SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL UNVEIL PLANS FOR NEW HOUSING
Surrey County Council has announced plans to develop four council-owned sites into new housing, including some supported accommodation for people with mental health needs.
The proposals aim to help meet local need for housing in four areas – Merstham, Great Bookham, Cranleigh and Staines. A portion of the homes will be self-contained apartments where people with mental health needs will receive care and support to help them thrive in their communities.
Addressing the county council’s Cabinet, Sinead Mooney, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Housing plays a fundamental part in people’s wellbeing, their employment, health and relationships. Good quality housing helps contribute to all of that and to a thriving and sustainable workforce and economy. There are strong economic, health and community drivers for seeking to improve housing, accommodation and homes in Surrey.”
Since the pandemic, the need for mental health support has grown. In January 2020, the council was supporting 1,621 people with mental health as their primary social care need. By May this year, that number had doubled to 3,212.
The supported accommodation will be integrated within the wider developments to foster inclusive communities where all residents feel welcome. The initiative is part of the council’s wider drive to improve access to affordable housing and make best use of its land, while supporting vulnerable people to live well and independently.
The council aims to work with experienced developers to bring the plans to life without the need for significant upfront capital investment. In return for access to the land, the developer would build the homes on the council’s behalf.
On 27 May, the council’s Cabinet approved plans to begin the search for a development partner for the four sites.
The proposals aim to complement the work of district and borough councils in increasing the supply of general housing in Surrey. While the final number of homes at each site – and the mix of general housing and supported accommodation – will be confirmed during the bidding process, the council envisages around 20 to 30 homes per site, or around 100 in total.
The plans would bring former care home sites back into use, following careful consideration of how the land can best serve the needs of Surrey residents. 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.
Cllr Mooney continued: “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.
“We know that access to stable housing is a cornerstone of wellbeing for all and these schemes will enable Surrey to work with a developer to ensure we continue to improve our housing offer. For people with mental health needs, the right housing combined with the right support can be life changing. It could mean the difference between recovery and relapse, and between isolation and inclusion.”
As the plans develop, engagement will be stepped up with local residents and others to build support for the developments. The Cabinet paper can be found on the council’s website (item 8).
