Esher’s Civic Heart – update on Civic Centre

11 November

Civic Centre update

Our Esher vision, as supported by local businesses and residents, sets out community aspirations for Esher to be a vibrant town centre, providing residents and visitors with the opportunity to socialise, to come together and take part in shared activities. 

Incorporated within this vision is the capacity for EBC to support the need for more homes in the borough by offering the Civic Centre site for housing.

Residents will be aware that the potential redevelopment of the Civic Centre is currently being considered in the context of local government reorganisation, which will see the creation of 2 unitary authorities in Surrey. 

The Civic Centre site continues to play a key role in supporting Esher’s vision and placemaking ambitions. We therefore believe it is both appropriate and necessary to continue exploring the available options for its future.

At the November Elmbridge Cabinet meeting, Councillors will consider the funding needed to work with a property consultant to assess the Civic Centre site for housing development within the context of the Esher vision.

Significant housing targets

The demand for new homes remains strong across the country, including in Elmbridge. The government continues to set ambitious targets to address the housing crisis, and development in Elmbridge plays a vital role in meeting those goals. We are also firmly committed to supporting the delivery of affordable housing within the borough

The Civic Centre site presents us with an opportunity to provide extra homes in Esher and to deliver on improved connectivity to the town – providing a community meeting point for markets and events currently lacking in the town. 

For local residents and businesses, we foresee economic benefits for the high street, and improved connectivity around Esher town centre, as well as much needed housing.

We have maintained regular communication with our tenants at the Civic Centre to provide reassurance around the project timeline. Esher Bowls Club will not be included in any site assessment. They remain a vibrant and active club, committed to expanding their membership and open to opportunities for collaboration, including merging with Walton Bowls club.

The November Cabinet report is available to read through our website. 

Cllr Simon Waugh, Leisure, Portfolio Holder for Culture & Commercial Strategy

11 March 2025 

Update

The delay on the proposed report on the Civic Centre site in Esher will continue as we work through the implications of the local government reorganisation. 

We will update you further in the coming weeks.

28 January 2025 

Update 

Due to Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation and the changes this will bring to Elmbridge as well as councils across Surrey and England, we have made the decision to have a short delay on the proposed report on the Civic Centre site in Esher from February Cabinet meeting to March’s meeting.

As you know, we have been working through business plans to assess the options for the Civic Centre site, either move to an existing office building and redevelop the Civic Centre land for housing or build a new Civic Centre on the same site and redevelop the land for housing. However, the probable changes to local government in Surrey and the pace of those changes mean that it is prudent to have a short delay in our report.

We remain committed to our vision for Esher as the civic heart of the borough. The Civic Centre site remains the key to unlocking that vision. When we engaged with local residents and businesses, you told us that any potential development of the Civic Centre should reflect the council’s commitment to visible, transparent, and accountable governance – we wholeheartedly support this, and this commitment has also contributed to our decision to delay.

We thank you for your patience and we will update you again when we know more about the pace of Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey.

Cllr Mike Rollings, Leader, Elmbridge Borough Council

Cllr Simon Waugh, Deputy Leader, Elmbridge Borough Council

18 November 2024 

Update: Work is continuing on the options for the Civic Centre, either move to an existing office building and redevelop the Civic Centre land for housing or build a new Civic Centre on the same site and redevelop the land for housing.

We had planned to present these options to Cabinet in November and Council in December. However, we require additional time to thoroughly develop and cost the options to support the project business case. Consequently, the proposal will now be presented to Cabinet in February 2025.

18 September 2024

Update

Cabinet approved this proposal. This will now go to October Council for final agreement.

With a new Elmbridge Cabinet established in May this year, it’s only prudent to return to Cabinet to provide an update on the options under consideration for the future of the Civic Centre, and its role within the Esher vision.

At Elmbridge’s September Cabinet meeting, Councillors will be discussing funding to evaluate the future of the Civic Centre building in Esher.

The Civic Centre serves Elmbridge Borough Council employees, Surrey Police, Elmbridge Citizens Advice, as well as two private companies renting space.

In November 2023, Councillors agreed with a residents consultation that in order to establish Esher as the civic heart of Elmbridge, the Civic Centre needs to be more accessible and integrated into the High Street; it needs to serve its employees, as well as its residents and contribute to the vitality of the high street.

In the last few months, exploration work has been undertaken to determine whether to construct a new Civic Centre or relocate to a building that better aligns with the services we offer residents, meets the needs of our employees, accommodates our partners, and allows for the most efficient use of space in a central town location.

In addition to the financials, assessments will consider the following:

• our contribution to the economy of Esher High Street
• our role as a key local employer
• our carbon neutral ambitions
• securing Surrey Police presence at a Civic Hub
• supporting the Esher Town Centre vision, including providing much needed play space
• implementing at a pace that minimises the disruption to our employees, partners, and our residents as user of the services we provide. 

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.

Following the Cabinet’s decision in September and Council’s decision in October, a further report will be presented to Cabinet in November for recommendation to December’s Council meeting.

For more information

You can read the September Cabinet report through our website.

The meeting on 18 September will also be webcast.