Building of new community facilities, shops and homes in Merstham set to start

Developer T & A Kernoghan, chosen by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council to build the new facilities in Portland Drive, is scheduled to start work on site after Easter.

The regeneration project, which is a joint venture with Raven Housing Trust and Surrey County Council, is expected to be complete in Spring 2016.

New community centre, shops and homes

A new community centre will be built on part of the 'Triangle' site, at the junction of Portland Drive and Bletchingley Road, along with four restaurant/takeaway units. The community centre will include a new library, youth skills centre, training rooms, a café, public IT resources and drop-in advice facilities to give residents easier access to local services.

A new Morrisons M Local convenience store will be built on the former Iron Horse pub site, along with three other retail units to improve the quality of local shops. Ten shared equity flats will be built above, in partnership with Raven, to provide more homes that local people can afford.

Improving the area for residents

Cllr Natalie Bramhall, Executive Member for Property and Regeneration, said: "It's really exciting that we will soon start to see things happening on site after all the planning that has gone into this project. I'm sure that, like me, local people are looking forward to watching the ambitious plans for these fantastic facilities become a reality, improving the local area and making it a better place to live."

Raven's Chief Executive, Jonathan Higgs, said: "After a long wait it's great to see these plans going ahead so that we can help improve the local area. We appreciate all of the feedback and contributions from local residents which have helped shape the regeneration and like everyone involved, we look forward to seeing a new heart to Merstham as it starts to come together over the coming months."

Surrey County Council leader David Hodge said: "It's great that we can provide local people with an exciting mix of new homes, shops and community centres, including a new library and youth facilities, that will transform their neighbourhood.

"The new development will be an attractive place for young people to go and will really help young families thrive as well as creating job opportunities and boosting local economic growth."

In the meantime, residents may see some preparatory works taking place on both sites in advance of Kernoghan's main start on site.

Updates

To keep up to date with progress on the project, see the notices on site or keep an eye on the Merstham Regeneration webpage.