Up to £100m could be spent on an ambitious redevelopment plan to revive Leatherhead town centre.

Mole Valley Council has set out to hire a masterplanner to draw up a "road map" to revamp its retail heart which is blighted by a "tortuous road network" and is facing stiff competition from nearby towns.

The Transform Leatherhead project aims to redesign its centre, improve transport links and attract investors and occupiers to create a vibrant and flourishing place.

Councillor Chris Townsend, leader of the council, said they believe "radical change" is needed for the town centre to reach its potential.

Coun Townsend said: "This project is about working together as a community to make Leatherhead town centre work for us all.

"I am very excited about this project and look forward to working in partnership with businesses, communities and residents alike."

At the launch earlier this month Nick Gray, deputy chief executive of the council, said jobs, homes and commercial floor space were among their priorities.

A council spokeswoman said the total cost of the transformation will be established through the development of a masterplan for the project.

She said: "The figure of £100 million has been used as an indication of the scale of Mole Valley District Council’s ambition for the transformation of the town.

"It is anticipated that the bulk of the funding will come from the private sector. The cost of developing the masterplan is expected to be in excess of £500,000."

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The masterplan partner, who will be appointed in February, will gather evidence and hold a consultation to create a draft by early 2016.

The council is expected to approve the masterplan in Autumn 2016 and "delivery" will start in January 2017.

It has received a grant of £62,500 towards the project and has also allocated up to £511,000 towards the creation of the masterplan.

A document for prospective masterplanners said despite its prosperous location and positive attributes, the town centre was "failing to punch its weight as a local centre".

It said: "The range of town centres close to Leatherhead means that local residents are spoilt for choice when deciding where to shop and spend leisure time."

There are about 140 shops in the town centre and most of its many offices are located a roughly five to 10 minute walk away.

It said the town centre has a "tortuous road network" including a one way gyratory system, adding: "As a result, drivers travelling though the town have no idea what is on offer in its centre or how to access it."

For more information www.molevalley.gov.uk/transformleatherhead

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