Updated – Planning Applications May 2024

SAVE THE DATES to have your say on the Swan Centre & Bull Hill!

2-6pm Thurs 6 Jun
The Jam Place KT22 7FP

10am-2pm Sat 8 Jun
Unit 3 (formerly Clinton Cards) The Swan Centre KT22 BAE

10am-2pm Sat 15 Jun
Unit 3 The Swan Centre KT22 BAE

6-7pm Tues 8 Jun
Online event on Zoom pic.twitter.com/cJUyRHjOrb

— Transform Leatherhead (@Transformleath1) May 14, 2024

Rather than just ideas and concepts that we have seen many times over the years, these are ‘concrete’ proposals by a contracted developer in partnership with the district council with funding and architects in place to actually build something. This is a ‘save the date’ for the official pre-application engagement, more information will appear online 23 May.

Latest applications, decisions and information on major development sites.

In the extreme south east of Mole Valley on the border of Horley and Gatwick, 446 homes are now included in the draft Local Plan but were initially refused. MVDC documents now confirm the decision was taken earlier in the year not to defend the appeal on Green Belt grounds.

Public Inquiry – MO/2023/1125

Land to the West Of Reigate Road, Hookwood (Charlwood Parish)

Tuesday 14 to Thursday 16 May 2024

The Core Documents can be found at: Land to The West Of Reigate Road MO/2023/1125

The next Development Management Committee is due on 5 June, with chair and vice chair confirmed on 21 May at the annual Council meeting. For 2024/25 there will be 15 members on the committee, 12 Lib Dem, 2 Ashtead Independents and 1 Conservative.

24 April Committee Agenda and Reports including report recommending permission for Padel Tennis facilities at the old boating lake area behind Leatherhead Leisure Centre which was approved. See separate background article https://newleatherheadliving.wordpress.com/2024/05/03/update-may-2024-leatherhead-purpose-built-padel-tennis-facility/

Running Lists 10 May. 3 May 26 April 19 April

A notable application in the 10 May list is for the Dorincourt site on the Oxshott edge of Leatherhead near the M25. It is a ‘previously developed’ site within the Green Belt. The application states it was not marketable for ongoing use for a care facility and it is proposed for logistics and warehousing https://planning.agileapplications.co.uk/mole/application-details/125505 This is not a site MVDC considered suitable for housing when preparing its Local Plan. The application design/access statement refers to preparatory discussions with both planning and highways officers.

Decisions 10 May 3 May 26 April. 19 April

Appeals

Public Notices

Alternatively, real-time weekly lists of applications registered or decided are also available.

Comment on a Planning Application

If you wish to comment on a planning application that has yet to be decided, you can find more details at Comment on a Planning Application

In late January 2024 the Minister for Housing issued MVDC with a direction not to withdraw its Local Plan

There are currently four main sites in Mole Valley where major development is either proposed, applied for or at appeal

All of them have been through the Local Plan process and are accepted by MVDC and the Government Inspector as ones that in principle will be developed – though there is still one further stage before the Local Plan is adopted. A consultation on modifications required by the Inspector ended 23 April https://futuremolevalley.org/main-modifications-council-note-35-consultation/

1. Thakeham application for outline permission on the Green Belt site at Preston Farm Little Bookham which is zoned for release in the draft now unpaused Local Plan.

Bookhams Residents Association has submitted a detailed objection https://www.bookhamresidents.org.uk/blog/post/21603/bra-response-to-preston-farm-planning-application-submitted/

2. Ermyn Way – Ashtead / Leatherhead. a pre-application environmental impact screening request was made to MVDC – but not required- ahead of an outline proposal for 270 homes by Countrywide. (This would be in addition to possible brownfield redevelopment of the Exxon site which would be deemed traffic neutral). This site is included in the Local Plan. https://newleatherheadliving.wordpress.com/2024/03/16/updated-ermyn-way-ashtead-planning-application-for-270-homes-expected-soon/

3. Hookwood, in Charlwood Parish on the edge of Horley and Gatwick. An appeal by Rydon Homes on a 446 home Green Belt site on Reigate Road. This was refused by MVDC in 2023 on the basis of the current 2000 Local Plan policies on Green Belt but also on highways and other grounds. But it is now included in the draft Local Plan, and as a result MVDC is no longer defending the appeal on the Green Belt reason for refusal. Statement here. 14 May an appeal hearing started:

