A NEW community hub containing a café, religious meeting area and business conference centre is to open in the heart of Redhill.
The new development will replace the former Kandootoo shop in London Road. Youth facilities, a children's area and a homeless shelter will also be established inside the vacant premises.
There was some concern about the project when plans for the homeless shelter first emerged – with some residents voicing opposition via the online planning application – but councillors have been assured it will only be used for this purpose during the winter.
About 25 members of the Redhill and Reigate Community Church, who put in the application, were at Reigate and Banstead Borough Council's planning meeting on Wednesday of last week when approval was granted.
Alisdair Semple, who is from the church, said: "Now the hard work starts.
"It was really good, there were people from the church who went along and we had a little celebration afterwards.
"Now we've got a lot to live up to.
"There were a number of residents concerned but the ward councillors got involved and were very helpful and we think the planning process managed to address most of the concerns.
"We think we're going to be good neighbours and we want them to be happy we're here."
Council officers also noted a concern about the change of use from a retail premises to a coffee shop, which goes against the Borough Local Plan for the area by reducing the number of retail units.
But at the meeting, Redhill councillor Natalie Bramhall said concerns about the differing uses of the building would be overcome, adding: "The homeless shelter did raise some concern but I understand this is to run no more than 6 to 12 nights in the winter months.
"I think on balance the benefits of bringing the building back into use outweighs the change of use."
Merstham Councillor Graeme Crome said: "I think it's fantastic to see the proposal come forward and seeing the shop put into long-term use
"My one concern is the use of the ground floor as a coffee shop, there's one two doors away and I would like to see something new."
Negotiations will now begin with developers and it is hoped work on the new shop will begin in the New Year.
