‘Later Living’ Home Planned For Over-60s In Godalming

Published on: 2 Oct, 2025
Updated on: 4 Oct, 2025

New later-living homes will be built on the Station Road site in Godalming. (Image Google)

By Chris Caulfield

local democracy reporting service

A 56-room “later living” home has been unanimously approved after being praised for its vision of bringing much-needed sustainable housing into Godalming town centre.

Pegasus will build the new home on the former site of the Mountain House office block in Station Road, once it has been demolished.

In its place will be a building providing 56 new homes for people aged 60 and over. The project will not only add to the economic viability of the town centre but could help free up family homes as people decide to downsize, Waverley Borough Council’s planning committee heard on Wednesday, October 1.

Tim Spencer, of Pegasus Homes, said: “Pegasus is a developer of homes for people in their later lives and has developed and operated around 40 communities predominantly in the south east including a site in Cranleigh.

“Each of our developments is unique and designed to consider the site, neighbours ,the surrounding environment and the local context.”

He said Pegasus had worked with both the borough and town councils to refine the designs and fix any issues “in order to put the best possible development in front of you today” and said the site was visually important given its key location between the station and the town centre.

He said: “We want to create an attractive building that enhances this part of Godalming while also respecting the industrial heritage of this part of town,” adding that the green credentials of the project included air source heat pumps, green roof and rain water harvesting.

Spencer told the meeting: “It will deliver much needed housing, particularly to older residents, and as these residents downsize they free up occupied family homes which will have a positive effect of alleviating pressure on greenfield sites. It will unlock meaningful economic benefits as our residents support local business and facilities.

“Most important to us is the potential to deliver homes in an environment that enables those in their later life to live in Godalming on their own terms and with their independence supported within a caring community.”

Cllr Penny Rivers

Cllr Penny Rivers (Lib Dem, Godalming North) said: “It’s a truly sustainable location, it is steps from the high street and steps from Godalming station and adds value to housing to our town.”

Cllr Carole Cockburn (Conservative, Farnham Bourne) said: ”It’s the very definition of a sustainable location.”

Cllr Carole Cockburn

She said the developers working with the council to take into account the surrounding area “should be used as a model” for others to follow, adding “You can walk to the station or town centre.”

As part of the approved plans Pegasus Homes has agreed to pay £82,000 in contributions for affordable housing.