Public Inquiry – Land to The West Of Reigate Road, Hookwood – MO/2023/1125

Core Documents for the Inquiry can be found here ›

A live webcast of the Inquiry can be viewed here ›

4. MVDC’s own site at Bull Hill Leatherhead within the one-way system. The Leret Partnership Joint Venture with Kier Property will begin engagement on mixed use plans for the site, and for Swan Centre, in June, with an outline hybrid planning application targeted for late 2024 and consent 2025. The Bull Hill site counts as brownfield/ previously developed, with some commitment to a plaza and public space with play facilities in a fundamentally reconfigured site. https://newleatherheadliving.wordpress.com/2024/03/12/leatherhead-town-centre-february-2024-briefing-replay-now-online/

Other significant brownfield sites include Clare and James House on Leatherhead Riverside; Pixham End, and Regent House (Clarion Housing site next to the main station) in Dorking. A Green Belt site west of Dorking, Sondes Place was approved for Gleeson Homes on appeal by a Government Inspector November 2023 while the MVDC Local Plan process was paused.

Boundary updates ahead of 2025 County elections

Surrey County Council is set to have new boundaries for its council divisions. 

Main local changes are in the Dorking area. We think the Ashtead, Leatherhead, Bookham divisions are more or less unchanged and Fetcham is as usual split between two, and without a minor boundary change suggested. There is a boundary change to include more of Oxshott with Cobham and other more significant changes in the Elmbridge divisions. These changes are only for SCC elections every 4 years, next in 2025.

It remains to be seen who the parties and groups will nominate for the different divisions, the local divisions have seen relatively few changes over the course of this century, with Helyn Clack serving on SCC since at least 2001, Hazel Watson 1993, Tim Hall, Stephen Cooksey 2005 and Clare Curran and Chris Townsend 2009. So a great deal of experience. News release from the independent boundary commission and links below.

Proposed divisions for Surrey County Council

Credit: contains Ordnance Survey data (c) Crown copyright and database rights 2024

High resolution map available at https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/surrey

The Local Government Boundary Commission is the independent body that draws these boundaries. It has reviewed Surrey to make sure councillors will represent about the same number of electors, and that division arrangements will help the council work effectively.

The Commission has published final recommendations for changes in Surrey. It says residents should be represented by 81 councillors. This is no change from the current arrangements.

There will be 81 one-councillor divisions. Most divisions are changing, 24 are staying the same.

Publishing the recommendations Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said:

“We are very grateful to people in Surrey. We looked at all the views they gave us. They helped us improve our earlier proposals. 

We believe the new arrangements will deliver electoral fairness while maintaining local ties.” 

Over 900 comments were made by people and organisations to help decide the new divisions. Changes in response to what local people said include:

• Reverting to a single member pattern of divisions in Elmbridge, in response to evidence that a 2-member division would not help the council operate effectively.
• Altering the divisions in rural areas of Guildford, in response to fresh evidence on the community identity of these areas.  

The Commission has made further changes to its earlier proposals. Details can be found on its website at https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/surrey.

The changes become law once Parliament has approved them. Staff at the council will ensure that the arrangements are in place for the 2025 elections.

An interactive map is available at https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/surrey

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is an independent body accountable to Parliament. It recommends fair electoral and boundary arrangements for local authorities in England. In doing so, it aims to:

• Make sure that, within an authority, each councillor represents a similar number of electors
• Create boundaries that are appropriate, and reflect community ties and identities
• Deliver reviews informed by local needs, views and circumstances
• Reflect the request for single-member divisions

Residents Associations empty chairs – Update April 2024

We understand that the motion from (we thought) one of the Ashtead Independent councillors (but their leader says it was a motion from a road steward ARA member) to keep the Ashtead Residents Association committee completely non-political was approved by a relatively low number of members at its AGM 17 April (though this was a clear majority of those present). So the proposed rule changes by the committee which had conducted an advisory ballot will not be made.

The prospective new Chairman, former councillor David Harper, who is or was a member of a national political party, withdrew his nomination and it’s reported there were several other committee and road steward resignations.

So it probably means the ARA are going to be seeking volunteers to fill some of the gaps to keep it functioning. Alternatively, it may wind down and the Independent councillors will be the only Ashtead representatives on local matters eg. planning and environmental issues, liaison with Network Rail, litter picks etc

Leatherhead RA has its next meeting 13 May with a local speaker David Stoves talking about scams. They completed a litter pick supported by local councillors and activists 14 April. LRA continue to seek new helpers and members and the chairman has already deferred her retirement once if not twice. LRA is non-political but does allow members of national parties to get involved alongside each other.

____________________________________________

Musical chairs in Ashtead. Empty chair in Leatherhead. Article below published earlier in April before the AGM

Not an April fool but an update for readers in Ashtead including the Grange Road, Ermyn Way, Quarry Gardens, Hatherwood etc areas whose postal address is Leatherhead but come under Ashtead for electoral purposes.

