 sq ft in the heart of Gateway 14. Designed to achieve BREE
05/02/2025
Knowsley Council has approved a major housing development in Kirkby, giving the green light to 800 new energy-efficient homes in the town's centre.
The decision also secures £7.7 million in Section 106 contributions from developer Barratt David Wilson Homes, further boosting local investment.
The
05/02/2025
Keepmoat Homes has announced plans to invest over £50 million in three new housing developments across Calderdale, aiming to deliver more than 200 new homes.
The developments, undertaken in partnership with Calderdale Council, form part of the North Halifax Transformation Programme, a local authori
05/02/2025
Essential renewal work at Skerne Road level crossing in Driffield has been completed. Over a six-day period, engineers replaced decades-old equipment, installing a state-of-the-art operating system, replacing the level crossing deck, and resurfacing the road.
The newly installed operating system is
05/02/2025
Construction firm GRAHAM is currently carrying out essential restoration work at the National Railway Museum in York, replacing the Grade II listed roof structure at Station Hall.
Originally built between 1875 and 1877 as a goods station, Station Hall now houses the museum’s six royal carriages.
05/02/2025
Mezzanine floors are commonly associated with additional storage or expanded floor space, but did you know they can also have a profound impact on employee productivity and morale? At Doity Engineering, we specialise in designing and installing mezzanine floors for
05/02/2025
Construction work is commencing on a new solar array at Weeton Barracks in Lancashire that will generate over one third of the site’s energy needs.
The work has been funded under the British Army’s Project Prometheus, a scheme that is increasing renewable energy across the army estate through inst
05/02/2025
The regeneration of Hartlepool's waterfront has reached a significant milestone with a £631,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The funding will support the development phase of the 'Tides of Change' project, aimed at transforming the visitor experience at the Museum of Hartlepool a
