PRIME REDEVELOPMENT SITE ADJOINING THE MEADS IN FARNBOROUGH TOWN CENTRE GETS CONSENT

Rushmoor Borough Council’s Planning Committee has resolved to grant planning permission for the proposed development to transform the land adjacent to The Meads Shopping Centre in Farnborough.

The proposed scheme for the site, situated on the land next to the shopping centre and the site of the former Debenhams store, features 33,000 sq ft of new shopping and restaurants divided into a range unit sizes, a 24,000 sq ft leisure box on first floor, 68 apartments with a private communal garden, parking and a bridge link to the car park above The Gym and Sainsbury’s serving the residents of apartments on the adjacent site.

This is the next phase in the regeneration of the 14-acre town centre site by Key Property Investments (KPI), a joint venture between leading UK developer St. Modwen and Kuwait based Salhia Real Estate Company. The Sainsbury’s, town centre retail/leisure and residential apartments scheme was completed in 2010 and the new cinema and restaurants followed in summer 2015. This next phase will connect these schemes and extend the town’s offer further, whilst bringing even more people to live in and revitalise the town centre.

Philip Robins, Head of Major Projects (South-East) at St. Modwen said: “The latest phase of proposed development is a key part of our multi-million-pound regeneration of Farnborough town centre, and we are pleased that this important milestone was successful. We can now look to press ahead with our discussions to secure new retail and leisure operators with the aim of achieving a start on site towards the end of the year.”

Paul Shackley, Chief Executive of Rushmoor Borough Council, said: “Councillors were unanimous in their support for this exciting scheme, and I know that they are very keen for work to begin on this phase as soon as possible. Once completed it will represent another significant milestone in the regeneration of Farnborough town centre.”