While residents there may be most concerned about traffic from any potential new housing developments off Ermyn Way, there is a further chapter in the vital debate about whether committee members of the Ashtead Residents Association should be allowed to be members of national political parties.

This is apparently the key issue for the six Ashtead Independent councillors at the ARA AGM and their new candidate standing to replace one who is retiring – Professor Hawksworth, who has a further motion for the ARA to debate on 17 April. https://www.ashteadindependents.org/post/is-the-ara-going-political

Meanwhile in a further twist to this saga, the vacant post of ARA chairman is proposed to be filled by none other than David Harper, who was an official Ashtead Independent councillor 2016-22 but stood as an independent independent 2023 when the number of councillors for Ashtead reduced to six.

https://www.ashteadresidents.org.uk/blog/post/21725/david-harper-welcomed-as-prospective-new-chairman-of-the-residents-association

The Committee of the Ashtead Residents’ Association is very pleased to announce that David Harper has agreed to become the new Chairman of the ARA. After a period away from public service, David brings with him his experience as a valued Local Councillor at Mole Valley District Council as well as his business experience locally and nationally.

David will be proposed at the forthcoming AGM on 17th April. All members of the Residents’ Association will be welcome to attend when as well as endorsing David’s appointment there will be opportunity to ratify the result of last year’s ballot bringing about changes to the Constitution.

AGM agenda https://www.ashteadresidents.org.uk/blog/post/21720/ashtead-residents-association–annual-general-meeting/

Hopefully the retirement of Prof Hawksworth as a councillor and the new role for Mr Harper will allow matters to move on between the two groups.

Commenting in the ARA Newsletter and AGM agenda the current Independent group leader, Cllr Chris Hunt, does refer to the Ermyn Way development issue and the need to ensure the highways infrastructure at the junction with the A24 is upgraded and improved.

“…The Government has now said that the draft Mole Valley Plan had been progressed too far for these sites to be excluded at this stage, but plans that have not been progressed
so far can have Green Belt land removed! Thanks to such decisions and subject to the final parts of the process being completed, it now looks like this land will be allocated for housing and Ashtead will grow bigger. Key issues like the Ermyn Way / Leatherhead Road junction will have to be sorted at any planning application stage.”

The ARA AGM takes place 17 April at the Peace Memorial Hall as usual. The bar is open at half time.

The Ashtead Independents are a registered political party, and have the right to use the wording Working with Ashtead Residents on the ballot paper as they have this registered with the Electoral Commission. But they are now separate from the ARA. There is a long tradition of Independent councillors for Ashtead, going back to the era when most councillors were non-political in the former Leatherhead Urban District pre 1974. A tradition that carries on in Epsom and Ewell.

Meanwhile the Leatherhead Residents Association, who have also been looking for a new chairman for some time, has a litter pick starting out from Bull Hill on Sunday 14 April. The current chair is determined to step down this autumn if at all possible, but that was also the case last year.

Residents Association chairs are afforded almost a similar status to Parish Council chairs in Mole Valley and meet with the Council officers on a regular basis for briefings and updates. David Harper will be the second experienced ex councillor to take on one of these roles, following Simon Edge in Bookham. Fetcham RA has a co-chair arrangement at present. Apart from Ashtead, the issue of whether a committee member or helper is also a member of a political party does not seem to arise.

Updated – Planning Applications April 2024

Updated with 24 April committee agenda and latest lists – see below.

Nationwide has now implemented their planning and listed building consent for their new dark blue corporate branding

Latest applications, decisions and information on major development sites.

12 April list including McDonalds Leatherhead shopfront and a new light industrial building at the Axis Centre off Cleeve Road

5 April list including McDonalds signage and the latest application at Pixham End

29 March list

12 April decisions

5 April decisions including committee approval of new warehousing complex off Cleeve Road (brownfield site)

29 March decisions

Murreys Court Ashtead – summary from Ashtead Residents Association on a recent refusal determined by the officers following ARA objection. The developer (Beechcroft) may either appeal this or resubmit a revised proposal for retirement living.

24 April Committee Agenda and Reports

including report recommending permission for Padel Tennis facilities at the old boating lake area behind Leatherhead Leisure Centre

Alternatively, real-time weekly lists of applications registered or decided are also available.

Comment on a Planning Application

If you wish to comment on a planning application that has yet to be decided, you can find more details at Comment on a Planning Application

In late January 2024 the Minister for Housing issued MVDC with a direction not to withdraw its Local Plan

There are currently four main sites in Mole Valley where major development is either proposed, applied for or at appeal

All of them have been through the Local Plan process and are accepted by MVDC and the Government Inspector as ones that in principle will be developed – though there is still one further stage before the Local Plan is adopted. A consultation on modifications required by the Inspector runs to 23 April https://futuremolevalley.org/main-modifications-council-note-35-consultation/

1. Thakeham application for outline permission on the Green Belt site at Preston Farm Little Bookham which is zoned for release in the draft now unpaused Local Plan.

