Plans have been submitted to develop an eyesore in North Cheam.

Developers, Stonegate Homes, have submitted plans to transform Victoria House at the junction of London Road and Cheam Common Road.

Your Local Guardian:

Victoria House as it looks now

Their proposal includes the demolition of the existing building and the erection of a new building which is partly two storey and partly to eight storey building.

The plans include space for shops, 75 homes including 21 affordable homes and car parking spaces for residents.

Victoria House has been a blight on the landscape since the shopping centre closed in 2006 and the boarded up building led to North Cheam being named in the top ten most derelict town centres in the country in 2011.

Nonsuch councillor Eric Allen said the redevelopment was "badly needed" and he has been working with the developers to negotiate a police office being provided in the building as a base for the local Safer Neighbourhoods Team.

He said: "I welcome the plans and application that has gone in. I believe it will help to rejuvenate the area which has been in decline for some years with Victoria House casting a shadow over all of North Cheam."

John Hall, Chairman of North Cheam Traders Association, welcomed the plans and said it would allow for some exciting new shops and housing for residents.

Councillor Jayne McCoy, chair of the housing, economy and business committee said: “A planning application for the re-development of Victoria House has been received by the council and is currently being consulted upon.

"Stonegate Homes, who own the site, have already consulted with local residents, businesses and ward councillors and amended their plans in line with that feedback.

"Once the formal consultation period comes to an end we will review the application before a final decision is made by the relevant committee.”

Your Local Guardian:

The proposed plans at night time