Investing in Merstham
New Homes
40 new homes are currently being built by Raven Housing Trust on the Purbeck Close site, just off Portland Drive. The homes will be a mixture of social rented and shared ownership units. The first of these homes will be ready to move into in Spring 2015, with the final phase due for completion in Spring 2016.
A further 10 new shared ownership flats will be built above the shops on the "Iron Horse" site. Work is due to start Spring 2015 with completion in Spring 2016.
Once the new shops are open, the existing parade of shops (and flats above) on Portland Drive will be demolished. Outline planning permission is in place to build 48 new homes on this site. The proposed new homes will be a mix of 1 and 2-bedroom flats, and 2 and 3-bedroom houses, along with parking and some changes to the road layout in Portland Drive. The homes will be available for sale on the open market, subject to private development, from 2017 onwards.
New shops and restaurants
Early in 2016 Morrisons will be opening a local store selling fresh produce on the "Iron Horse" site. Some of the existing shops on Portland Drive will relocate into the new retail units next to Morrisons: Day Lewis pharmacy, William Hill bookmakers and Goodrich dry cleaners.
On the "Triangle site" opposite, a further 4 retail/food outlets will open in 2016. Details of the tenants will be announced soon. The existing parade of shops in Portland Drive will remain in place until the new shops open.
New Community Facilities
Work will start on the construction of a new community building on the "Triangle site" in Spring 2015. The building will include a library, youth centre, café, public computers, and a range of flexible community rooms - available for use by local organisations and services. The existing library will stay open until the new facilities are ready, in Spring 2016.