Bookhams Residents Association has submitted a detailed objection https://www.bookhamresidents.org.uk/blog/post/21603/bra-response-to-preston-farm-planning-application-submitted/

2. Ermyn Way – Ashtead / Leatherhead. a pre-application environmental impact screening request was made to MVDC – but not required- ahead of an outline proposal for 270 homes by Countrywide. (This would be in addition to possible brownfield redevelopment of the Exxon site which would be deemed traffic neutral). This site is included in the Local Plan. https://newleatherheadliving.wordpress.com/2024/03/16/updated-ermyn-way-ashtead-planning-application-for-270-homes-expected-soon/

3. Hookwood, in Charlwood Parish on the edge of Horley and Gatwick. An appeal by Rydon Homes on a 446 home Green Belt site on Reigate Road. This was refused by MVDC in 2023 on the basis of the current 2000 Local Plan policies on Green Belt but also on highways and other grounds. But it is now included in the draft Local Plan, though MVDC may no longer be defending the appeal on the Green Belt reason for refusal.

4. MVDC’s own site at Bull Hill Leatherhead within the one-way system. The Leret Partnership Joint Venture with Kier Property will begin engagement on mixed use plans for the site, and for Swan Centre, in late May/June, with an outline hybrid planning application targeted for late 2024 and consent 2025. The Bull Hill site counts as brownfield/ previously developed, with some commitment to a plaza and public space with play facilities in a fundamentally reconfigured site. https://newleatherheadliving.wordpress.com/2024/03/12/leatherhead-town-centre-february-2024-briefing-replay-now-online/

Other significant brownfield sites include Clare and James House on Leatherhead Riverside; Pixham End, and Regent House (Clarion Housing site next to the main station) in Dorking. A Green Belt site west of Dorking, Sondes Place was approved for Gleeson Homes on appeal by a Government Inspector November 2023 while the MVDC Local Plan process was paused.

Updated – Leatherhead McDonalds April 2024

Updated 14 April – essentially a response from the planning department at MVDC to online comments and an anonymous – and possibly therefore invalid – online petition started this month.

“Further to the comments received on this matter, Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) hopes the following information will provide some helpful context:

On 7 March 2024, because there was no planning policy reason to reject the application, MVDC granted permission for a change in the use of 9 – 17 Church Street, Leatherhead. This means the space can now be used for commercial, business and service use and/or a hot food takeaway.

It is important to note that the planning system does not control the occupiers of buildings, only the broad use, and MVDC’s decision doesn’t single out any specific business. Instead, it permits the establishment of any hot food take away and it is for the owner of the unit to choose the tenant.”

One of the ward councillors for Leatherhead South Bridget Kendrick also commented :

….I share concerns with many residents, ‘As with the Church Street unit being taken by McDonald’s the only additional planning consent is if takeaway is added to a food and beverage business use, plus signs and shopfront. No permission is needed for a shop to become a restaurant. Councils have very limited powers to prevent a unit being taken by a particular business that has agreed terms with a commercial landlord. MVDC does have some influence over leases within the Swan Centre as its owner’.

I do know that some retailers, i.e. gaming, have been refused where MVDC is the owner, but that is not the case here. I will be working with residents and fellow councillors to ensure litter, anti -social behaviour, delivery vehicles and how a positive contribution to our town can be made.”

5 April 2024

Details of the actual signage and shopfront for Leatherhead McDonalds in Church Street are now available through the planning system.

This is the former Englishman’s Castle furniture shop next to the Theatre opposite Waitrose – both sides of Church Street have the same landlord including the Nuffield gym

Unit 2 McDonalds.
Unit 1 understood to be under offer for another food and beverage business after the upstairs residential conversion is completed- pic from Hague landlord website

https://planning.agileapplications.co.uk/mole/application-details/125462

https://planning.agileapplications.co.uk/mole/application-details/125461 a parallel application now listed : Alterations to shopfront to include replacement doors and glazing with additional access formed and associated works. (including floorplans https://planningapi.agileapplications.co.uk//api/application/document/MOLE/1857053 )

This is a routine application similar to those in recent years for signage for Taco Bell, KFC and before that Waitrose. It is not an opportunity to object to a McDonald’s as that is not now something the planning system can control. All commercial premises have the same planning use class (E) and no consent is required for a shop or bank to become a restaurant (or vice versa)

As we reported in March and November https://newleatherheadliving.wordpress.com/2024/03/08/9-17-church-street-leatherhead-planning-application-approved/ There was an earlier application by the Church Street landlord Hague Investments in late 2023 to add takeaway to the existing commercial use. This was approved with agreed opening hours and was described as broadening their options for use by potential tenants.

