Redevelopment of empty shop unit to run into 2026

Waverley Borough Council approved redevelopment plans for the site last year which has been empty since 2021

Plans to redevelop a shop unit in Surrey which has been empty since 2021 are set to run deep into next year, the local council has said.

In August last year Waverley Borough Council approved plans to put a restaurant at the former M&Co shop in Godalming High Street, while homes for the site are also planned.

This week the council's overview and scrutiny committee learned that the restaurant is not expected to open until 2026 and the planned homes still require further approvals.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, this update left members of the opposition-chaired committee "very concerned", particularly as extra money is needed for the project.

Conservative councillor, Jane Austin, said: "This is a sticky topic politically for the administration because it is costing an awful lot of money and is taking a very long time."

The council bought the site in 2022 with an original budget of £2.2m that has soared since.

The committee chair added: "I'm just pretty shocked actually by this, I've described it as a money pit before and it's just getting worse. I'm sorry, I need to be honest.

"It just feels very concerning when we hear about more delays and more cost."

Permissions for the homes, which will be social and affordable if built, are expected before the end of this year.

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