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Revised plans to regenerate the centre of Sheerwater were approved, subject to conditions, at Planning Committee last night (Tuesday 9 April), and work is expected to start on site within a matter of weeks.
Last week Council approved the release of £42 million, for the first phase of the scheme.
Cllr David Bittleston, Leader of Woking Borough Council, said: “Council agreed to the regeneration of Sheerwater back in May 2013 and it has taken much longer than anticipated to get to the point of actually building something.
“I would like to thank the residents of Sheerwater for their help in shaping these revised plans. I know for many it has been a worrying and frustrating time, but now that we have received the final green light, we can quickly get on with delivering this exciting project, which will provide better homes and better outcomes for the whole community.”
Cllr Bittleston continued: “My intention has always been to deliver the new sports and community facilities prior to building new homes, and last year, Council agreed the release of funds (£26 million) for the new swimming pool, leisure centre and 3G football pitch. Hopefully terms will be agreed with Bishop David Brown School in the next couple of weeks so that work on this important part of the project can start in June.
“A lot of detailed work and discussion has gone on to get us to this stage so I would also like to thank my fellow councillors for supporting these plans, our dedicated council officers and the team at ThamesWey Ltd for bringing this project to life.”
About the scheme
Approval of ThamesWey’s hybrid planning application gives the developer outline planning consent for up to 1,142 homes within the regeneration area and detailed consent for 695 of these. This will take the number of homes with detailed planning consent to 834.
New Vision Homes secured consent for the scheme in 2016. ThamesWey’s scheme improves upon this, responding to residents’ calls for more open space, increased parking and a greater number of specialist residential units.
The phased project, which includes provision of new leisure, retail and community facilities, is expected to take six years, completing in August 2025 if everything runs to schedule.
The first phase (purple), is a medium rise development incorporating Murray Green. The property mix includes 10 three-storey houses and 82 one to three bed apartments, available for social and market rent.
The landscape framework within this phase comprises a pocket park, podium gardens, and tree-lined frontages to Central Square and Bunyard Drive. It will be one of the primary gateways into the development from Albert Drive.