The takeaway approval and anticipated signage approval are routine planning issues and do not mean that MVDC planning department or its councillors has actively encouraged McDonald’s to open (or could have blocked it) as it is basically a landlord and tenant matter with light touch approvals for details rather than a decision on change of use as the planning system has been deregulated by successive Governments . As with KFC and Waitrose. It is not part of the Transform Leatherhead or the Leret Partnership joint venture with Kier Property. MVDC does not own the building.

Similar smaller McDonalds are also understood to be opening in several other town centres including Caterham where like Leatherhead the nearest McDonalds is in the M25 services and cannot be used for delivery of orders made online or collection. Wallington and Worcester Park also. And of course nearby Epsom has had a High Street branch many years as have Walton on Thames and Surbiton.

9-17 Church Street Leatherhead planning application approved

’80 mile school run’ after plans for new SEND school quashed after neighbour objections

Link to article by the Local Democracy Reporter, Emily Dalton, on the setback for the new SEND School in Dorking that parents – and most councillors – thought had been approved and would be built soon. Instead a resident has blocked it by going to the court, a judge has decided they have a case (habitat including bats) and the district council as planning authority have agreed the permission will be quashed and ‘redetermined’.

Surrey mum still faces ’80-mile school run’ after plans for new school quashed 

“They are essentially saying the education of disabled children is unimportant”

Surrey parents fear it is back to the drawing board after plans for ‘much needed’ special needs school will likely be quashed.

Full story 👇https://t.co/vVbcQiDUZ8

— Emily Dalton (@em_daltonn) April 11, 2024

Full article link

Plans for a new Dorking special school could be forced back to the drawing board due to a legal challenge.

Tap below to read more: https://t.co/eDHmFv2wI1

— BBC Surrey (@BBCSurrey) April 12, 2024

Plans for a new Surrey special school could be forced back to the drawing board due to a legal challenge.

Planning permission for Betchwood Vale Academy, which would serve autistic children in Dorking, was approved by Mole Valley District Council last month.

But the High Court has granted permission for a judicial review on the grounds of environmental habitat regulations.

The council will not defend the challenge, instead asking the court to quash the decision due to legal costs, meaning new plans would need to be submitted.

It comes as 82% of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have to commute out of the district to attend school, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Elizabeth, a parent and campaigner for the school, said she was “disappointed, angry and upset” by the challenge.

“Is there any way we can convince these people that what they’re doing is really damaging for the local children of the future?” she asked.

A claimant challenged the procedure on the way the decision was made at the High Court.

The school had a provisional opening date of September 2025.

Residents from a private road near the site have previously objected to the application, claiming it would have an adverse impact on traffic flow and approach to Dorking and a negative effect on biodiversity.

Planning documents show Surrey County Council (SCC) Highways warned of “minor” impacts to traffic on the A25 junctions as a result of the plans.

A Mole Valley spokesperson said it would “reconsult” on the planning application once a decision from the court was made.

SCC said it was “disappointed” with the decision not to defend the judicial review.

But it said it had been advised by the Department of Education of its ongoing commitment to deliver the school once a positive planning application had been confirmed.

Full SCC statement from lead Cabinet councillor Clare Curran (Bookham/Fetcham West)

Clare Curran, Lead Cabinet Member for Children and Families said:
“We are disappointed with Mole Valley’s decision not to defend the judicial review. The proposed development of Betchwood Vale Academy supports our ambition for Surrey to be a place that offers opportunities for autistic people to live healthy and fulfilling lives, where their contributions to local communities are welcomed, supported and valued, and no-one is left behind. Currently, more than 100 autistic children who live in Mole Valley and require a specialist place go to school out of their district, meaning they spend a long time every day travelling long distances between home and school. This doesn’t allow these children and young people to stay connected to their local communities and learn to travel shorter distances independently, which will ultimately impact their long-term outcomes, and supports our view that the proposed Betchwood Vale Academy is critical to achieving Surrey’s ambition that autistic children are educated closer to home.

“We’ve been advised by the DfE of their ongoing commitment to deliver Betchwood Vale Academy in full once a positive planning application has been confirmed, and Surrey County Council is in support of this.”

