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.

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.

UPDATED – Green Belt – Mole Valley MP once again debates Local Plan in Parliament

Updated with replay and transcript plus an unexpected intervention from Keir Starmer.

In possibly one of his final interventions in the House of Commons after 32 years, the veteran MP for Mole Valley, Sir Paul Beresford, put on the record once again his long term frustration at the decision to include some Green Belt for housing development allocations.

Replay https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/39bede2d-bdb1-4ef5-9332-5736eb4e3be0

Transcript https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2024-02-22/debates/2C51F53A-06EF-444C-881F-A649CE8AE80F/MoleValleyLocalPlan

The MP remarked:

“….I recognise that the proportion of land protected from development in Mole Valley is considerable, and, relatively speaking, the quality of brownfield sites free for development is small in comparison, but it is not impossible to increase the number of dwellings on those brownfield sites. I know from my own time in inner London that with imagination and the new rules and regulations on building, it is possible to increase density and height and adapt those sites.

It has been claimed that the percentage of green-belt sites that the Liberal plan will remove from protected status is small. However, that is a bit like my saying to a cancer patient that the prospect of a long-term cure is 97%—it sounds great, unless they are in the 3%. That is what is happening with green-belt sites. The figures are small in percentage terms, but if they affect someone who chose to live there in part because of those green-belt sites, it is bad news…”

The Minister told Sir Paul :

‘..It is clear that Mole Valley has not been delivering homes—its delivery is within the bottom 10% nationally, as shown in the latest housing delivery test results. The council has indicated, as part of its examination documentation, that it had a shortfall of 1,164 dwellings over a five-year period, with only 2.9 years of supply.

My hon. Friend will also know that housing affordability is a significant issue in Mole Valley. The council is clearly way, way behind, first on having a plan, and secondly on delivery of housing..’

But, perhaps the elephant in the room was the Leader of the Opposition who was in nearby Crawley today, and made clear that any Labour Party government would prioritise housing even if more Green Belt was needed to do it. BBC Surrey report:

Sir Keir Starmer says he is "determined" to build houses on green belt land in the South East of England.

Tap below to read more: https://t.co/bQYxXm9zqt

— BBC Radio Surrey (@BBCSurrey) February 22, 2024

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-68371594

As a resident of Bookham, Sir Paul is particularly concerned with the proposals for Preston Farm on the western edge of the village. The other Green Belt sites, in the main, are further south in the district including Hookwood, and to the west of Dorking. (The Ermyn Way site nearest to Leatherhead is not in Sir Paul’s constituency).

Sir Paul has always felt that more brownfield land should be zoned for additional homes and taller buildings, although that is already a big part of the draft Mole Valley plan eg. Bull Hill Leatherhead, and Pixham Mills, Dorking.

The MP is also likely to suggest MVDC did not fully take on board what a Minister told them in summer 2023 and could have ‘un-paused’ the examination of their Local Plan earlier. Reply from Minister of State for Housing & Planning to Councillor’s Letter (ED63) On re-reading the letter, it can be taken to say that changes to planning guidance are not normally retrospective. This was eventually confirmed by the next Minister in December 2023, in the revised policy framework. The Minister, who may reply to Sir Paul’s debate on 22nd, also in January 2024 directed MVDC to get on with adopting its Local Plan rather than withdrawing it and preparing a variation under the new framework. Letter from Minister Lee Rowley MP to Councillor Cooksey

The MP has given a flavour of what he might say in a mailshot to constituents that is linked via his Facebook page, but a bit too party political for us to share until he puts some of it on the Parliamentary record.

The Planning Inspector Roisin Barrett has now set out how she will take the process forward in conjunction with the Council and its officers. Further detail/documents at http://www.futuremolevalley.org

Green Belt – Mole Valley MP once again debates Local Plan in Parliament

Updated with replay and transcript plus an unexpected intervention from Keir Starmer.

In possibly one of his final interventions in the House of Commons after 32 years, the veteran MP for Mole Valley, Sir Paul Beresford, put on the record once again his long term frustration at the decision to include some Green Belt for housing development allocations.

Replay https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/39bede2d-bdb1-4ef5-9332-5736eb4e3be0

Transcript https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2024-02-22/debates/2C51F53A-06EF-444C-881F-A649CE8AE80F/MoleValleyLocalPlan

The MP remarked:

“….I recognise that the proportion of land protected from development in Mole Valley is considerable, and, relatively speaking, the quality of brownfield sites free for development is small in comparison, but it is not impossible to increase the number of dwellings on those brownfield sites. I know from my own time in inner London that with imagination and the new rules and regulations on building, it is possible to increase density and height and adapt those sites.

It has been claimed that the percentage of green-belt sites that the Liberal plan will remove from protected status is small. However, that is a bit like my saying to a cancer patient that the prospect of a long-term cure is 97%—it sounds great, unless they are in the 3%. That is what is happening with green-belt sites. The figures are small in percentage terms, but if they affect someone who chose to live there in part because of those green-belt sites, it is bad news…”

The Minister told Sir Paul :

‘..It is clear that Mole Valley has not been delivering homes—its delivery is within the bottom 10% nationally, as shown in the latest housing delivery test results. The council has indicated, as part of its examination documentation, that it had a shortfall of 1,164 dwellings over a five-year period, with only 2.9 years of supply.

My hon. Friend will also know that housing affordability is a significant issue in Mole Valley. The council is clearly way, way behind, first on having a plan, and secondly on delivery of housing..’

