Planning application submitted for Surrey care home

Muller Property Group has submitted a detailed planning application to Guildford Borough Council for a new 70-bed care home located to the south of Hammersley Drive in Ash, Surrey.

The proposed development has been designed to meet the growing local demand for high-quality, ensuite care accommodation, providing a compassionate, resident-focused environment for older people, including those living with dementia and complex health needs.

Strategically positioned within easy reach of Guildford and Farnham, the site benefits from strong transport connections and accessibility.

Once developed, the three-storey care home will deliver a modern, purpose-built facility that combines comfort, safety, and wellbeing within a setting that complements the surrounding landscape and local character.

There is a significant need for new care home provision in the area as the borough’s population of 144,440 includes 26,780 residents aged over 65, resulting in a shortfall of 223 ensuite bedrooms.

This demand is expected to increase as the population aged 85 and over is forecast to grow by 44% by 2040.

The proposed care home will provide 70 fully-ensuite wetroom bedrooms, landscaped gardens, and a range of communal facilities including day rooms, a market stall, and a hair and nail salon.

Nurse stations and support facilities will be centrally located on each floor, supported by 25 car parking spaces, including two accessible bays and one ambulance space, and eight cycle spaces.

A new vehicular access will also be created via a dedicated junction from Hammersley Drive.

Julie Doherty, managing director of care at Muller Property Group, said: “We are pleased to have submitted this application and look forward to working collaboratively with Guildford Borough Council to bring forward this much-needed care home.

“This development represents an important opportunity to enhance local care provision and deliver high-quality facilities that will benefit the Ash community for years to come.”

The proposed site lies south of Hammersley Drive and north of Hop Garden and forms part of a site allocation within the Guildford Local Plan.

Planning permission was previously granted in January 2018 for 481 dwellings, which included provision for a future medical facility.

The land was subsequently marketed for healthcare purposes, but was later released for alternative use following the expiry of the five-year period set out within the Section 106 agreement in June 2024.

There are now no restrictions on the site’s development in terms of use.

In addition to meeting growing care needs, the new facility will help address the local shortfall of modern, fit-for-purpose care accommodation, support the NHS by enabling more-timely hospital discharges, and reduce pressure on existing services.

It will also create long-term employment opportunities during construction and operation, contributing positively to the local economy and community wellbeing.

The care home will also play an active role within the community, hosting educational and social initiatives as well as providing space for local teams such as district nurses, social workers, and safeguarding teams.