Ashtead Independent and longtime member of MVDC’s Development Management Committee Cllr Chris Hunt commented

Confident the proper process will be followed to the letter when the application is resubmitted – so it is fair for all those who could benefit so much from the new school as well as the objector. Sadly other applications have come to committee with issues needing deferrals. https://t.co/IuZpPUbtHu

— Chris Hunt (@cllrhunt) April 12, 2024

MVDC statement prepared by the officers as no councillor was involved in the decision to allow the planning consent (approved by councillors March 2023) to be quashed https://news.molevalley.gov.uk

Musical chairs in Ashtead. Empty chair in Leatherhead.

Not an April fool but an update for readers in Ashtead including the Grange Road, Ermyn Way, Quarry Gardens, Hatherwood etc areas whose postal address is Leatherhead but come under Ashtead for electoral purposes.

While residents there may be most concerned about traffic from any potential new housing developments off Ermyn Way, there is a further chapter in the vital debate about whether committee members of the Ashtead Residents Association should be allowed to be members of national political parties.

This is apparently the key issue for the six Ashtead Independent councillors at the ARA AGM and their new candidate standing to replace one who is retiring – Professor Hawksworth, who has a further motion for the ARA to debate on 17 April. https://www.ashteadindependents.org/post/is-the-ara-going-political

Meanwhile in a further twist to this saga, the vacant post of ARA chairman is proposed to be filled by none other than David Harper, who was an official Ashtead Independent councillor 2016-22 but stood as an independent independent 2023 when the number of councillors for Ashtead reduced to six.

https://www.ashteadresidents.org.uk/blog/post/21725/david-harper-welcomed-as-prospective-new-chairman-of-the-residents-association

The Committee of the Ashtead Residents’ Association is very pleased to announce that David Harper has agreed to become the new Chairman of the ARA. After a period away from public service, David brings with him his experience as a valued Local Councillor at Mole Valley District Council as well as his business experience locally and nationally.

David will be proposed at the forthcoming AGM on 17th April. All members of the Residents’ Association will be welcome to attend when as well as endorsing David’s appointment there will be opportunity to ratify the result of last year’s ballot bringing about changes to the Constitution.

AGM agenda https://www.ashteadresidents.org.uk/blog/post/21720/ashtead-residents-association–annual-general-meeting/

Hopefully the retirement of Prof Hawksworth as a councillor and the new role for Mr Harper will allow matters to move on between the two groups.

Commenting in the ARA Newsletter and AGM agenda the current Independent group leader, Cllr Chris Hunt, does refer to the Ermyn Way development issue and the need to ensure the highways infrastructure at the junction with the A24 is upgraded and improved.

“…The Government has now said that the draft Mole Valley Plan had been progressed too far for these sites to be excluded at this stage, but plans that have not been progressed
so far can have Green Belt land removed! Thanks to such decisions and subject to the final parts of the process being completed, it now looks like this land will be allocated for housing and Ashtead will grow bigger. Key issues like the Ermyn Way / Leatherhead Road junction will have to be sorted at any planning application stage.”

The ARA AGM takes place 17 April at the Peace Memorial Hall as usual. The bar is open at half time.

The Ashtead Independents are a registered political party, and have the right to use the wording Working with Ashtead Residents on the ballot paper as they have this registered with the Electoral Commission. But they are now separate from the ARA. There is a long tradition of Independent councillors for Ashtead, going back to the era when most councillors were non-political in the former Leatherhead Urban District pre 1974. A tradition that carries on in Epsom and Ewell.

Meanwhile the Leatherhead Residents Association, who have also been looking for a new chairman for some time, has a litter pick starting out from Bull Hill on Sunday 14 April. The current chair is determined to step down this autumn if at all possible, but that was also the case last year.

Residents Association chairs are afforded almost a similar status to Parish Council chairs in Mole Valley and meet with the Council officers on a regular basis for briefings and updates. David Harper will be the second experienced ex councillor to take on one of these roles, following Simon Edge in Bookham. Fetcham RA has a co-chair arrangement at present. Apart from Ashtead, the issue of whether a committee member or helper is also a member of a political party does not seem to arise.

Over 220 views for town centre briefing replay #Leatherhead

A fundamental mixed use redesign of the central area within the one-way system is now under contract rather than just ideas – some 10/12 years after it was first mooted.

In turn it would fund improvements to Swan Centre which would not be commercially viable to fund separately.

If you missed the late February meeting at the Theatre about changes in parts of central Leatherhead you can now watch or scroll through the 2 hours briefing. Click here to replay or visit https://youtu.be/o7v7qVF4FGk

Over 220 YouTube views as at 30 March, in addition to 300 who watched the live stream and 200 in person at the Theatre.

