New images showing what one of Epsom’s most deprived areas will look like after a £6m redevelopment were revealed to the public on Monday.

Developer Orbit Homes held a public consultation on its plans to transform Hollymoor Lane, in the Longmead Estate, at the Longmead Centre in Sefton Road.

The aim of the session was to get residents’ opinions on the proposals ahead of a planning application being submitted to Epsom Council in the next few months.

The project will include nine new homes, 23 affordable and shared ownership flats, 63 parking bays, a community green space and will give a prominent position to the existing convenience store.

A doctor’s surgery - suggested as part of early plans for the redevelopment - will not be included as the NHS has not approved a new GPs surgery at the site.

Patricia Gomez, one of the architects of the plans, said the new homes will be in keeping with the existing buildings.

FROM JANUARY 13, 2015: Redevelopment plans get going for one of the borough's most deprived areas

Your Local Guardian:

Artist's impression of what the corner view of the redevelopment will look like 

She said: "We didn’t want to do something completely different and are not proposing something radical.

"I hope people like it.

"There’s a positive feeling around this development."

Shina Olalekan, deputy head of development at Orbit Homes, lives in the Longmead Estate and said he knows the issues in the area which need to be addressed.

The developer of 12 years, who previously drew the plans for the Epsom station redevelopment, said: "We have come here open handed and open minded in terms of people’s comments and feedback.

"It’s in my interest that this project goes well. 

"The existing building is not popular. The quicker everyone gets rid of it the better. 

"The location is good for something truly inspiring. It’s important to enliven the area."

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Artist's impression of the view from inside the new development 

He acknowledged that parking is an issue, which is not helped by the fact that Hollymoor Lane is close to Ewell West station and congestion is caused by people driving to travel from that station because it is in London travel zone 6.

Mr Olalekan said the design of the redevelopment aims to "remove the concentration of parking in the centre" of the area. It would also remove the existing alleyway.

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Artist's impression of the view of the development from Sefton Road

Court ward Epsom Labour councillor Dan Stevens said the scheme will provide much-needed affordable housing and decent homes for families "many of whom have been living in massively overcrowded units for years".

"Hopefully we will end up with a scheme which is very positive for the area," he added.

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Hollymoor Lane, on the Longmead Estate, today 

"I couldn’t go anywhere else. If you said I could have a shop in Kensington High Street I would say no"

Ajit Patel, from Cheam, has been running the convenience store on Hollymoor Lane for the last 26 years.

When a string of other shops vacated the area in 2006, Mr Patel was the only one who stayed.

Praised as "more than just a shopkeeper", the 52-year-old said he has got involved in the lives on the people who live on the Longmead Estate because it is such a close-knit community.

He said: "Longmead’s got a bad reputation which has stuck.

"But it’s a very, very close-knit community. When you need them they are there.

"The shop is the hub of the community. I couldn’t go anywhere else.

"If you said I could have a shop in Kensington High Street I would say no.

"If you live in a community like an estate you’ve got to be part of it.

"I have been to court, prisons, police stations to bail people out, dealt with bailiffs. I have done everything, gone above and beyond the call of duty."

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Artist's impression of the view of Dorset Square 

Mr Patel said the redevelopment is needed to attract more people to Longmead.

"At the moment the building is an eyesore. Windows are smashed by youths. We need a regeneration. It will bring people in which have never come here before," he added.

Maggie Beams, 73, who lives on the Longmead Estate said of Mr Patel: "He is the community.

"He’s more than just a shopkeeper."

On the plans, she said: "It’s a good idea but we could do with a few more parking spaces."

What do you think of the plans? Leave a comment below or get in touch by writing to letters@epsomguardian.co.uk.