From our base in Fetcham, removals in Leatherhead, or bringing people to the town are regular requests and a pleasure. A place with a good range of property and facilities, which are changing at an increasing pace.
The video above was made in 2016 and highlights plans for transforming the town. A process which takes time and is subject to public consultation, regulation, or unseen delays, not least the Covid-19 pandemic.
Buildings such as Clare House and James House have been purchased by the council, with outline planning permission granted for residential units and a cafe. As with the Swan Centre and Bull Hill, external development partners are being sought.
Background changes have taken place, such as new signage and extending the town’s pedestrian zone. Thought also needs to be given to existing plans in current times.
Fresh Influences
As in any town, changes in emphasis will occur for Leatherhead. The need for additional flood defences, which has begun to be actioned, variations in demographics and above all in 2021, pandemic related considerations.
Will the reduced need for office space become permanent, along with related use of public transport and the road network. To what extent will retail survive new habits, or be overwhelmed by online purchasing.
The plans in place for every part of Leatherhead were conceived almost a decade ago, which is normal for such projects but also their drawback. Since then, we have left the EU, seen new central government and been hit by a global disease.
These factors have already influenced decisions on methodology for taking the plans forward. They are likely to amend what we eventually see, although not the essence of the town and the people who choose to live there.
An Established Backdrop
Surrey’s most expensive street (Montrose Gardens) is in Leatherhead, although the town overall is not the most expensive. Our removals service supports residents in substantial properties and a range of smaller homes.
The town holds a small but valuable museum, a theatre, community gardens, buildings of historic interest, a good range of educational facilities.
Qualification levels are above the national average, as are the levels of occupation this can bring. In a town where the average age is 43, health data shows the area to be performing well, crime rates are relatively low.
Access to the countryside is part of the enjoyment of living in the town, strengthened by conservation areas and fine places to visit. The National Trust remains one of the largest land owners amidst wider change.
Development To Date & Ongoing
There are still a good number of small villages in Mole Valley, although others such as Ashtead, Bookham and Fetcham have grown notably in recent times. Each of them more or less rivals Leatherhead in population size.
An outcome of being close to London and two international airports, along with easy access to the motorway network. Another benefit in a sense, although Leatherhead residents can add more than the national average load on the environment.
They equally tend to care and amending plans to reduce emissions, or the consumption of natural resources matters to them. Those aspects will need to be increasingly factored into building the future.
Possibly with amendments, Leatherhead’s transformation plan will come to fruition. We hope this brings additional benefits, whilst maintaining the ethos that makes removals in Leatherhead and working with the residents so enjoyable.