Further detailed engagement on designs for Bull Hill and Swan Centre is expected aftere the May local election, by the Leret Partnership (joint venture between MVDC and Kier Property, with TP Bennett retained as architects), ahead of a planning application later in the year.

Playback on YouTube of 29 February 2024 Forum meeting at the Theatre in Leatherhead is now online with full captioning and can be scrolled through to Q&A at the end as well as the detailed presentations by councillors and Joint Venture representatives (developer and architect) and some MVDC officers.

Click here to replay or the red button above https://youtu.be/o7v7qVF4FGk

A little later than originally planned (due to some lengthy caption editing), but the full recording of the 2024 Transform Leatherhead Forum is now available via our website: https://t.co/EPyUQa1L1f pic.twitter.com/CrCAdvikBm

— Transform Leatherhead (@Transformleath1) March 12, 2024

Two of the slides covered current High Street issues – but the presentation was about much more than that.

The Transform Leatherhead Forum  featured external speakers from joint venture partner Kier Property and lead architects TP Bennett. These were not just consultants to advise, but the actual developer of the proposal to be built.

What is the Leret Partnership – Joint Venture ?

The MVDC joint venture agreement with Kier Property was signed in October 2023, and both sides have made their first financial investment payments into the partnership. A team of professional specialists has been appointed to begin work on the first stages of the redevelopment.

Ground surveys on the two sites, Bull Hill and the Swan Centre, started in early December – you may have seen some of the surveyors out and about with various pieces of kit. Markings and traffic survey cameras also.

Bull Hill – note the height of the nearby Randalls Way development of over 200 rental apartments already under construction. The blocks proposed. by The Leret Partnership might be expected to be similar?

The first stage of public engagement will start in spring 2024, with an outline planning application targeted for submission later in the year.

Read more about the Joint Venture

Extracts from the business plan by Kier – this is a project document rather than part of the public engagement and more user friendly information can be expected:

The riverside enhancements including Claire and James House site is another project within the TL branding but not part of the Leret Joint Venture.

Awaiting demolition for a Government backed brownfield development – housing possibly a retirement developer ? The demolition contract needs to be in place this month to secure the Government grant. September is the target date for demolition. There is already planning permission in place to build on the site, but the new / latest developer may want to amend that although the ground floor will not be residential, and the historic environmnt around the pub would still need to be impacted for any significant changes. But the principle of using this site has been agreed – with some significant costs in the long process to secure a developer.

New provider for non-emergency hospital transport in Surrey

The new financial year sees some changes to Non Emergency Patient Transport Services to local hospitals including Epsom. The service is commissioned by the Surrey Heartlands Integrated Health and Care Partnership.

https://www.emedgroup.co.uk/locations/surrey/

Usually, NEPTS is available to you if:

• Your medical condition means you cannot use other forms of transport without damaging your health.
• Your mobility means that you would be unable to use any other means of transport – for example, stretcher patients.
• You need the skills and support of specialist patient transport staff – for example, to administer oxygen during the journey.

Surrey

The contract was awarded in October https://www.surreyheartlands.org/news-centre/new-provider-announced-for-two-nonemergency-patient-transport-services-in-surrey-heartlands-2615

ERS Transition Limited trading as EMED Group announced as the new provider of two Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services in Surrey Heartlands.

NHS Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board is pleased to announce that ERS Transition Limited, trading as EMED Group has been appointed to provide two Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services (NEPTS) contracts for the patients of Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care System. This marks the conclusion of a robust, competitive, procurement process initiated in April 2023 and the appointment of a new contract provider for these services from April 2024.

The current NEPTS contracts expire at midnight on 31^st March 2024. The new provider will then immediately become responsible for looking after the non-emergency patient transport needs of the eligible Surrey Heartlands population with the formal contracts starting on 1^st April 2024. These contracts are for a term of five years, and both have an option to extend once for up to a further five years.  Transition arrangements have commenced with the two current providers to ensure this deadline is met.  All parties are committed to keeping patients, staff, healthcare providers and stakeholders fully informed along the mobilisation journey to service launch.

New infrastructure approved across Surrey

Five new infrastructure schemes that will deliver over £6.95 million of improvements for Surrey residents, have been given the green light by Surrey’s Cabinet today (26 March 2024).

Projects include village improvements, a new cycling and walking route and two flood alleviation schemes. The five capital projects are:

Godalming to Guildford cycle and walking corridor (Phase 1)

• A new 7km long cycling and walking route between Guildford and Godalming which will provide a continuous, safer travel route for both pedestrians and cyclists.

