January start for work on the Centre?
Work on the new Walton town centre development could begin in January , developers O&H have announced.
On Wednesday, members of Elmbridge Borough Council. gave their support for the handover for the scheme from Frogmore to O&H, and, while officials at the Civic Centre have yet to give the final go ahead, it looks likely that the bulldozers will move in after Christmas.
After the behind-closed-doors meeting, Mike Lockwood, Chief Executive of Elmbridge Borough Council, said " The council was unanimous in its support, across all political spectrums, in welcoming the O&H Group.
O&H a privately owned group, has been trading for more than 20 years. Their portfolio includes the Sir Norman Foster Building , Waterside point near the Albert Bridge, and the Kings Road shopping centre Chelsea, as well as a new, 20,000 population town near Peterborough- still under construction. They also own the non-operational property interests in Hanson Plc.
"They have a track record in residential commercial developments and have their own contracted arm." Mr. Lockwood said. "We had a very positive initial meeting with them. They'll do the whole development and won't have to rely on anyone."
"This is a big step towards making Walton the town it should be. It's the start of the process and not the end."
Contracts have been exchanged between the two developers, and O&H will inform the council in more detail of the timescale of events later this month.
A spokesperson for O&H said the company was looking forwards to working on the project in partnership with the council, adding: "While it's still early days, our aim is to start on the site just after Christmas, with the aim of having all the retail units open by Christmas 2005."
Mr. Lockwood said he wanted to thank Walton's traders and residents for their patience, and said the council was working with county and borough councillors to see what can be done in the town over the Christmas period.
He said this is likely to include a donation towards Christmas lights, and also street signs.
Walton councillor Gordon Chubb said the emergence of O&H was the best Christmas present Walton had received in many years. "After months of disappointment, which has depressed traders and public in Walton, it appears that a white knight in the form of O&H properties of Chelsea has suddenly emerged to ride to the aid of the town," he said. "O&H have shown a degree of enthusiasm not experienced in recent times by out bidding other parties allegedly interested in buying the lease from Frogmore, who have failed to live up to their promises and have left the Phase Two site in a derelict state."
"From a position of deep despair light has suddenly appeared on the horizon."
Source: Walton and Hersham News and Mail
On Wednesday, members of Elmbridge Borough Council. gave their support for the handover for the scheme from Frogmore to O&H, and, while officials at the Civic Centre have yet to give the final go ahead, it looks likely that the bulldozers will move in after Christmas.
After the behind-closed-doors meeting, Mike Lockwood, Chief Executive of Elmbridge Borough Council, said " The council was unanimous in its support, across all political spectrums, in welcoming the O&H Group.
O&H a privately owned group, has been trading for more than 20 years. Their portfolio includes the Sir Norman Foster Building , Waterside point near the Albert Bridge, and the Kings Road shopping centre Chelsea, as well as a new, 20,000 population town near Peterborough- still under construction. They also own the non-operational property interests in Hanson Plc.
"They have a track record in residential commercial developments and have their own contracted arm." Mr. Lockwood said. "We had a very positive initial meeting with them. They'll do the whole development and won't have to rely on anyone."
"This is a big step towards making Walton the town it should be. It's the start of the process and not the end."
Contracts have been exchanged between the two developers, and O&H will inform the council in more detail of the timescale of events later this month.
A spokesperson for O&H said the company was looking forwards to working on the project in partnership with the council, adding: "While it's still early days, our aim is to start on the site just after Christmas, with the aim of having all the retail units open by Christmas 2005."
Mr. Lockwood said he wanted to thank Walton's traders and residents for their patience, and said the council was working with county and borough councillors to see what can be done in the town over the Christmas period.
He said this is likely to include a donation towards Christmas lights, and also street signs.
Walton councillor Gordon Chubb said the emergence of O&H was the best Christmas present Walton had received in many years. "After months of disappointment, which has depressed traders and public in Walton, it appears that a white knight in the form of O&H properties of Chelsea has suddenly emerged to ride to the aid of the town," he said. "O&H have shown a degree of enthusiasm not experienced in recent times by out bidding other parties allegedly interested in buying the lease from Frogmore, who have failed to live up to their promises and have left the Phase Two site in a derelict state."
"From a position of deep despair light has suddenly appeared on the horizon."
Source: Walton and Hersham News and Mail
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