Extension to 'ugly' town centre building approved
GoogleA development to add nine flats to a building described by residents as "ugly" has been approved.
Waverley Borough Council granted planning permission to the property in Godalming High Street, which is currently home to a Fat Face shop, a gym and a pub.
Opponents told the planning meeting on 7 May the homes would overlook neighbours and put pressure on local parking.
But councillors voted in favour of the developer Queensbury Investments, which argued the plans will make "better use of this key town centre site".
The local authority will not issue town centre parking permits to flat residents to keep spaces free for visitors to Godalming, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
The developer will keep the existing commercial property and add two further storeys of flats, some of which will have shared roof terraces.
The site is within Godalming Conservation Area and next to listed buildings.
A representative of adjoining Great George Street residents told the meeting they understood the building is "really ugly" but this was not the best way to go about improvements.
They said "it feels like there is massive, excessive development" and roof terraces will "be looking straight over the rooftops and into our gardens".
Andy Jeffery, Godalming Town Council clerk, said the proposal would "disrupt the traditional character and roofline" of the town centre.
The developer said the scheme would bring the 1960s-build more in line with the rest of the area, help meet new housing targets, and create new spend in Godalming.
Councillor Carole Cockburn said the plans were "well thought through" and that "if you live in a town centre, you have should have different expectations because there are always going to be mixed uses".
"We don't want to be building on our green fields," she added.
"We don't want to build anywhere but we have to and I'm afraid it's got to be in our towns."
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