Wey Corner / Guildford

The development on Wey Corner to the north of Guildford town centre replaces an industrial unit providing 56 high quality new homes in a prime location across a 0.38 ha, 31 miles from London and ideally located for accessing transport links to the capital. Guildford Cathedral and the University of Surrey lie to the west of the site, whilst the eastern frontage faces the River Wey, with the Wey and Godalming Navigations Conservation Area beyond. This conservation area was designated in 2002 and includes the river corridor, the wooded area between the river and the western edge of the Guildford Cricket Club, and Dapdune Wharf – a historic barge-building wharf now owned by the National Trust.

 

Of the 56 high quality new homes offered by the development, 19 provide affordable homes (34%) with the remaining 37 units to provided as open market sale. Of the affordable housing, 12 apartments are allocated to affordable rent (64%) and 7 are for shared ownership (36%). A total of 1584m2 of landscaped amenity space is provided within the scheme. All two-bedroom apartments and the majority of one-bedroom ones are designed with generous private amenity space in the form of balconies, or terraces for the ground floor units.

A landscaped public route through the site on the corner of Walnut Tree Close runs eastwards, connecting with the River Wey footpath and opening the views across and along the river. This pedestrian route bisects the site, creating two smaller buildings providing visual and physical permeability. Both buildings feature a mix of one-bed and two-bed units, each with a generous private balcony. Facing Walnut Tree Close, the building line follows the curve of the site, presenting a defined frontage to the street. On the River Wey elevation, a concave building form responds to the bend of the river, pulled back from the edge of the site to create a generous zone for landscaped amenity. The distinctive roof profile has been designed to be sympathetic to the surrounding context, which includes the River Wey and Godalming Navigations Conservation Area. Taking cues from the historic warehouse buildings further along the river, an undulating gabled profile recalls their wharfside character. Finished to a high specification, all properties incorporate modern design features such as open-plan living spaces, en suite shower rooms and integrated kitchen appliances. Many of the apartments have balconies and some enjoy river views. All apartments benefit from allocated parking.

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