New 28-Storey Twin Towers Proposed for Woking Town Centre
The Changing Skyline of Chobham Road
Woking’s town centre skyline could be set for another dramatic transformation as developers unveil ambitious plans for a new dual-tower skyscraper right next to Jubilee Square. Broad Street Real Estate has announced early proposals to redevelop the Cleary Court site on Chobham Road into an interconnected 16 and 28-storey complex. This development would stand as a prominent landmark, departing from the lower-rise architecture found in neighbouring Guildford or the rural charm of East Horsley. The project intends to deliver 463 co-living units alongside 111 residential apartments. With such a massive influx of modern, compact living spaces, local construction trends are expected to shift. The demand for specialised trades is already rising; local bathroom fitters are anticipating a busy period as these new builds require state-of-the-art installations. Furthermore, existing homeowners nearby are increasingly seeking stylish bathroom refurbishment projects to ensure their traditional properties retain competitive market value against these ultra-modern town centre high-rises. This proposed tower block would dwarf previous plans for the site, moving the town's high-rise cluster away from Victoria Way and deeper into the historic retail heart of Chobham Road.
Local Businesses and Community Spaces at Risk
The proposed site at Cleary Court, on the corner of Chobham Road and Church Street East, currently features a mix of architectural eras. The plans involve demolishing a 1980s office building and a row of traditional three-storey Victorian terraces. These characterful older buildings currently house independent ground-floor shops with offices above, serving as a vital hub for local business owners and shoppers. Representatives from planning consultants Amity recently hosted a community engagement event to discuss how these changes will affect the local commercial landscape. While the new development promises three ground-floor commercial units, existing tenants face the daunting prospect of relocation. Community groups are expressing concern over the loss of historic street-level character, which has defined this pocket of Woking for generations. The transition from independent heritage storefronts to a high-density, corporate-led mixed-use development represents a significant cultural shift for the town centre. Local business associations are closely monitoring the situation to support affected retailers, ensuring that the economic benefits of this massive injection of new residents are balanced against the loss of established local enterprises.
What Lies Ahead: How Residents Can Have Their Say
This new 28-storey proposal represents a major escalation from previous plans. Only in January 2024, Woking Borough Council approved an 11-storey building for the very same site, which now seems to have been shelved in favour of this much larger twin-tower design. For local residents, the sheer scale of the project raises questions about town density, infrastructure capacity, and the architectural future of Woking. Before a formal planning application is submitted to the council, the developers are seeking feedback through a public consultation process. Neighbours and community members can view early design concepts on the Amity planning website and submit their comments directly. This is a crucial window for residents to voice their opinions on everything from the height of the towers to the introduction of co-living housing models. Once the full planning application is formally submitted, there will be further opportunities for public representation. Woking residents are encouraged to stay informed and participate in these consultations, as the decisions made over the coming months will permanently reshape the visual and social landscape of the town centre.
Source: Another Woking skyscraper in works with early plans for 28-storey development
