Experience Guildford vice-chair says North Street regeneration will be "major benefit" to town.
The plans have been met with some criticism.
The vice chair of Experience Guildford has said that the controversial North Street regeneration will be a "major benefit" to the town.
Plans to redevelop the street with more than 450 homes, shops and public space have been given the green light.
Despite just 47 of the planned homes being affordable, this number was higher than put forward in a previously rejected scheme for the largely-vacant site.
Woodbridge Road, which runs through the middle of the future development, will be closed up and a pedestrian route will replace it, with public squares and a wellness garden also planned.
**"The revitalisation of the town centre is a must to keep it alive."**
But the plans are not without controversy, with critics raising concerns about the number of homes being built and what it may mean for the future of the town.
A spokesperson for the Guildford Society also said a "more carefully considered" plan was needed.
However, Jane Lyons, who is the vice chair of Experience Guildford and a Guildford business owner, said the regeneration is crucial to reinvigorate the town.
Experience Guildford as an organisation aims to "showcase what Guildford has for everyone", and is a Business Improvement District.
"Retail and hospitality are still struggling from the pandemic to be frank with you. The revitalisation of the town centre is a must to keep it alive.
"I think it's going to be a major benefit to the town centre."
Jane also said that she doesn't think the plans will disrupt the town's history.
"I think people are scared we're going to lose the heritage and historic element of the town, and I don't think that's necessarily so... a town centre is about business and a town centre thrives with retail and hospitality."