Controversial Flats Approved for Godalming High Street

Published on: 16 May, 2025
Updated on: 18 May, 2025

Approval was given by WBC to construct two floors above the Jack Phillips pub.

By Chris Caulfield

local democracy reporter

A “massive excessive development” in a Surrey conservation zone has been approved after it was decided it could actually improve the area.

The 1960s block above Fat Face and the Wetherspoon public house in Godalming High Street will be converted into nine flats – despite opponents raising fears the new builds would overlook neighbouring gardens and put pressure on town centre parking.

The block, described by one councillor as “hideous”, will have its second and third floors extended – with some flats having shared rooftop space after being unanimously passed by Waverley Borough Council’s Planning Committee on May 7.

The site is within the historic core of the Godalming Centre Conservation Area and next to a number of heritage listed buildings.

Godalming High Street Flats – Proposed Southern Elevation Plan

The developers, Ross Kemp – Queensbury Investments Ltd, will keep the ground-floor pub and shop, as well as the gym on the first floor.

Representing residents of Great George Street, one public speaker said they understood that “it was a really ugly building” with a “lot of room for improvement” but that this was not the best way to go about it.

She said: “It feels like there is massive excessive development.”

Adding: “If these roof terraces are going to be on the second and third floors then that is going to be looking straight over the rooftops and into our gardens.”

Godalming town council clerk Andy Jeffery added his voice against the plans saying it would prove harmful to the conservation area and “disrupt the traditional character and roofline of the Godalming Town Centre”.

The developers argued the building contributed nothing to the town centre and presented an “untidy appearance” adding the new plans would bring it more in line with the rest of the area.

She said it would make for a “better use of this key town centre site” and provide a good mix of new flats that will help contribute to annual targets – and bring new spend into the town.

The layout of the building, she added, would also be a significant upgrade.

Cllr Victoria Kiehl

Ward councillor Victoria Kiehl (Lib Dem, Godalming Central and Ockford) said “We can all acknowledge that the building in question is not in keeping with the appearance of many of the surrounding buildings.

“On the one hand any development will improve the way it looks within the area.

“But is the design the right one considering it’s within the conservation area within the historic area?

Residents who move into the flats will not be allowed to apply for annual parking permits within the town centre in an effort to keep them free for those driving into Godalming.

Cllr Carole Cockburn

Cllr Carole Cockburn (Con, Farnham Bourne) said: “In the sixties we got the music right but the architecture was hideously wrong. The original building of this is hideous, it’s soulless.

“We’ve got to be realistic. We don’t want to be building on our green fields. We don’t want to build anywhere but we have to and I’m afraid it’s got to be in our towns.

“I think this has been well thought through and I can understand the neighbours being worried but if you live in a town centre, you have should have different expectations because there are always going to be mixed uses.”