DML is proud to be associated with the redevelopment of St John’s Seminary in the village of Wonersh, Surrey. The application for residential conversion was determined by Waverley Borough Council on 7 February 2024 and has been granted approval in accordance with officer recommendations.

The Grade II listed building was purchased in 2022 by an equity consortium led by DML as fund manager. The project is a joint venture with residential developers This is Home and Healey Land.

The site, a former Roman Catholic theological college, is set in a picturesque rural setting within the Surrey Hills and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty but in close proximity to Guildford town centre (4 miles) and fast rail/road connections to London. The seminary buildings are of Flemish and Jacobean architecture and include the chapel, classrooms, library, administrative offices and residential quarters within 46 acres of gardens, farm land and woodland.

The Seminary closed its doors in 2021 marking the end of its long-standing history as a religious institution and needing to find a new purpose and chapter in its architectural legacy.

DML and our development partners have worked closely with the Council over the last 18 months to bring forward a sympathetic conversion and extension of the Seminary to create a harmonious residential scheme of 52 homes that achieve high specification and energy efficient standards. The mix incorporates town houses, lateral apartments, cottages and gate lodges with private and communal amenity space and associated landscaping, biodiversity enhancements and parking. The vision and proposed design led by James Taylor and award winning eco architects, Ecotecture, involved extensive public consultation with residents, the parish council and all stakeholders to ensure the scheme meets the needs of the local community as well as future occupiers.

Rachel Warren, DML’s development director, said “This is a great milestone in securing the preservation and revival of this wonderful heritage asset. An enormous thanks to our development partners and professional team on the journey so far”.