Exciting Plans for Cranleigh’s High Street Revitalisation Submitted
New proposals have been submitted to Waverley Borough Council aimed at revitalising areas around Cranleigh’s High Street.
These plans include a new café in an updated public square and transforming a historic department store into residential and retail spaces.
Stocklund Square Transformation
Stocklund Square, located between Sainsbury’s and Pizza Express, is set to undergo a significant makeover. The plans involve demolishing the existing pavilions and pergola to make way for a new café with outdoor seating, street furniture, and a canopy.
The updated square will feature a covered walkway, tree planters, sculptured seating, and cycle stands. The new café will include a kitchen, serving area, toilets, and seating for nearly 50 customers inside, with additional outdoor seating.
Developers describe Stocklund Square as a typical 1970s shopping precinct and aim to transform it into a vibrant and attractive space. They believe the proposal will enhance Cranleigh’s vitality, making efficient use of the land and supporting the village’s role as a vibrant community hub.
Reviving the Former Manns Department Store
The former Manns department store, with over 130 years of history, is also set for a revival.
Plans have been submitted to convert and extend the first and second floors into seven one-bedroom flats. The ground floor will remain retail space, divided into three smaller units to attract new businesses.
Two of these units already have prospective tenants, pending contract agreements.
Manns, which closed in 2021, is described as a “well-known and much-loved feature” of the High Street.
Property owner James Duffy’s proposal aims to preserve the retail history of the site while meeting the demand for one-bedroom rental properties in the village.
The building’s existing front section will be refurbished, and the upper floor extensions will be designed to respect the building’s heritage.
These exciting developments promise to breathe new life into Cranleigh’s High Street, enhancing both its commercial appeal and residential offerings.