Have you ever wondered what becomes of an old office park when the future of work reshapes itself? Or what it takes to transform a site once buzzing with industrial activity into a new kind of community hub? Welcome to the story of Hersham Technology Park, a place in Surrey that is quietly, but ambitiously, reinventing itself.
What Is Hersham Technology Park?
The site known as Hersham Technology Park lies along Assher Road, Hersham, near Molesey Road. It was built in the 1970s for Air Products and its operations. For decades, the site served as offices, laboratories and parking for hundreds of staff. But, as working patterns changed and demand for housing grew, the site’s role began to feel dated.
A Changing Local Landscape
Hersham itself has long had a mix of residential, light industrial and office uses. Historically, the village and parish had factories, workshops and manufacturing alongside housing. The move now is to find new uses for brownfield land like this and to integrate housing, green space, and mixed‑use development in ways that feel part of the community rather than tacked on.
Why Redevelopment of Hersham Technology Park Matters
Here’s what matters: the site is around 10 acres in size and currently features a large office block of about 190,000 sq ft plus ancillary buildings and over 600 surface‑level parking spaces. The building, originally designed for a single large corporate tenant, is no longer well-suited to modern office or lab uses. So the developer sees an opportunity: renew the site, bring new homes and community benefits, and make good use of land that might otherwise lie underused.
The Development Plans for Hersham Technology Park
Early Vision and Consultation
The developer, The Berkeley Group (via its subsidiary), is leading the redevelopment effort of Hersham Technology Park. They have held public consultation events, asking residents what they like about the area, what could be improved and how the new site should feel.
What’s Proposed
Rather than simply converting the old office building, the aim is to deliver a residential‑led redevelopment. The consultation boards describe the location as “no longer fit for modern office use” and highlight the opportunity to deliver new homes on the brownfield site. Some reports say that up to 280 homes are proposed, possibly more, depending on final design and planning. Additional planning details indicate a “hybrid” application: phase 1 in detail (homes) and phase 2 outline (residential plus flexible uses).
Timeframe and Next Steps
We’re in a transitional phase. The developer aims to submit the full planning application later in 2025. Meanwhile, they will continue community engagement and refine designs. The local authority (Elmbridge Borough Council) will review land inclusion and planning matters in parallel.
What It Means for Hersham and the Wider Area
If all goes well, this redevelopment could have several positive effects:
Housing Supply
The area has limited brownfield sites for homes, so converting a large office park into new homes helps meet local housing needs rather than expanding into green space.
A New Community Hub
With new residents, landscaped areas and flexible uses, the site could evolve from an isolated office park into a place where people live, work and socialise, helping to knit the local community more tightly together.
Sustainability and Regeneration
By reusing a brownfield site, the developers are avoiding building on greenfield land. That aligns with sustainability goals. Also, the developer community involvement, quality of design and nature‑rich places in its approach.
How Does This Relate to Hersham Golf Course and Nearby Features?
The broader Hersham area is not just business and housing. For example, the Hersham Golf Course (and associated Hersham Golf Club) has been subject to change and planning pressure. The golf club, once a local leisure amenity, has seen parts of its land earmarked for redevelopment (via a proposal of 636 homes on part of the golf club site). That means the local fabric is shifting: places of work, homes, and leisure are all evolving together.
Location‑Specific Note: Assher Road, Hersham
Bearing in mind road names is helpful. The site on Molesey Road (near Assher Road) positions it well: accessible, yet close to residential neighbourhoods. That gives the development real potential to integrate rather than stand apart.
What Does “Hersham Technology Park Berkeley Homes” Mean?
Although the name “Hersham Technology Park” emphasises technology/business use, the redevelopment via Berkeley (or its residential arm, Berkeley Homes) points toward “Homes at Hersham Technology Park”. i.e., new housing by Berkeley. So one might see the phrase “Hersham Technology Park Berkeley Homes” used informally to mean the new homes being delivered by Berkeley at the site. The shift is from technology park to tech‑inspired living, rather than a pure business park.
Why the Term “Technology Park” Matters
Naming the site “Hersham Technology Park” acknowledges its past and the potential future: high‑spec, flexible spaces for tech, innovation or mixed uses. Even if the primary use becomes residential, the legacy of tech/innovation remains. That helps the site maintain an identity rather than just being “another housing estate”.
Challenges and Things to Watch
Of course, the transformation of this scale is complex. A few things to keep an eye on:
- Infrastructure: New homes need supporting infrastructure (roads, public transport, schools, green space).
- Integration: Ensuring residents feel part of Hersham rather than isolated in a gated enclave.
- Design and sustainability: Delivering high‑quality, low‑maintenance homes that meet modern standards.
- Traffic and parking: The existing 680-surface car park shows how auto-centric the site was; the new scheme must adapt.
- Leisure and community amenities: With changes at places like the Hersham Golf Course/Golf Club, local leisure options may be shifting.
Why You Should Care
Whether you live nearby, invest in property, or just care about how towns evolve, the story of Hersham Technology Park matters because it shows how areas can adapt. As hybrid working settles in, offices may decline in certain locations. Brownfield regeneration offers the chance to reuse land wisely. Hersham is a case study in this shift.
Looking Ahead
By the end of the decade, if everything goes to plan, the area around Hersham Technology Park might look very different: new homes, landscaped spaces, mixed uses, and a stronger link to the toting Hersham. The trick is balancing change with respect for what came before.
How to Get Involved or Stay Updated
If you’re interested, you can visit the consultation site run by Berkeley for the project: Hersham Place Technology Park consultation (link to a news article on plans), and for direct feedback, the site’s own portal has a survey. Also, the local news keeps track of the planning application process. If you have thoughts on how the area should evolve, you might even share them.
A Short Local Context
For those who live in or near Hersham, the changes at the golf club, the shifts at Assher Road and other local streets mean the community is already in motion. Seeing the redevelopment of Hersham Technology Park alongside this gives a bigger picture: this isn’t just one site changing; it’s the neighbourhood evolving.
FAQs
What is Hersham famous for?
ProductsHersham has long been a Surrey village with a mix of residential and industrial history. It’s known for being part of the commuter belt outside London, for good green spaces and for companies like Air Products having had a presence there.
Is Hersham a nice area to live in?
Many people find it appealing: convenient for transport, green enough, and with a village‑community feel. Of course, as with any area, ups and downs depend on the street, home and views. The redevelopments may further enhance the area if done well.
How many people live in Hersham?
There isn’t a precise number in this article, but Hersham falls within parts of the Elmbridge borough and the wider Surrey commuter zone. For specific up-to-date population figures, you’d need the latest census or local authority report.
Are there good schools in Hersham?
Yes, the area has access to good primary and secondary schools and is part of the Surrey educational system. As always, you should check league tables, catchment areas and admissions for your specific home or street.
What is the most populous town in Surrey?
Surrey has several large towns, such as Guildford, Woking, Epsom and others. The title of “most populated” can depend on whether you mean borough, town or civil parish. For the latest figures, consult official statistical sources.
