Homes plan will help 'build futures', council says

Plans to develop four council-owned sites into new housing which include accommodation for people with mental health needs, have been announced.

Surrey County Council says it proposals will help meet local housing needs in Merstham, Great Bookham, Cranleigh and Staines.

A portion of the homes could be self-contained apartments where people with mental health needs would receive care and support.

Sinead Mooney, the council's cabinet member for adult social care, said: "There are strong economic, health and community drivers for seeking to improve housing, accommodation and homes in Surrey."

The final number of homes at each site, and the mix of general housing and supported accommodation, will be confirmed during the bidding process.

However, the council predicted there would be about 20 to 30 homes per site, or about 100 in total.

All four sites – Chalkmead in Merstham, Keswick in Great Bookham, Longfield in Cranleigh, and Meadowside in Staines – have been assessed as suitable for housing based on access to local services, transport links and community facilities.

A fifth site – Heathside, in Woking – is not being progressed at this stage, pending further consideration and review.

In January 2020, the council was supporting 1,621 people with mental health as their primary social care need, and by May 2025 that number had almost doubled to 3,212.

Mooney said: "This initiative is not just about building homes, it's about building futures.

"It's about ensuring some of our most vulnerable residents have access to safe, supported and sustainable accommodation, enabling them to live independently and thrive in their communities."

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.