Carter Jonas Achieves Successful Planning Appeal Outcome

Posted by Carter Jonas - Building Consultancy on 21st January 2022 -

Carter Jonas has won a planning appeal on behalf of EcoWorld London, allowing EcoWorld to progress with its plans to transform Woking town centre. Construction work is due to commence later this year.

The regeneration scheme will create over 900 new homes (including affordable housing), ground floor units for a variety of businesses, a homeless shelter for local charity the York Road Project and a new home for the Woking Railway Athletic Club. The development, designed by JTP, features tall buildings up to 37-storeys adding to Woking’s emerging tall building skyline.

A pedestrianised ‘green’ street is at the centre of the scheme and will feature accessible public space, substantial planting and play features surrounded by new shops and cafés. New pedestrian and cycle connections will be created to encourage greener travel. Additionally the scheme will provide 1,000 secure cycle spaces, a public cycle repair station and public cycle parking within the landscaped areas.

Approximately 250 local jobs will be created by the development. EcoWorld London will invest more than £10m in local infrastructure and it is anticipated that the scheme will result in a £7m pa increase in local spend in the town. 

Katy Davis, Head of Planning at Carter Jonas in London who acted as Expert Witness at the Inquiry, commented, “We are very pleased to achieve this result on behalf of EcoWorld. The vision for Woking town centre is entirely in line with aspirations for green, community-orientated living. The scheme will provide a huge boost for the town and continue the physical transformation of future-facing Woking.”

Conor McGahon, Managing Director of EcoWorld London commented, “We at EcoWorld London are totally committed to creating positive change for Woking and are very pleased to be granted planning permission to progress with our exciting plans for the town centre. We look forward to working closely with the Council and community as we deliver much-needed new homes, biodiverse green spaces and retail, set within extensive pedestrian-friendly public space for everyone to enjoy.”

Carter Jonas’ Planning team also acts for EcoWorld London in the context of the Brentford Community Stadium project that is in its final phase of development.