Earlier this week, the Soper Hall in Harestone Valley Road, Caterham, was the venue for an exhibition showcasing four possible schemes for the derelict Rose & Young site in Croydon Road. On Monday 14th and Tuesday 15th January local residents had the opportunity to view plans of the four schemes and talk to representatives of urban designers Kember Lowdon Williams (KLW) and architects, OSP. Visitors were invited to complete comment forms during their visit so that the views of local residents could be considered before a planning application is submitted to Tandridge District Council this spring.

Speaking to visitors to the exhibition, KLW urban designer, Julian Black said: "What this exhibition is about is getting a handle on what people in Caterham want. We need to try and get a scheme pushed through with a solution that works commercially. I see opportunities here and I see drawbacks but I think a new development could restitch the town back together and attract people to that end of Croydon Road. This is a superb site to have an element of residential properties."

Owner of local business, JJ Browne Jewellers, Andrew Browne, said: "If there was residential there would need to be ample parking spaces. Ideally I would like to see a big anchor tenant like Marks and Spencer but I appreciate that we would be more likely to see small retail units going there. It would just be good to see the unsightly derelict building gone and a new development in its place after all these years. I hope it is not too long before a planning application is submitted to the council."