The proposal for the large quadrant development at the Guildford Casino nightclub site – included 267 student bedrooms and a rooftop terrace – has been unanimously rejected by Guildford Borough Council (GBC), reports Surrey Live.
Surrey Live writes:
A proposal submitted to the council in November included 267 bedrooms for students from the Academy of Contemporary Music, as well as a large rooftop terrace and restaurant overlooking the River Wey and Guildford Cathedral.
However, all 15 councillors on GBC’s Planning Committee voted against the quadrant development at a meeting on Wednesday (July 29).
One member, Councillor Marsha Moseley, Conservative member for Ash Vale, described the development as “a monstrous carbuncle” and said that while the Bedford area is in need of regeneration, this should not be “at any cost”.
Council officers had already recommended planning permission be refused, citing concerns over flooding risks and the harm the building would cause to the heritage assets it surrounds.
Members heard from two members of the public involved in the design process, each of whom gave submissions as to why the application should be accepted.
Dr Ashley Bowes pointed to how the proposed Guildford train station redevelopment would sit taller than the highest point of the Casino redevelopment, which is also “in a far more prominent location”…..
He said: “I would like to welcome everyone to the London Borough of Guildford. This is a prime example of how to be totally unsympathetic to the setting. If you want a visual demonstration of how to be out of character then you are looking at it…..
The committee proceeded to then vote unanimously against granting permission.
