Sheer House Redevelopment

 

 

SHEER HOUSE LATEST  – January 2021 On 27 January Keeble brown wrote on behalf of Retirement Villages Group: On Monday 25 January we received confirmation from Woking Borough Council that our Reserved Matters Application is now validated. This means all the submitted documents are available for viewing and comment https://bit.ly/3pkDwKJ. We have also uploaded some of the submitted design documents to our website here: https://sheerhouseredevelopment.co.uk/information-packs/ The council is accepting feedback from the public until 15 February (we understand this date may be extended). Although there are elements of the proposals that are now determined, for example those relating to the consented applications, the project team will continue to respond to comments and suggestions. We have agreed with the Council’s planning department to aim for the application to be considered during the planning committee meeting on 6 April 2021. We know this is an ambitious target, but we believe we can achieve it. As we have written in previous emails, we are very aware of the public’s desire to see the Sheer House site brought back to life as soon as possible. With continued local support and a positive response to our Reserved Matters application, we are hopeful people will start seeing real progress on site in the next few weeks.

 

Public Square: Furniture Palette We hope that people will notice how many of their suggestion and comments have been reflected in the designs for the Public Square. We received several thoughtful suggestions about the types of features local people would like to see in the more public spaces. Thanks to your feedback, our proposals now include a book exchange, static chessboard tables and a drinking fountain. We have also positioned the water feature and some of the planting and benched seating to improve the amenity in different weather conditions and to encourage greater use of the square in different season. For example, it would not be practical for the water fountain to be operational all year long, and so it will be designed and positioned so that the area can be used for other activities, such as a Christmas tree, May Pole or a seasonal market.

December 2020

The December 2020 Newsletter included:

The latest planning application was approved on 8^th December.  This did not significantly change the size, height or mass of the previous plans, but did change the mix of space.  For full details of the article and additional details please click on the following link.

Sheer House Outline Planning Approved_

AXA Media Release – June 2020

 For immediate release

 West Byfleet’s Sheer House site on track for £90m redevelopment

The redevelopment of Sheer House, which lies close to the centre of West Byfleet and the local railway station, has taken a major step forward after Retirement Villages Group, one of the UK’s leading developers of homes for later living, confirmed its acquisition.

The new owners will be investing £90 million to create a retirement led, mixed-use development. They are proposing around 200 homes with a mix of apartment sizes for sale and rent. The scheme will feature a wide range of amenities including a wellness centre, a new pedestrianised square enclosed by boutique-style retail and leisure uses, a replacement public library and car park.

The site was acquired from Prime Finance (West Byfleet) SARL, which had already obtained outline planning consent for 255 apartments, and new retail space.

James Ahearne, Development Director at Retirement Villages Group, said, ‘Our proposed scheme will deliver integrated place-making centred around the new public square at the heart of West Byfleet. We know that the public expects an improvement on the old office block, car park and shopping arcade, and has done for some time. We are intent on curating a solution that will be seen as an integral part of the village.

‘As well as the public library and carparking, we hope to attract independent local businesses to occupy the retail units, which will be included as part of the redevelopment. This will generate both enhanced community value and deliver amenity to our residents.’

James added, ‘Our project team will be consulting closely with the local community and stakeholders as we seek approval for minor changes to the consented scheme to enable construction to start as soon as possible.’

 -ENDS

  For further information, please contact William Jankowski: William.jankowski@keeblebrown.com

 Notes to Editors

Retirement Villages Group was acquired by AXA Investment Managers – Real Assets in 2017. The Group currently has 16 retirement villages, mostly located in the south west, midlands and south of England. The first retirement village was established at Elmbridge Village in Cranleigh, Surrey in 1981. This is considered to be the UK’s first dedicated retirement village.