Plans approved to redevelop former Kimberley Clark offices

By David Grantham, 17 Oct 2023

• Impression from planning documents (DNA Architecture)

An office building just down from the level crossing in Reigate is to be redeveloped into something twice the size, but with less space for parking.

Douglas House, at 40 London Road, will be transformed into a building with a gross internal floor area of 6,553 square metres, as against the existing 2,905, under plans (Opens in a new window) submitted by Metro Property Unit Trust and now approved by Reigate & Banstead's planning committee. (Opens in a new window)

The building is expected to accommodate up to 420 full-time-equivalent jobs, once operational.

A council report to Reigate & Bantead's planning committee on 27 September noted that the 59 parking spaces to be provided were "well short" of the maximum standards set out in the borough's planning policy.

But the report (Opens in a new window) continued: "However the standards are just that, a maximum, and the site is in a highly sustainable location close to Reigate train station and within the town centre boundary. The surrounding roads are also well controlled with regard to on street parking restrictions.

"No objection has been raised by Surrey County Council as the highway authority in relation to access arrangements and parking provision, subject to a legal agreement to secure the submission and implementation of a travel plan and contribution towards the provision of a car club in the locality.

"These measures will enable the promotion of sustainable forms of transport and reduce the demand for on-site parking and reduce the potential overspill of cars into the surrounding road network."

But in the meeting, Cllr Michael Blacker (Con, Reigate), expressed concern about the reduction in car parking spaces from the current 87 to the proposed 59.

He said: "I think the whole concept of this parking number for a building of this size is absolutely ridiculous, and to me it's unacceptable. [I] love the building, want to see an office building of quality, but we've got to have a sensible approach to the car parking otherwise we're going to flood all our local roads with extra cars."

Cllr Kate Fairhurst (Con, Reigate) said she was "really excited" about something happening to the site, which she said was "covered with rubbish and vandalism", but also had concerns about the reduction in parking spaces.

She said: "It would be an absolute joy to live in a world where people would use public transport more, and that would just be amazing, but in the absence of it being more effective, more reliable, have more investment, and actually be cheaper, people will still get in their cars."

Cllr Fairhurst added that she did not think that a lack of parking spaces could come before public transport improvements.

On the need for office space, the planning report said: "The application submission has identified a demand and lack of supply for high quality office space and the existing building is not capable of meeting this demand.

"The council’s planning policy team has also noted the additional benefits such as higher value jobs and to help with ensuring the vitality of Reigate town centre, close to the train station."

The planning report recommended approval be granted subject to conditions. Councillors voted to do that by 7 votes to 1, with 5 abstentions.

The building was formerly leased by Kimberley Clark who relocated to Walton Oaks, Tadworth, in 2022.

• The existing site

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