The London Road Development site is the area at the top of Camberley town centre fronting the A30. It is a large area of approx 5.5 acres and currently comprises of a variety of buildings and service yards, including the old Allders building, buildings along the top of the High Street, the units currently occupied by Boots and along that side of Obelisk Way in The Square shopping centre. The site is shown on the image attached.
In 2019, Kier Property Limited was appointed the preferred partner to deliver a large mixed used scheme on the site. However due to a number of proposed changes to the original masterplan and a reduction in the land value, the council decided to withdraw from this arrangement.
Councillor Alan McClafferty, Leader, Surrey Heath Borough Council said;
“I am disappointed that rapidly changing economic conditions, linked in part to the impact of the pandemic, has meant that it has not been possible to move forward as quickly as we had wanted with the redevelopment of our site on the London Road.
While we all wanted to see this site progress, seismic changes in the national development and retail market over the last 18 months meant that the original ideas could no longer be achieved. However, as with any change there will also be opportunities, and I am therefore looking forward to bringing forward a revised scheme for the site as soon as possible. This will be a scheme that reflects the new market conditions going forward, the priorities in our emerging Local Plan that we will be consulting fully on in the Spring, and be a scheme that delivers the vitality and footfall and our residents and businesses are looking for.
Investment in our town remains an important priority for Surrey Heath Borough Council and that is why in the Summer we delivered and opened our wonderful new Camberley Leisure Centre in partnership with Places Leisure, completed our High Street and Public Realm works which attracted significant inward investment from the EM3 Local Enterprise Partnership, saw the opening of the new Lumina development delivered in partnership with Berkeley Homes, providing 114 high quality new homes, delivered 25 new affordable apartments in partnership with Clarion Housing and Berkeley Homes at Pembroke House and delivered the transformation of the frontage of Camberley Theatre which was completed before Christmas just ahead of our annual Panto season. This month we are looking forward to the opening of our new emergency accommodation hub in partnership with the Hope Hub, which we completed at the end of December, and we are in advanced discussions with a number of new businesses about their aspirations for investment in our town.
Alongside our significant investment activity we have also been refreshing our plans for the future. I’m really grateful for the help and support provided by businesses and stakeholders both locally and regionally in informing this work and helping us to ensure that our future plans for Camberley reflect what is most important for residents and businesses in a post covid world.”
Camberley Be Inspired
Surrey Heath Borough Council is committed to supporting and regenerating Camberley. SHBC’s investments have already seen the acquisition of The Square shopping centre, commencing its refurbishment programme within the first year of ownership. Followed by an ambitious set of projects to improve the roads, pavements and street scene. A redundant office building has also been purchased to create 116 high quality town centre apartments, with proposals to re-deliver new commercial space.
Large multi-use development site. Situated fronting the London Road, opposite the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the 5.5-acre site has the potential to create a substantial development and improve the gateway to Camberley.
SHBC has signed a 25-year contract with Places Leisure to design, build and operate a new £22 million leisure centre. The new centre will feature new swimming pools, sport courts, fitness facilities and a café. The new centre opened on 1 July 2021.
The regeneration work is supported by a comprehensive events programme, grant schemes for independent businesses and cultural and enrichment projects to ensure Camberley is a key destination and experience. In Camberley we are committed to reshaping and enhancing the town centre to support our community and local businesses.
