Berkeley Group company St Edward has officially broken ground at North Street, a major development located in Guildford, Surrey. 

This milestone marks the beginning of a major regeneration of the North Street area –  a prominent town centre site that has lain largely vacant for over 30 years.

The development will deliver 477 highly sustainable new homes, including a mix of affordable and market homes, alongside a programme of public areas, improvements to local transport and access to green spaces for local residents and visitors. Progress on site follows six years of close collaboration between Guildford Borough Council, Surrey County Council, and key local stakeholders.

St Edward’s masterplan will transform a previously disused and predominantly concrete-dominated land into a vibrant, mixed-use destination with 2.2 acres of public realm, three new public squares, a pocket park, and a new public wellness garden. The masterplan also includes a new NHS medical centre, space for cafés, restaurants, retail, leisure, and facilities such as children’s soft play and class-led fitness offerings.

The regeneration will see part of North Street pedestrianised out of hours, with access and servicing only available in the evening and mornings, helping improve air quality by an estimated 10%.

The development will also deliver upgrades to Guildford’s bus station, including new passenger toilets, an indoor waiting room, and an additional bus stop to support future growth and better connectivity. This will enable the rerouting of buses away from North Street, helping improve the experience for pedestrians. 

Paul Vallone, executive chairman of St Edward, says: “The start of construction at North Street marks a significant moment. We’re beginning to breathe new life into this key town centre site – creating places where people want to live, work and visit. Our ongoing collaboration with the community is vital for ensuring long-term investment and the successful completion of this project.”

The regeneration is forecast to create up to 400 jobs during construction, supported by an Employment and Skills Plan to ensure local people benefit directly from the opportunities the regeneration will create. St Edward is also collaborating with organisations including Activate Learning to explore opportunities with Guildford College to maximise local training, apprenticeships and job opportunities via an on-site skills centre.

St Edward will also deliver a Community Plan and a local Community Funding partnership with ActionFunder.