Westfield knocked back in Guildford
Published: 14 January, 2011
Council rejects Westfield's plans to revamp the Friary Centre in Guildford
Guildford Councillors have overthrown their own officers' recommendations and rejected Westfield's plans to refurbish and extend the Friary Centre.
The developer, in partnership with Hermes, had proposed filling in the centre's atrium and reconfiguring existing space to create larger units in keeping with modern retailer requirements. At the same time some lifts would have been relocated to improve internal circulation.
But the chair of the planning committee said the resulting space would be “cramped and claustrophobic.”
With major developments like Bradford on ice, Westfield is looking to create additional value by refurbishing its existing stock in centres like Guildford and Nottingham. The developer expressed its disappointment at the councillors' decision.
