The 12-storey development will create 68 new apartments on the site of the former Rat and Parrot pub in Woking which has been closed for almost a decade.

The landmark building will include a mix of studio and two-bedroomed apartments with four three-bedroomed penthouse apartments on the top floor with access to a roof-top terrace.

Ben Somner, who led the design project for Broadway Malyan, said the scheme would make an important contribution to the planned transformation of the Surrey town centre over the coming years.

He said: “Commuter towns like Woking are set to experience significant population growth over the next two decades and developing prime brownfield sites will be key to meeting housing targets while also helping to creating a vibrant and attractive town centre that meets the growing demand for urban living.

“The proposed scheme offers a strong architectural statement along a key gateway into the town with the sense of street significantly improved through the design detail of the building, high quality landscaping and active frontages to the street creating an open and sociable development.”

“Extruded metal framing to the window reveals and the simple metal balustrades of the balconies add a depth and articulation to the façade with the varied placement of the metal elements creating a sense of dynamism and variety against the predominantly brick structure.

“The cutting out of the corners of the building has also helped increase the area of façade available for windows with the majority of balconies orientated to receive as much direct sunlight as possible as well as offering fantastic views across the town.”

The planning application to Woking Borough Council was submitted on behalf of site owners Michael Watkin and Charles Lewczynski.