Two years after their January 2019 planning application for the redevelopment of Caterham Valley's Church Walk shopping centre, BP Ropemaker Properties has withdrawn its submission. The town has always sat divided over the £50 million regeneration and investment project, with many saying it would have increased footfall and revenue in the area, helped build the evening economy and provided more housing for the town. Others, however, were of the opinion the new development would have been an eyesore, with inadequate parking, an increase to the risk of flooding in the area, and could have resulted in the loss of shops along Station Avenue.
Nick Keable, a spokesperson for BP Ropemaker Properties Ltd, said
"This is obviously a great shame: our proposals would have led to a very significant investment in Caterham and been a vibrant heart in the town centre for future generations."
Has Caterham lost out? Do you think the development should have gone ahead, or are you pleased that its existing architecture will remain intact? Tell us your views by emailing newsdesk@caterhamindependent.com.
