The company behind the retail project is a joint venture between Peacocks shopping centre owner Moyallen, Surrey County Council and Woking Borough Council.

Their joint venture Bandstand Square Developments hopes to get the green light to build a new civic space entitled Victoria Square on the site of Bandstand Square, Woking Fire Station and the former home of the town’s market.

The Victoria Square proposal will deliver 125,000 sq ft of new retail floorspace anchored by Marks & Spencer, a 190-bed four star hotel in a 21 storey tower, 392 residential apartments in two towers of 28 and 34 storeys.

The plans also include space for a medical centre, 380 additional car parking spaces and two new public plazas.

The new fire station is larger than the existing, with 20 residential units above, and will be delivered prior to the decommissioning of the existing facility.

It is hoped the first phase of construction will get underway this year with the new Marks and Spencer store open for business by Christmas 2017.

Peter Robinson from Moyallen said: “We have engaged with the public and other stakeholders and resolved the detailed design taking into account the comments received. We look forward to continuing to work with stakeholders as the scheme progresses.”