Woking land deal to "substantially improve" bankrupt council's financial position
A major land deal was approved that could help redevelop two key Woking sites and “substantially improve” the bankrupt authority’s financial position.
Woking Borough Council has so far failed to push through planning permission to rebuild the Goldsworth Road Industrial Estate – even threatening to take itself to court after its own councillors refused the proposals.
Now one of the final hurdles has been overcome after a new, separate, site was sold to allow contracted tenants to swap.
CMS House in Poole Road, Woking, will be split into two distinct sites.
The north will be used to rehouse tenants, understood to be Ceramic Design from across town. The south of the building split and prepared for sale to an investor or rental, likely as storage or light industrial.
Council documents presented to the Thursday, December 14 executive committee read: “The proposed disposal will facilitate the relocation of this tenant, which will enable the redevelopment of the Goldsworth Road Industrial Estate.
“The redevelopment of this estate will substantially improve the council’s financial position.
“The purchaser has a relocation clause in its existing lease at Goldsworth Road Industrial Estate, which means that relocating them is necessary in order to get vacant possession of their unit.
“Relocation to CMS House is the only feasible option.
“This will fulfil the terms of the relocation clause and enable the estate to be redeveloped.”
The sale, councillors heard, will generate cash and improve Goldsworth Road Industrial Estate’s value.
It will also allow both sites to be modernised and more energy efficient.
In September, Woking Borough Council officials threatened to take itself to court for refusing its own planning application to tear down Goldsworth Industrial Estate and replace it with modern warehousing.
The council had applied to replace the estate due to “major issues with the existing buildings, including poor energy efficiency, dated facilities and mechanical and electrical systems” that made it “difficult to let”.
Councillor Dale Roberts, portfolio holder for asset regeneration, said: “Ceramic Design currently leases a unit in Goldsworth Road Industrial Estate – itself in urgent need of redevelopment to meet minimum energy efficiency standards, with some units not legally letable by 2026, and prospective developers would prefer, if not require, vacant possessions.”
Alternative options were considered, he said, but this delivered both best value and use for the site.
Leader of the council, Cllr Ann-Marie Barker said: “It does seem a very logical proposal given the need to move a tenant from the Goldsworth Road Industrial Estate.”
She added: “They need a new location, this premises is available, it is owned by the council and it seems very sensible…it’s positive to hear we are getting a good price for that and we can let out the other part of those premises as well.”
Work still needs to be carried out to transform CMS House into two separate buildings – as part of it is in a poor state.
It is expected to take several months, the meeting heard, and would include a complete refit.
No money will be committed to that project until the deal is over the line with the rear of the building expected to hit the market next summer.