The 1960s square, the heart of Cranleigh Celebrations since the 1960s, was described by architects for the site’s owners as shabby and uninspiring. They claim it is in dire need of a makeover to enhance Cranleigh’s public realm.
During the debate by Waverley Planners, the term “Town” was frequently mentioned. It would appear that only some residents of Cranleigh now consider it a”Village!”
Backed by the Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce and despite strong opposition from some residents, the council planners have approved an application to redevelop Stocklund Square (SS) in the heart of the Town’s Conservation Area.
The Rashbone Trust can now forge ahead with a design that will almost obscure the range of shops and maisonettes from the high street that replaced Craneigh’s former much-loved railway station, which closed in the 1960s. The illustration below shows that the square will soon be dominated by”A large glass box” softened by timber cladding to host a large cafe.
Speaking for Architects OSPR of Farnham, Charlie Minty said the owners were mindful of the site’s importance. They said it had been considered “unviable” to move forward and enlarge the existing shops, making them too big for retail units. The square was currently a walkway where shoppers hurried to the car park. The proposed “lightweight designed” building would revitalize the existing shops in an underused square. He claimed the new cafe wouldn’t compete with other town businesses.
Stocklund Square, as it is now – was described as shabby and uninviting.
Cranleigh Cllr Liz Townsend stressed that Waverley did not own the project or the site; a private company owned it. She said many of the original parish council objections to “The Box” had been overcome by adding wooden cladding and some heritage railway features, including the clock. She hoped there would be minimal disruption to the high street and its residents.
Farnham’s Cllr Carole Cockburn said she liked the music from the ’60s but disliked the architecture, of which SS was an example. She said what could be achieved when the community worked with the developer was amazing, and she looked forward to visiting Cranleigh to have coffee with her former Waverley colleague, Cllr Mary Foryszewski.
Other planning committee members agreed with the officer’s recommendation to approve the scheme, which was granted unanimously.
How can they say the new ‘cafe’ won’t be competing with other businesses? The square already has Costa Coffee and Wild and Green! Not to mention Yangaz, the new place roughly opposite the post office and the yet to open cafe on the old David Manns site.
Yet again Cranleigh being altered by people that don’t have a bloody clue about our village- and yes it’s still a village not a town despite what newcomers here want to call it.
Oh I forgot to mention the cafe at 140!
As Andy Wood has said any new cafe will compete with existing establishments, all the establishments will be competing to attract the most customers in order not to go under. Stockland Square recently lost a cafe because they were unable to compete against those already in place such as Costa & Wild & Green.
I am a relatively newcomer to use Andy’s words as I only moved to the Village in 2021. Regardless of what some people think, Cranleigh is a Village the people who believe our village to be a town are developers who want to build on every bit of land they see, town planners (including some Councillors) who permit over development resulting in urban sprawl and Government inspectors who sit in an office looking at appeals often siding with developers without actually looking at the area
I must endorse the comments regarding slipping in the term “TOWN” when Village should be used. I don’t think that anyone who has lived in Cranleigh for even a short time would refer to our Village in that way. I suspect that it has been coined by “newcomers” and people who don’t really know the place. I’m sure the majority of villagers would agree. We all love the place despite planned traffic improvements and
“plans for the village” Village please not town.
Here at the Waverley Web we have always referred to Cranleigh as a village. However, we hear it referred to as a town more and more often these days.
Well it shouldn’t be referred to as a TOWN – It is now… thanks to all the Crappy development in the last 10 years – But due to its Agricultural Heritage and Rural area it can still fall into the “The Largest Village” category… Just – like Braunton In Devon which is comparible and equaly been destroyed by Huge Developements.
If you want to live in a TOWN go to Godalming/ Haselemere/Farnham – that have Public Transport and Health Facilties and Proper Transport Infrastructure
We know here in the Boondocks of Alfold that people that bought new homes only a few months ago are already putting up the properties for Sale as there is NOTHING Here for young Families we really WERE a SMALL RURAL VILLAGE
We don’t need another café. We have too many restaurants and cafés in the immediate vicinity. The objective is really to draw people in? Makes zero sense. Costa and wild & green has us covered for Stockland square drinks and a glass box will be nothing but a big eyesore to have to manoeuvre around. Keep it simple. Give us back a fountain and add more seating.
Was there once a fountain in SS?