THE GUILDFORD SOCIETY
Design & Heritage Group Annual Report 2009-2010
Group Members are Jean Bridger, Joan Butler (Secretary), Gillian Cameron, Liz Cox, Auriol Earle (Chairman), Pat Grayburn, Sheila Kirkland, Doug Scott, Robin Stannard, with the GBC’s Design & Heritage Champion Roy Hogben in attendance. Among their responsibilities are the annual Architecture Lecture (with the University), the biennial design awards, Architecture Week events, publications, tree planting, green belt care, Guildford’s historic streets, heritage open days and other heritage concerns.
Last year’s Architecture Lecture, in collaboration with the University, given by RIBA President Sunand Prasad and entitled "Better Spaces Better Places" gave a clear explanation of how good architecture can be achieved. It was well attended and many stayed on to enjoy a buffet supper in the Lakeside Restaurant afterwards. Preparatory work for the 4th Annual Architecture Lecture in June is now completed (JBu GC PG).
Streetscape Manual: With advice from English Heritage and the example of other historic towns, D&H has sought ways to include protection and restoration of the special qualities of our historic streets in the Local Development Framework. Much thought and effort has gone into this (DS RS RH), but the Borough Council claims not to have the resources to draw up their own Manual, and imply that an unofficial version would lack legal weight in planning matters. An apparent lack of collaboration between SCC and GBC is a constant theme, though some joint work has been carried out on the High Street. A question on this to the Local Committee in December received a reply from Derek Lake of SCC (present at the Local Committee) invoking a shortage of funds, but none from GBC.
Trees: An initiative to plant flowering cherry trees provided by Merrist Wood to screen the Millbrook carpark has not yet been agreed by GBC but we are hopeful that it will proceed this autumn. The tree in the Society’s planter outside the in North Street Library has now been replaced (JBr).
Peak's Pond Plaque: After much correspondence about the wording, GBC has pleaded poverty, with the possibility deferred to another financial year (LC.
Peak’s Diaries: Roger Nicholas’ editing of the diaries of the architect/Borough Surveyor responsible for so much of the Guildford we know continues to sell (LC).
The Mount and the Green Lane: Applications for vehicular access to new houses led to research on ownership of the Green Lane historic trackway verges (GC DS). Access has been blocked by SCC and the matter is now due to be resolved in court.
Henley Wood: GBC’s Tree Officer has explained that maintenance work on the “crown” of woodland so visible from the High Street is now essential and overdue. Phased thinning of the trees will resolve as the new trees grow.
Heritage Open Days in September attracted more visitors and yet more premises were made available in 2009 (GC).
Auriol Earle
(May 2010)