A Guildford businessman says he has only one concern about the proposed extension of the Guildford Hotel.

Maurice Sawyer from Basic Elements said his only concern about the proposal was parking.

“The building itself has been basically empty and unused for the past three years so it’ll be good to see it utilised for something again, but there is a shortfall of 192 car bays,’’ he said.

Mr Sawyer, who had his premises damaged by a fire in 2021, said there were few positives for existing small businesses.

“Probably no positives for us because the patrons of the hotel don’t necessarily come and shop on this street.

“They sometimes would go to the cafes or something but we’ve lost most cafes on the street now.

“Basically they’re not going to shop with us and they’re just going to take up our customers’ parking bays and also residents of Ethel Street, Stephen Street and Market Street will end up not being able to park in front of their houses or anywhere near their houses.’’

Guildford Association vice president Barbara Dundas said the Guildford Hotel was known to require parking of 421 bays but had been given a concession by council of 42 bays, which meant it had a shortfall of 379 car bays.

“If we include what appears to be the shortfall of 21 bays for the restaurant, it means we’ve actually got a 400 car bay shortfall – this is without the Vaudeville proposal,’’ she said.

She said many assumed the whole car park at the rear of the Guildford Hotel was available, but former Planning minister John Day had required the council incorporate into the local planning scheme the provision for potentially a five-storey development.

“Likewise the 42 bay limitation of parking for the Guildford Hotel was dependent on the restoration and that cannot be changed.

“So we know we are working with some fixed numbers and any additional shortfalls will further impact on the parking crisis that we have in Guildford.

“What we are finding is that by giving concessions to the businesses it is actually at an expense – it’s not a gain for the residents.

“The residents pay in terms of amenity with traffic jams down the small side streets, and further we have a primary school and a pre-primary school located nearby.’’

There were 58 vehicles parked in the Guildford Hotel car park on Tuesday, June 27 at 1.40pm.

The transport impact statement prepared by Transcore on behalf of Urbis for the redevelopment of the Vaudeville Theatre located at 163 James Street, Guildford said there are no additional car parking bays proposed as part of the application due to constraints and the location being a heritage site.

Instead the use of existing on-site and off-site parking was proposed along with encouragement of rideshare and public transport options.

The statement said the traffic analysis undertaken for the report showed the anticipated generated trips from the proposed development were 47vph, 33vph, and 19vph for Friday pm peak hour, Saturday pm peak hour and Sunday midday peak hour.

“The anticipated traffic generation of the proposed development is relatively low and, as such, would have an insignificant impact on the surrounding road network,’’ the statement said.

“The Vaudeville Theatre will seek to consolidate its service vehicle provisions with the Guildford Hotel, maintaining the same provision and delivery schedules.

“No transport or safety issues have been identified for the proposed development.’’