Plans for redevelopment of Retirement Village given go ahead

Ambitious plans to upgrade, modernise and enhance the facilities at the country’s first Retirement Villages’ development have been given the green light.

Having undertaken a visit to Elmbridge Village, members of Waverley Borough Council’s planning committee voted to approve the far-reaching plans which will see additional facilities and new homes added to the community in Cranleigh.

Elmbridge Village was built on the site of a former school with some of the buildings incorporated into the design and used to house communal facilities shared by residents of the 236 bungalows and apartments.

However, it became clear that as well as some of those communal areas reaching the end of their economic life, the facilities as a whole needed modernising to ensure they continued to meet the needs of residents and future residents.

The planning process for revamping the village, in Cranleigh, began four years ago and has involved extensive consultations with residents and planners. The work which can now go ahead will see the addition of new communal facilities including a restaurant, library, lounge, multi function room, village hall, games and snooker room, gym, surgery and shop. Around 40 new properties will also be added to the village.

Retirement Villages Ltd’s Development Director Jami Puckering said: “This has been a very long process and we are delighted that the council has finally approved our plans for Elmbridge Village. In the short term, we recognise the construction period will be challenging for residents but we are already working on mitigating any disturbance. In the medium and longer term, the redevelopment will be the best possible outcome for the village and secure its future.

“Elmbridge Village is a key part of the history of Retirement Villages Ltd, as it was the first community developed. It therefore seems apt that in the company’s 30th anniversary year we will start the vital process of moving Elmbridge Village into the future.”

A timeline is currently being drawn up by Retirement Villages Ltd with work expected to start on site in the Autumn.