TDCouncil agrees to sell Johnsdale car park in Oxted to St William
Tandridge District Council has exchanged contracts to sell Johnsdale car park in Oxted to developer St William, subject to conditions. Following St William securing planning consent to provide homes on the adjacent gasholder site earlier this month, St William is now in the process of preparing a new planning application for a comprehensive residential redevelopment of both the gasholder and car park sites. St William is expected to carry out a consultation in late February/early March, with a planning application expected to be submitted afterwards.
The Council took independent advice to ensure the £750,000 sale offered value for money. It will also provide greater opportunity for a more coherent and cohesive housing scheme and meet the Council’s objective of enhancing the town centre.
Johnsdale car park has 37 spaces for business permit holders who also have access to Ellice Road car park, in Oxted. Following the introduction of ticketless parking last year, there is space to accommodate the business permit holders there.
The Council will shortly submit a planning application to create two additional decks at Ellice Road car park, which means in the longer term there will be more parking provision for residents, visitors and local businesses.
The redevelopment of the gasholder site and providing additional parking in Ellice Road are part of the RegenOxted programme, an ambitious plan to revitalise the town, which also includes an Urban Redesign for Station Road East and West and the delivery of a business hub to support and grow local businesses.
Councillor Martin Fisher, Leader of the Council, said: “This sale offers the best opportunity to deliver a cohesive redevelopment of the gasholder and Johnsdale car park, which also meets our requirement to make the best use of brownfield land. In addition this means works can take place in a similar timeframe causing less disruption to local residents. We are committed to enhancing the vitality and viability of our town centres and RegenOxted will deliver that for the benefit of local businesses and people.”