We currently have an asset which we use inefficiently, and we have a legal requirement to improve the state of our pension fund, said Hancock.
Pira has filed its fourth planning application and, if successful, it could move its 170 staff from the present sprawling site of 7,400m2 to a new site in the surrounding area in 12-18 months.
The latest application comes after consultation with Mole Valley District Councils planning department. A spokeswoman for the council said that although the area was mainly designated for business, the application proposed that the site would be split between 75% residential and 15% office space, with the remainder for car parking.
The Randalls Road site is designated as an employment site, but the development scheme has met with some public resistance.
According to local reports, a public consultation found that Leatherhead residents wanted to see more parking spaces and affordable housing in the centre of their town.
Piras proposals, which are due to be heard next Wednesday (30 July), outline the construction of 72 marketable apartments and 30 affordable housing apartments, along with 1,420m2 of office space and 142 car-parking spaces.
By Andy Scott
