Update on plans to transform civic centre in heart of Surrey town into 400 homes

Outside view of Elmbridge Civic Centre, Esher.
-Credit: (Image: Emily Coady-Stemp)


Plans to transform a Surrey council's head office into 400 homes will be further explored, with more funding approved. Elmbridge Borough Council has earmarked its Civic Centre site as a location for hundreds of homes to help meet demand in the borough.

Although the plans are still in the early stages, work can now continue into how to make the most of the site in Esher High Street. The council included the civic centre in in its draft plan, which sets out where homes will be built, for 2030.

A council spokesperson said: “Delivering much needed housing is a priority for Elmbridge Borough Council and the requirement for both town centre and affordable homes that meet local demands will also be considered as part of the future of the Civic Centre.”

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The council has said the Civic Centre needs to be “more accessible and integrated” to contribute to the “vitality” of the High Street, with Esher as the “civic heart” of Elmbridge.

Not only the council’s offices, the Civic Centre is also home to Surrey Police, Elmbridge Citizens Advice and two private companies renting space. Esher Bowls Club, which is accessed via the civic centre car park, is also a key stakeholder in considerations of the building’s future. These groups will be updated in regular meetings on the plans.

The council has approved sending a further £110,000 to explore the future of its headquarters before a proposal is scheduled in November. The budget includes £40,000 for a consultancy firm and money for surveys, space planning and project management.

Leadership of the council changed in May 2024, with Bruce McDonald losing his seat in the local election, he was quickly replaced with Cllr Mike Rollings. Since then officers have recommended reconsidering the objectives of the Civic Centre.

Various options for the council’s future home have been put on the table since early 2022 when the building was declared “not fit for purpose”. Possibilities included demolishing the building and creating a smaller office block, refurbishing the Civic Centre, or relocating the council to another site in Esher.

With refurbishing the Civic Centre now wiped off the drawing board, EBC has been looking at potential alternative offices in Esher since spring 2024. Officers noted there is a risk that neither relocating or rebuilding is financially viable, but added ongoing reviews will ensure the project remains feasible.

A decision on the future of the Civic Centre and the home of EBC is scheduled for full council in December 2024.

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