Esher High Street funeral directors to become restaurant extension under new planning proposal

• Application submitted to convert the ground floor of a vacant former funeral directors at 108 High Street, Esher, into restaurant seating.
• The space would function as an extension of the existing restaurant at the adjoining Unit B, 110 High Street, with new openings formed between the two properties.
• Works include a single-storey side extension, residential reconfiguration on upper floors, and fenestration alterations, with partial demolition required.
• Both properties are within a conservation area; the application covers both planning permission and conservation area demolition consent.
• Staff numbers are projected to increase from seven to twelve, and proposed opening hours are 11:00–22:00 seven days a week.

A planning application has been submitted to Elmbridge Borough Council seeking permission to convert a former funeral directors on Esher High Street into additional restaurant space, as part of a scheme to expand the neighbouring eatery into the adjoining premises.

The application covers 108 High Street and Unit B, 110 High Street, Esher — a combined site of 334 square metres. The ground floor of 108 High Street, which operated as a funeral directors until June 2025 and is now vacant, is proposed to change use to restaurant seating in the same use class (Class E), functioning as an extension of the existing restaurant at Unit B, 110 High Street.

The scheme, submitted by Esher Capital Properties Ltd and Tubem Properties and prepared by agent Michael Knight of Knight Associates Ltd, also includes openings to be formed in the flank wall between the two properties, the erection of a single-storey side extension, and a reconfiguration of existing first and second floor residential accommodation at 108 High Street. Associated fenestration alterations are also proposed.

Partial demolition is required to create the new openings, facilitate the side extension, and enable internal reconfiguration. Both buildings sit within a conservation area, and the application is made under both planning permission and conservation area consent procedures.

Externally, the main roofs are to remain unaltered, with a dark grey single-ply membrane proposed for the new single-storey extensions. Upper floor front elevation windows at 108 High Street are to be replaced with white double-glazed timber sash windows, with white double-glazed timber casements proposed to the rear and flank elevations. The existing shopfront at 108 High Street is to be reconfigured to form a combined timber glazed entrance door and panel system.

The residential access at 108 High Street is proposed to be relocated from the side elevation to the front of the building, while restaurant customers would continue to use the existing entrance at 110 High Street. Two existing on-site car parking spaces at the site would be lost as part of the development.

The proposed operating hours for the expanded restaurant are 11:00 to 22:00 Monday to Sunday, including bank holidays. The applicants state that the number of employees is expected to rise from seven existing staff — four full-time and three part-time — to twelve, comprising six full-time and six part-time.

The application is a live proposal awaiting determination by Elmbridge Borough Council.