Woking’s 76-Bed Care Home Set to Replace Ageing 1970s Office Block
A Long-Overdue Transformation on Oriental Road
The tired 1970s office block that has sat largely vacant on Oriental Road in Woking is finally set for a new chapter. Woking Borough Council’s planning committee has approved the demolition of Lion House and its replacement with a purpose-built 76-bed extra care home—a decision that addresses a critical gap in local elderly care provision.
The current building, a relic of outdated commercial design, has struggled to attract tenants for years. Rather than allowing the site to continue deteriorating, developers propose transforming this underutilised space into a warm, thoughtfully designed residential facility tailored to older residents’ needs. The new building will feature en-suite bathrooms in every room—a standard that reflects modern care expectations rather than the cramped facilities often found in converted structures. Beyond bedrooms, residents will access lounge areas, hobby spaces, a cinema room, and a hairdresser, ensuring daily life extends well beyond basic care. The landscaped gardens will be specifically designed as dementia-friendly communal spaces, allowing residents to enjoy outdoor time safely with clear sight lines throughout. Notably, the nearby Grade I listed Shah Jahan Mosque will benefit too, with the new building improving the setting of this cherished local landmark.
Meeting Woking’s Growing Elderly Care Crisis
The numbers tell a sobering story about our ageing community. Currently, approximately 700 residents over 85 in Woking are living with dementia. Within the next decade, that figure is projected to exceed 1,000—a 43% increase that leaves a significant care capacity shortfall in our borough.
This new facility directly addresses that urgent need. With 76 rooms designed for people requiring full-time nursing or residential care, many living with dementia, the home will provide dignified, specialised accommodation for some of Woking’s most vulnerable residents. The design philosophy centres on maintaining independence and dignity—something that extends beyond physical accessibility to psychological wellbeing. Residents will retain their sense of self through thoughtful interior design, familiar routines, and spaces that feel homely rather than institutional.
The project brings tangible economic benefits too. Up to 75 full-time jobs will be created across various roles—nurses, carers, chefs, gardeners, and administrative staff. For families, this development means their elderly relatives can receive appropriate care within the community they’ve always known, rather than travelling to facilities further afield. Parking concerns, which generated three objections, have been thoroughly addressed, with a maximum of 30 staff on site at any given time due to staggered shift patterns.
What Happens Next and What Local Residents Should Know
With planning approval now secured, construction is expected to commence within the coming months, with the facility anticipated to welcome its first residents in approximately two years. For those interested in the project’s progress, Woking Borough Council’s planning portal provides regular updates on development timelines.
Families with elderly relatives on waiting lists for extra care provision should monitor the home’s opening carefully. The developer, who brings over 20 years of experience in care home operation and management, has designed this facility with genuine resident welfare as the priority. Comparisons with similar schemes in neighbouring areas like Dorking, Horsley, and East Horsley show how well-designed extra care homes integrate successfully into residential communities.
Local residents should also recognise the broader implications: this development demonstrates how aging brownfield sites can be repurposed to address genuine community needs. Rather than speculative retail or office conversion, we’re seeing a responsible developer investing in care infrastructure that will serve Woking’s residents for decades. The project’s thoughtful design—from dementia-friendly gardens to accessible en-suite bathrooms mirroring standards found in quality kitchen renovation and bathroom refurbishment sectors—sets a positive precedent for future developments in our borough. Keep an eye on progress through local council updates and community announcements.
Source: ‘Tired’ 70s Surrey office block to be demolished for 76-bed extra care home
