The redevelopment of the former Rose & Young site in Caterham has been a long standing objective of the Council and is one of the sites in the Caterham Masterplan. The privately-owned site had remained unoccupied for many years and the run-down appearance of the land and building was affecting the appearance and vitality of the town centre.
Steps were taken by the Council to acquire the land through a compulsory purchase order and pursue a scheme to provide a hotel, restaurant and retail unit for which planning permission was granted in 2016.
Planning permission for an alternative scheme was also granted in 2016 (amended scheme approved in 2018). This permission is for a mix of 48 flats and a supermarket on the ground floor and is the scheme which will be delivered following the site’s acquisition by the Clarion Housing Group (CHG), a Housing Association committed to providing affordable housing.
Work has started on site and the flats (a mix of 1,2 and 3 beds) will be available for affordable rent to eligible households registered on Homechoice. The scheme will now assist in meeting the demand for affordable homes to rent in Caterham and will no longer be provided as shared ownership, as originally planned.
To be considered for these properties or for other affordable homes to rent in the district, please register for Homechoice.
It had been anticipated that the scheme would complete in late 2020, but during 2019 one of the companies involved in the development went into administration and work temporarily ceased on site.
Clarion Housing obtained planning approval for a variation to the original scheme in December 2020. The amendment has resulted in a slight increase in the height of the building, to accommodate increased floor to ceiling heights to allow for additional fire protection measures.
The handover of the 48 flats is expected to occur by the end of January 2024 based on the progress.