Merstham regeneration a step closer
Two key sites in Merstham, the proposed community hub and the Iron Horse Pub site, are reaching important milestones.
The regeneration of the heart of the Merstham estate is expected to move a step closer in the coming weeks with two key sites – the proposed Merstham community hub and the Iron Horse Pub site - reaching important milestones.
Community hub
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council’s ongoing commitment towards the development of the Merstham community hub is to be considered by the Executive at their meeting on Thursday, 4 March 2010.
The proposed community hub, to be built on land at the junction of Portland Drive and Bletchingley Road, will incorporate a new health centre, pharmacy, library, church, multi-purpose hall, children’s nursery, meeting rooms and learning facilities, as well as space for other services such as the police, the Council’s Help Shop and Raven Housing Trust.
The Council has been working with a number of local partners to bring about the scheme including Surrey County Council, NHS Surrey, the Moathouse GP Surgery, the Epiphany Church, Raven Housing Trust, Surrey Police and a local charity.
Iron horse site
The Council has also recently secured vacant possession of the former Iron Horse public house site, after the brewery chain that held the lease relinquished it. The Council is now considering a number of options for the site, including a mixed used retail and residential scheme.
In the meantime the pub building will be demolished, with works commencing on Monday 8 March 2010. Whilst the Iron Horse is being demolished every effort will be made to minimise any disruption to local residents.
Hoarding will be erected to enclose the premises and will remain in place once demolition is complete, to maintain safety and security.
Public consultation
Cllr Allen Kay, Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “The Iron Horse site and the proposed Community Hub site are on adjacent pieces of land, presenting a real opportunity to transform the heart of Merstham estate.
“Many of the existing services on the estate, like the Moathouse GP Surgery, are delivered from buildings that are old and in need of replacement.
"A new community hub would enable better delivery of services to residents from one place, enable service providers to be more effective and be accessed by more local people as a result of being located together.
“Plans for the potential development of both sites will be subject to public consultation in the spring and early summer, when we will be keen to hear local people's views on the proposals.”
If the Executive agree the proposals next week, a comprehensive planning framework for the proposed community hub development, the Iron Horse pub site, the Portland Drive shops and sites that would be vacated by the GP surgery, library and Epiphany Church will prepared and submitted for consideration by the Planning Committee.
Planning applications will be made for both schemes once comments from the public consultation have been assessed.
For more information about the regeneration of Merstham see the Merstham regeneration page.
Last updated : 10/03/2010
