HAWTHORN Lodge, Churchill Retirement Living’s new development in Farnham, is selling like hot cakes before its show home has even opened - with 75 per cent of its 50 apartments already sold.

The re-development of the former Farnham Police Station site in Long Bridge has made rapid progress in recent months, with hoardings recently removed from the corner of the development facing Union Road unveiling the new building’s design for all to see.

A replica of the police station’s iconic clock tower now adorns the building’s roof while the murals depicting scenes from Farnham’s history have been reinstated at the entrance of the complex overlooking Gostrey Meadow.

As promised by Churchill and agreed by Waverley planners in August 2014, the new building has also been designed to reflect Farnham’s Georgian architecture with a mix of elevations and two ‘landmark’ hop kiln-style roundhouses at either end of the building.

Named Hawthorn Lodge after Farnham’s famous son and former F1 world champion Mike Hawthorn, the new development has received a positive response from Farnham residents online, with many taking to The Herald’s Facebook page to praise its sensitive design.

“I think it is beautiful - well done! A great improvement on the soulless police station that was there before”, said Heather Irving, while another Facebook user, Amber Keyse, added: “I think it is an improvement of what was there before and in keeping with the town architecture.”

“Love it, has real character!”, commented Sandra Doyle, while Robin Lawton said: “Certainly an improvement compared with the hideous ’60s’ building that stood there previously.”

Town centre resident Sam Powell described the round towers at each end of the complex as “a bit odd” but added “the rest looks good” and praised Churchill for completing the development “as quietly, cleanly and efficiently as we could have hoped for”.

“Some of the sections using older-style bricks really look as if they are genuinely old buildings. Hats off to em,” Sam continued.

Many others also praised Churchill for the relatively short time to build the development, drawing comparisons with Waverley Borough Council’s long-delayed Brightwells scheme and to a lesser extent F&C REIT’s Woolmead proposals.

“I think they’ve done a great job,” said Darren Collins. “Very in-keeping and a massive improvement on the monstrosity that was the police station. Now can we please get on with the East Street redevelopment please!”

Mark Cannings added: “If only the East Street development could be done this quick. How many more years and money will be wasted not building it.”

And Raymond Spencer said: “Well if they can get this quality architectural look why can’t Farnham get the Woolmead sorted?”

Comments were not universally positive, however, and some bemoaned the cost of Churchill’s new apartments - starting at £348,950 for a one-bedroom apartment - as well as the lack of affordable housing on the prime town-centre site and absence of a contemporary architectural style.

Typifying these comments, Louise Barber described the development as a “shameless Disney-fication of Farnham”, adding it has “no architectural merit whatsoever” and expressing a preference for the “retro” 1950s’ police station.

Anne Scherrer, Churchill’s regional marketing manager, said: “We’re delighted that Hawthorn Lodge has been so well received in Farnham. To have sold 75 per cent of the homes before we have even opened a show apartment shows the desire for this kind of purpose-built and privately owned retirement accommodation in the town.”

For more information about Hawthorn Lodge call 0800 458 1857 or visit the website www.churchillretirement.co.uk . The development is expected to open this spring.