Uncertain future for Surrey shopping centre as no further development plans put forward

Residents have claimed “it is unacceptable” the developers have not put forward more plans to modernise Hersham Green shopping centre.

Nearly eight months have passed since the original planning application, which featured 109 homes on Waitrose’ car park, was unanimously rejected by Elmbridge Borough Council’s planning committee in October 2024.

Quadrant Repurpose, the developers, have not tried to appeal the decision but say they remain committed to investing in the centre.

“There is an obvious decline in what was a viable and valuable asset to the community,” a residents’ newsletter read from June 9.

“This is clearly evidenced by the physical deterioration of the fabric of the centre and the 40 per cent of the shop units are now empty since the purchase of the site in May 2021.”

Quadrant said it has offered all tenants new leases.

But according to a letter published in April, some tenants are opting not to stay in the shopping centre due to the uncertainty over the much-needed investment in the site after the planning refusal.

The newsletter claims the three elected councillors, the council’s planning department and local residents’ groups have tried over several months to enter into some dialogue with the developers but argue “all attempts have failed, this is unacceptable”.

Developers argued throughout the planning process they need to deliver new homes to help the investment and ensure the centre will meet new environmental standards coming into force in 2028.

They claimed without the investment they would not be able to legally let the units after 2028.

A Quadrant spokesperson said: “We remain committed to investing in Hersham Green Shopping Centre. We have been exploring the options open to us since our application was refused.

“This is a complicated process and is taking time.

“We will consult the community fully on the next steps in due course and look forward to working with officers, local councillors and residents.”