Willmott
Residential’s plans to deliver 560 new apartments across three landmark
buildings in Woking have been given the green light after borough councillors voted
to approve planning on the scheme.
The
company’s residential development brand Prime Place will develop the towers, designed
by Rolfe Judd architects at 17, 25 and 34 storeys in height, on Goldsworth
Road, close to the town centre and mainline train station with fast access to
London. The development, a major catalyst for the further regeneration of this
part of Woking that will follow, will also include 10,000 square metres of new
office space along with public realm improvements, retail space and new leisure
facilities.
It
adds to Willmott Residential’s existing pipeline of developing homes for sale
through Prime Place and build to rent through Be:here, with 7,500 units in
construction or pending development. By combining both Prime Place and Be:here
on developments, Willmott Residential can accelerate housing delivery by two
years on large schemes of over 500 homes.
The
Woking scheme builds on Willmott Residential’s current development track record
that includes leading the 1,176 home regeneration of Aberfeldy Village in Tower
Hamlets and being Brentford FC’s development partner for its 20,000 seat
stadium and 900 home masterplan.
Willmott
Residential’s Prime Place brand is also working with Cheshunt School to
cross-fund new facilities with 88 homes, and is development partner with
Westminster City Council to create the Moberly and Jubilee leisure centres at
no cost to the council by cross-funding the facilities with 155 homes on Kilburn
Lane and Lancefield Street.
Also,
Be:here is finalising the development of 118 homes for private rent at the site
of the Old Vinyl Factory in Hayes and is working with Ealing on cross-funding a
50 metre pool complex with build-to-rent homes in the borough. Earlier this
year, it also received planning permission for 600 build-to-rent homes in
Barking and is currently preparing a pre-planning application for residential
developments in Tulse Hill and Bromley.
Speaking
after planning was awarded in Woking, Willmott Residential chief executive Nic
Simpkin said:
“We’re delighted Woking Borough Councillors have approved
Prime Place’s vision for the regeneration of Goldsworth Road. It will provide new homes and office space for Woking and bring an attractive
outdoor space to the area around Goldsworth Road which all local residents and
visitors can make full use of. It underlines our ambition to be recognised for delivering
vibrant new homes, communities and places.”
Commenting
on the approval, Henry Lamprecht, associate director at Prime Place’s planning
advisors Curtin&Co said:
“The response that we have received from the local
community towards the regeneration of Goldsworth Road has been really positive.
Since the start of 2016 we have undertaken several consultation events in
Woking Town Centre, and have been delighted with the interest this has
generated from local residents. These proposals will greatly regenerate the
area around Goldsworth Road, and we are delighted to have played a part in
helping Prime Place to secure this consent.”