Council proposes capping height of new buildings

A council in Surrey is proposing a maximum height for new buildings, to preserve the town's "special character".

New builds in Guildford town centre would be limited to 18m (59ft) under a Supplementary Planning Document being considered by the borough council's executive on Thursday evening.

According to the document the distance would be measured "from the lowest external point around the building to the height of the highest part of the roof".

In October the authority blocked plans for eight new industrial units because of the "unacceptable" visual impact they would have had.

The town centre "continues to be an opportunity area for brownfield redevelopment and regeneration" said the report.

"Given the special character of the town centre, it is critical that the council achieves high quality urban design."

The report said tall buildings had the potential to cause "harm to valued features of Guildford Town Centre".

"These include its prevailing character, significant views, heritage assets, and levels of amenity," it added.

The report explained that a height of 18m corresponded to five or six storeys.

It also said plans for buildings shorter than that could be refused, depending on the height of neighbouring existing properties.

Council officers do accept that tall buildings could "make the most efficient use of sustainable brownfield sites and may support regeneration efforts".

Council officers are recommending the plan be adopted.

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