Funding approved for £21m car park redevelopment

Councillors in Surrey have approved a £21.4m budget to redevelop a town centre car park.

The plans for the Fairground car park site, in Haslemere, include new homes and shops and the relocation of a youth club.

The first phase of the plans will focus on moving Haslemere Youth Club into the Weydown Road car park, subject to planning permission being granted.

Abi Lewis, head of regeneration and planning policy at Waverley Borough Council, said: "This is a large investment for the council, but doing nothing will cost us more in the long run."

In the second phase the council will seek to identify a development partner for the Fairground car park, in Wey Hill, which is currently free to use.

The council hopes to build at least 32 new affordable homes and allow for the provision of a supermarket.

The planning process and construction start date has been given by the council as 2026/27 for this part of the project.

Waverley borough councillors approved a budget of £21.4m for a mixed-use development proposal on the council-owned car park.

The funding includes £3m to relocate a community hub, £10m for housing and £8m on the provision of retail space.

Ms Lewis said the redevelopment would "bring significant improvements to the area".

The Fairground car park is currently free to use.

She said the project would "eventually generate an income stream to help fund local services".

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