Guildford's Planning Committee approved the refurbishment and expansion of The Number 5 Hub on York Road on 26 August. Work starts in spring 2027 and takes about a year.

Guildford Borough Council has planning permission to rebuild and expand its homeless shelter on York Road. The Planning Committee approved the scheme at its meeting on Wednesday 26 August (Guildford Borough Council).

We reported the plans before the meeting. The council confirmed the outcome on 27 August.

What was approved

The council says the project will:

  • bring together the existing buildings at 1, 3 and 5 York Road into a single, modern homelessness accommodation centre
  • provide space for up to 22 residents, with improved communal areas and facilities
  • start construction in spring 2027, taking about 12 months

The current permitted occupancy of 3 and 5 York Road is 16, under a permission dating from January 2000, so the scheme adds six places. Number 1 York Road is currently three flats that the officer’s report described as vacant and in disrepair.

Who runs it

The Number 5 Hub provides short-term accommodation and support for people aged 18 and over who are rough sleeping in Guildford and have a local connection to the borough. It is run by Riverside in partnership with the council.

Cllr Julia McShane, the council leader and lead councillor for housing, said the investment “will provide improved accommodation and facilities for people facing tough challenges”, adding that “while rough sleeping levels in Guildford remain low, it is vital that the right help is there when people need it”.

Ketan Patel, Riverside’s assistant director of operations for housing and support, said the plans “represent a significant investment in supporting people experiencing homelessness in Guildford”.

What it means for you

  • Nothing changes on York Road until spring 2027, when construction starts. The council expects about a year of work.
  • The shelter stays a hostel for people with a Guildford connection. Anyone worried about losing their home can find the council’s homelessness support pages via the council release linked above.
  • The other applications decided the same night, including the filling of the wartime shelter beneath Foxenden Quarry playground, are covered in our preview; the committee’s published decisions will follow on the council’s democracy site.
  • More on the borough’s planning pipeline: Guildford planning applications.

Source: Guildford Borough Council’s announcement of 27 August 2026 and the officer’s report to the 26 August Planning Committee.