Plans for new shops, homes and community facilities in Merstham have been submitted by Reigate and Banstead Borough Council. The plans are part of a multi-million pound scheme to regenerate the Portland Drive area, in partnership with Raven Housing Trust and Surrey County Council.

One of the applications submitted is for a new food store and four shops on the council-owned Iron Horse pub site, with ten shared equity flats above. The flats are to be built on behalf of Raven, to provide more homes that local people can afford.

The other application is for four more units for restaurants/takeaways and a new purpose-built community centre on part of 'The Triangle,' at the junction of Portland Drive and Bletchingley Road. The centre plan includes space for Merstham library, a youth skills centre, training rooms, a café, public IT resources and drop-in advice facilities. Raven has already started building 40 new homes in Purbeck Close - 11 affordable rented, 19 shared ownership and ten for open market sale.

It has also secured outline planning permission to redevelop Portland Drive flats and shops to provide 50 market houses and flats.

Natalie Bramhall, borough council executive member for property and regeneration, said: "I hope Merstham residents are as pleased as I am that we’ve reached this important stage in what has been a very complex project.”

Coun Bramhall said: “It marks a significant step forward in our promise to provide new shops, better housing and more accessible facilities to improve the area for local people. “I await the outcome of the applications with great interest."

Surrey County Council cabinet member for business services, Denise Le Gal, said: "Making Surrey a better place to live and work is what we’re all about, and this joint project promises to deliver real benefits for the Merstham community by promoting economic growth, helping families thrive and creating opportunities for young people."

A decision on the applications is expected in early summer. If the plans are approved, developers will be invited to tender to build the schemes. Construction is expected to get underway later this year, and be complete in the winter of 2015.

The plans can be viewed online at Reigate and Banstead Borough Council’s website: www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk They are also available for viewing at the Town Hall in Reigate.