Plans for 450 new homes on former gas works site

There are plans for more than 450 new homes on the site

Plans for more than 450 new homes on the site of a former Surrey gas works will be put to the public.

The site, in East Street, Epsom, was formerly the home of the Epsom and Ewell Gas Company, established in 1847.

Plans by Zenith Land include removing the historic gas infrastructure and creating new facilities for gas distribution.

They also include a new home for the Laine Theatre Arts dance and drama training college, as well as the homes.

Residents can attend drop-in sessions to see the plans and learn more about them.

The new homes will be spread over five buildings, and developers claim the plans will "transform the site into a new community in the heart of Epsom town centre".

Drop-in sessions will take place on 13 and 16 July at Epsom Methodist Church.

A consultation is open until 30 July.

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council agreed a deed of easement with the site developer in June.

It means any development can be accessed via the Rainbow Leisure Centre and that in return, the council will have access across the gas works site from the current Hook Road car park entrance.

The council said the deed of easement was conditional, which means it will not be completed or take effect until the developer is granted planning permission. The council said this was to ensure it can maintain its two separate independent capacities as landowner and as the local planning authority.

Speaking about the deed of easement, Hannah Dalton, vice chair of the council's strategy and resources committee, said: "This is an excellent example of the council working in partnership with other landowners and we hope that, as a result of this decision, we can deliver wider benefits for the community through appropriate high-quality redevelopment and regeneration of the SGN Gas Works site."