But, perhaps the elephant in the room was the Leader of the Opposition who was in nearby Crawley today, and made clear that any Labour Party government would prioritise housing even if more Green Belt was needed to do it. BBC Surrey report:

Sir Keir Starmer says he is "determined" to build houses on green belt land in the South East of England.

Tap below to read more: https://t.co/bQYxXm9zqt

— BBC Radio Surrey (@BBCSurrey) February 22, 2024

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-68371594

As a resident of Bookham, Sir Paul is particularly concerned with the proposals for Preston Farm on the western edge of the village. The other Green Belt sites, in the main, are further south in the district including Hookwood, and to the west of Dorking. (The Ermyn Way site nearest to Leatherhead is not in Sir Paul’s constituency).

Sir Paul has always felt that more brownfield land should be zoned for additional homes and taller buildings, although that is already a big part of the draft Mole Valley plan eg. Bull Hill Leatherhead, and Pixham Mills, Dorking.

The MP is also likely to suggest MVDC did not fully take on board what a Minister told them in summer 2023 and could have ‘un-paused’ the examination of their Local Plan earlier. Reply from Minister of State for Housing & Planning to Councillor’s Letter (ED63) On re-reading the letter, it can be taken to say that changes to planning guidance are not normally retrospective. This was eventually confirmed by the next Minister in December 2023, in the revised policy framework. The Minister, who may reply to Sir Paul’s debate on 22nd, also in January 2024 directed MVDC to get on with adopting its Local Plan rather than withdrawing it and preparing a variation under the new framework. Letter from Minister Lee Rowley MP to Councillor Cooksey

The MP has given a flavour of what he might say in a mailshot to constituents that is linked via his Facebook page, but a bit too party political for us to share until he puts some of it on the Parliamentary record.

The Planning Inspector Roisin Barrett has now set out how she will take the process forward in conjunction with the Council and its officers. Further detail/documents at http://www.futuremolevalley.org

We will add a link to the transcript of the debate and replay on Friday/Saturday.

Planning applications update – 15/22/29 December 2023

Latest MVDC planning lists for the final three weeks of 2023

Summaries of recent planning applications registered or decided (determined) can be viewed and downloaded from the links below.

Running Lists   29 December   22 December 15 December

Decisions    29 December   22 December   15 December

Appeals.            15 December including Fetcham / Leatherhead appeals dismissed

Public Notices

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

A full set of application documents are usually available on the day of registration. Decision notices are available online on the day of the decision.

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

Development Management Committee – recommendations from Council officers for decision by councillors:

Development Management Committee

Next meeting 10 January. two key items on the agenda relate to Ashtead.

Cunningham Eves Solicitors acting for Ashtead Football Club have confirmed that as an unincorporated club there is no requirement for it to be registered with the Charity Commission or for the Trustees to be identified for the purposes of its application to divert the historic diagonal footpath across Ashtead Recreation Ground. Thus the point raised by one of the Ashtead Independent councillors at the December meeting appears to have been answered, though no doubt the Ashtead councillors will continue to speak out against the proposal. Should the Committee agree the recommendation on the footpath diversion, the final decision will be with a Government Planning Inspector.

The other Ashtead proposal is for the Garden Centre site which is recommended for refusal but only on the grounds of insufficient affordable housing. The site could deliver 23 homes against the Government housing requirements MVDC is still required to meet and contribute to a 5 year supply of housing. The decision probably comes down to an interpretation of how Green Belt policies apply to the site, and weighing up the risk of appeal.

Other useful links

Ashtead Residents Association https://www.ashteadresidents.org.uk/planning/

Bookham Residents Association https://www.bookhamresidents.org.uk/blog/post/16582/planning-applications-in-bookham-september-october-and-november-2023-rolling-eight-weeks/

Fetcham Residents Association https://www.fetchamresidents.co.uk/planning/

Leatherhead Residents Association https://www.leatherheadresidents.org.uk

Mole Valley Local Plan website https://futuremolevalley.org

Latest official correspondence on the Local Plan process indicates the Inspector intends to get on with completing the process paused in late 2022, requesting a response from MVDC planning officers by 12 January.  We understand around 20 other local authorities many in the south east, are in a similar position to MVDC on interpreting how the revised Government Policy framework (NPPF) published 19 December might apply to their Local Plans drawn up and examined under the previous Policy.

Views from local politicians on the revised NPPF and impact on Local Plans include :

Cllr Paul Kennedy MVDC Bookham East & Eastwick Park (Lib Dem)

Cllr Margaret Cooksey MVDC Cabinet member for Planning (Lib Dem)

Cllr Marisa Heath, SCC Cabinet member for the Environment and prospective Parliamentary candidate Dorking & Horley (Conservative)

See below my letters to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities and the Chair of the Licensing & Planning Policy Committee – regarding the updated National Planning Policy Framework and what it means for Epsom & Ewell and it’s Local Plan
👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽 https://t.co/K6O5Naxxls

— Kieran Persand (@KieranPersand) December 24, 2023

the EEBC Local Plan is at a much earlier stage than Mole Valley’s.

Significant housing planned for Leatherhead brownfield sites. If sufficient housing units are proposed, this could help demonstrate more of the ‘5 year housing supply’ and lift sone of the pressure to build on Green Belt locations across the district. https://t.co/VivRRfclgr

— Green Cllr Scott (@cllrLisaScott) December 23, 2023

And the Labour shadow Housing minister:

We must have a planning system geared toward meeting housing need in full in every part of England.

For us, this is non-negotiable.

A Labour government will start the process of reversing Michael Gove's damaging reforms on day one.https://t.co/a86GfnJw9w

— Matthew Pennycook MP (@mtpennycook) December 20, 2023