Extra homes approved to save Surrey Hills heritage mansion from ruin
Mole Valley District Council have given the greenlight for 27 additional homes at the historic Headley Court estate
Mole Valley District Council has approved plans to build an additional 27 homes at the abandoned Surrey Hills mansion and stables of Headley Court, aiming to save the heritage site from “rack and ruin”. The decision, made at the council’s development committee meeting on October 1, increases the total number of units for the Audley Headley Court retirement community to 139 homes.
In February 2023, the council first approved a 112-home retirement scheme at the historic site. However, developers argued that adding extra units on the green belt land was necessary to make the restoration project financially viable.
The proposals were unanimously backed by councillors, who reflected local residents’ eagerness to see the former mansion house and stables put back into use. The plans also promise to open the much-loved estate gardens to the public for the first time.
David Preedy of Headley Parish Council described Headley Court as “critical to our community both in terms of its history and the impact on the village.” He acknowledged some controversy over the additional homes but said the parish supported the scheme to bring an end to “years of disruption and significant decay to the heritage of our village and the gardens and the heritage buildings.”
Headley Court has stood vacant since the Ministry of Defence left the estate. During the pandemic, the Jubilee Complex gardens were used by the NHS and Surrey County Council. The grounds have also supported Help for Heroes and veterans of the Afghanistan war, further strengthening their value to the community.
Developers stressed that the refurbishment and reuse of the listed mansion and stables, combined with sensitive landscaping, would make the grounds accessible to the public for the first time and meet the rising need for specialist housing for older people.
“It has received no objections from the local community with whom we have engaged extensively with since our first involvement with the site back in early 2022,” the applicant’s agent noted. “We will continue to ingratiate ourselves into the local community as we have done elsewhere…and bring the site back to its former glory.”
Councillor Roger Adams (Liberal Democrat: Bookham West) supported the extension, stating, “This is a historic site and it would be a great shame to see it fall into rack and ruin.” He added, “It was a pity that green belt land must be taken but on the other hand if it must be taken to preserve the whole site and improve the whole site, then so be it.”
The rejuvenation of Headley Court is set to deliver new housing, restore decaying heritage buildings, and unlock cherished green spaces for everyone to enjoy.