Woking’s Skyline Set to Transform with New Double Tower Plans
Twin Towers Coming to Woking’s East End
Woking’s rapidly transforming skyline is about to get another dramatic addition. Developers Newco Ltd and architects ECE Westworks have submitted plans for a striking ‘double tower’ apartment complex that would reshape the landscape around Chobham Road and Church Street East—just a short walk from the heart of town near Jubilee Square.
The proposal features two interconnected towers: one rising 16 storeys and its taller twin stretching an impressive 24 storeys into the Surrey sky. At over 110 metres high, these would rank among Woking’s most prominent buildings, cementing the town’s status as a genuine urban centre within the region.
The site currently houses a collection of historic three-storey Victorian terraces, familiar to long-time residents and shoppers passing through Chobham Road. Ground-floor retail spaces and upper-level offices would all be cleared to make way for the new development. The scheme would introduce 585 new homes to Woking, a significant contribution to the area’s housing stock as local demand continues climbing. This represents a major leap from the previously approved 11-storey plan for the same location.
What This Development Means for Local Residents and Businesses
If approved, this project will directly impact how Woking functions as a community. The development promises ground-floor commercial spaces along Chobham Road, Christchurch Way, and Church Street East, potentially attracting new retailers and businesses to replace those currently operating from the Victorian buildings.
The 585 homes consist entirely of studio and one-bedroom units designed for young professionals, first-time residents, and those forming new households. Co-living arrangements—where residents share communal kitchens, gyms, and lounges while maintaining private bedrooms—offer flexible alternatives to traditional rental or purchase agreements. This addresses a genuine gap in Woking’s housing market for affordable, practical accommodation.
However, residents should note the development includes no dedicated affordable housing units, despite council policy typically requiring 35 per cent affordability. Developers argue their co-living model itself provides accessible pricing, though many community members may question whether this substitutes adequately for genuinely affordable provision. Local businesses currently operating from the site, and those neighbouring on surrounding streets, may experience disruption during construction phases. Community groups and local organisations should consider how they can engage with both the development timeline and the incoming resident demographic.
Have Your Say—Public Consultation Open Until September 8
The window for community input is closing fast. Woking Borough Council’s planning portal is currently hosting the public consultation on these proposals, with the deadline set for September 8. This is your opportunity to review the detailed plans and submit feedback directly to the council before any decision is made.
Reading the planning documents reveals specifics about building heights, communal areas, traffic management, and ground-floor uses. If you’re concerned about parking, public transport capacity, or how the towers might affect local character compared to nearby Guildford or Dorking developments, now’s the moment to voice those concerns formally.
After the consultation closes, Woking Borough Council will evaluate all feedback before either approving or rejecting the application. This development signals the council’s commitment to dense, vertical housing growth—a pattern replicated across Surrey’s town centres. Whether you support modern urban regeneration or harbour reservations about the changing character of Woking’s streetscapes, engagement through the planning process is essential. Visit the council’s planning portal, examine the proposals, and make your voice heard. The future of this prominent town-centre site will be shaped by decisions made in the coming weeks.
Source: New skyscraper plans for Woking as ‘double tower’ apartment block planned