Flood alleviation schemes – Reigate and Smallfield

• The Reigate Flood Alleviation Scheme will provide property flood resilience measures for 84 properties that have historically flooded or are at high risk from future flooding. Flood resilience measures such as flood doors, removeable flood barriers, non-return valves, and air brick covers will be installed to minimise the impacts of flooding and protect local communities
• 175 high-risk Smallfield properties will also have property flood resilience measures provided, along with a flood storage area that will reduce high water levels through the village.

Kings Road, Shalford Improvements

• This project is looking to support more sustainable travel to Shalford’s local shops, encourage greater use of local businesses and create pleasant outdoor space in the village
• To achieve this, the project is looking at changing the road layout, widening pavements, moving the existing car parking and creating more cycle parking
• Early engagement with people living around Kings Road is due to start in April.

The Street, Compton, Highway & Public Realm Improvements

• In Compton, measures to slow traffic and other ways to enhance the village and public areas are under consideration – such as village gateways, improved biodiversity, and walking and cycling improvements
• An engagement event was held in early March where residents highlighted what they would like to see changed in the village. Those responses are now being reviewed.

£2.10 million of the funding will come from Surrey County Council, with the rest coming from external funding sources including developer contributions – such as the Community Infrastructure Levy.

The five schemes are part of The Surrey Infrastructure Plan which has been in place since February 2021 to help prioritise investment in infrastructure which supports sustainable economic growth and caters for the needs of Surrey’s businesses and communities.

Natalie Bramhall, Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure said, “This is about the council investing in Surrey – to improve the lives of our residents now and in the future.

“Since Surrey’s Infrastructure Plan was agreed in 2021, the county council has been able to progress a number of projects to improve the county’s infrastructure. These include the improvements to the Black Dog junction on the A308 in Staines, and upcoming town and village improvements in Weybridge, Farnham, Tongham and Horley.

“These five schemes will deliver significant, tangible improvements for our communities including those who have experienced the devastating impacts of flooding and our residents in Surrey villages where road safety is a concern.”

More information is available in the Cabinet paper available here.

Surrey County Council agrees five significant new infrastructure projects worth £6.95 million

. @SCCLeader tells us how this investment will help make Surrey fit for the future. Watch the meeting live or playback after: https://t.co/g1jAE1AHxl

— Surrey County Council News (@SurreyNews) March 26, 2024

https://fb.watch/r2AxJhHE5W/

Surrey County Council agrees five significant new infrastructure projects worth £6.95 million

Chancellor of the Exchequer and South West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt commented

“I am thrilled to learn Farncombe and Godalming have been successful in achieving £3.2m of government funding to improve safety and connectivity on the Farncombe and Catteshall stretch of the 7km Guildford-Godalming Greenway network.

This means delivery of 2.2 km of footway/cycleway improvements on the A3100, plus a new 0.3 km off-road path through Broadwater Park, 11 new crossings (eight of which are signalised) as well as 3.7km of road, cycling and walking improvements along local quiet streets, including traffic calming.

Connectivity will be improved and new and significantly widened shared footpath and segregated cycle tracks are to be constructed. The improvements will enhance connections to Farncombe train station and Godalming town centre with new green routes. Importantly for local school children the scheme also provides improved access to Broadwater School and Godalming Junior School.

At New Pond Road roundabout – the site of 3 recent collisions involving cyclists – there will be new controlled crossings. In addition, pedestrian crossings along the A3100 will improve safety and where possible the walking /cycle route will be segregated away from the road.

This is fantastic news for Godalming and Farncombe residents and school children.”

From a very local perspective in Mole Valley, and Leatherhead the projects beginning to work their way up the priority list do include similar options for the north Leatherhead to Epsom via lower Ashtead and Craddocks Avenue – subject to design and public engagement across the full route.

Local Cycling Walking Improvement Plans stage 2 assessment part funded by MVDC which would inform any funding bid to DfT (Active Travel) – medium term; priorities are Bookham- Leatherhead Station and north Leatherhead to Epsom via lower Ashtead (secondary school travel corridor)

A25 Dorking to Reigate safety improvements happening shortly/already (Government funded) https://news.surreycc.gov.uk/2023/04/06/surrey-awarded-1-8m-from-safer-roads-fund/

M25 Junction 9 /A243 study with National Highways on potential improvements (potentially required through the Local Plan and as a condition of any new development off the A24 in Ashtead. (long term)

😲Top image summer 2023, bottom – today 🙌 Overgrowing vegetation cleared. Needs resurfacing but thanks to whoever actioned this. A243 near Leatherhead Golf Club (Mole Valley District).
You wonder how many other paths are currently in the "before" state, nationwide. pic.twitter.com/NzebxkHo3M

— Jitensha  Oni @jitensha_oni@mastodon.online (@jitensha_oni) March 19, 2024