Dear Members

As I mentioned in the January Bulletin that we might, we did have a Members Meeting in early February (actually, it was on Monday 9^th  February) to discuss the Transform Leatherhead Planning Application and the consultation on the possibility of Leatherhead having a Parish Council. 

For those not able to be present, LRA Director, Martyn Williams, spoke first on the Planning Application and noted that some 730 representations had been received by the Council’s Planning Department.  The very great majority of these were objections, primarily to the perceived over-development and excessive height of the proposals for Bull Hill.  Since the meeting the number of representations has risen further, and it is thought that once recent receipts are logged onto the website, the total will be around 840.

Martyn also commented that the likely date for a decision on the Application remains unclear, but that is very unlikely to be before the Unitary Authority elections in early May.  So, if you wish to comment on the Application there is still time to do so.

If you wish to discuss the issues or find out how to lodge a Representation, please contact LRA Director Steve Preston via the LRA website.

Susan Hood of “Save Bull Hill” then reported on the Group’s progress with fund raising to pay for their Planning Consultant’s professional critique of the Application.  She requested donations via the “Save Bull Hill” website from anyone who had not yet donated.  Donations can also be left in the LRA mailbox at the Letherhead Institute.  (If writing a cheque, please make it out to “Save Bull Hill”.)   The LRA will pass your donation on to the Save Bull Hill group.

LRA Chairman, Tim Caffell, then gave a short talk on the pro’s and con’s of Leatherhead being granted “Parish Council” status.   As the consultation closed on 20^th February, the matter is in the hands of our Council to make the final decision.

My next subject is the Swan Centre’s poll for the 2026 Charity of the Year.  There is quite a long list to choose from, and they all have a strong presence, if not their headquarters, here in Leatherhead. 

You need to choose from:  The Leatherhead Youth Project; The Samaritans (Leatherhead Branch); Dyscover; LeatherHEAD START; Freewheelers; Combat Stress; Cardiac Risk in the Young; and Leatherhead Rotary.

https://form.jotform.com/260472798581369 will take you to further information and the ability to cast your vote on the web, but there is an office in the Swan Centre (upstairs, I think) where you can hand in a hard copy, and a bright red letter box by the lifts opposite Sainsbury’s entrance.

Our Treasurer, Paula Sabine, has asked me to remind everyone, that if you have received an email regarding renewing your subscription, please could you renew your membership.  This will be because you have a yearly membership or your 3-year membership expired at the end of 2025.   

Another email, with renewal details, will be sent to those members who haven’t yet renewed, just after the bulletin is emailed out.

The LRA value your support.

Please don’t forget that donations are also gladly accepted!

With all best wishes 

Caroline (Brown)

Director

Dear Members

I hope that you have all had a happy and enjoyable few days over Christmas/New Year, seeing members of your family, opening presents and consuming food that does not usually form part of your diet, but is so very enjoyable.

For the LRA it has been a busy time, largely because of the submission of the Planning Application in respect of the proposed development of “The Red House Gardens,” aka “Bull Hill”, and the Swan Centre by the Leret Partnership.

First of all, there was, what seemed to us, the rather late publication of the Application on 2nd December plus the inconveniently early closing date for public comment thereon of 6th January. After protest this was changed to 14th January. However, we now learn that it is unlikely that the Application will be considered before the summer, possibly even late summer.

Quite why the Application should be rushed out just before Christmas and then a decision on it delayed for months is currently a mystery. Could it be that the approximate 670 comments on the Application, mostly critical of particularly the Bull Hill element, and the recent refusal of consent for another “tower-block” development in Redhill, have caused Leret to have a rethink as to the Leatherhead proposals? We can only live in hope!

However, there are also other matters afoot requiring our attention and thought. Once the current District and County Councils are abolished in 2027, settlements that do not already have Parish Councils can opt to set them up to act as liaison bodies between residents and the new Unitary Authorities on local more minor matters.  Funding would be by an additional charge (a precept) added to everyone’s Council Tax.

Leatherhead is a possible candidate for a Parish Council and there is a Public Consultation in progress at the moment, which runs until Friday, February 20th. For further information please go to “Community Governance Review” on the Mole Valley Council website. The responses will be taken into account when our Council makes its decision.

I regret to say that my recent report expressing delight at work at last taking place on the old “Building Supplies” shop at the top of our High Street has proved wrong.  The shop behind the retained façade has been demolished, but there doesn’t appear to be anything further taking place at the moment.  However better news is that the former Santander shop, at the junction of High Street and Church Street, has at last been let and fitted out, albeit as yet another coffee shop. However, I suppose a smart coffee shop is better than an empty property.

The L.R.A. is to have a members’ meeting on Monday 9^th February to discuss the up-to-date position on both the Transform Leatherhead Planning Application and the consultation on the prospect of a Parish Council for our Town.

As usual the meeting will be at 7.30pm at The Methodist Church.

I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on the 9^th February.

With all best wishes

Caroline Brown (Director in the LRA).

Dear Members

I hope you had a pleasant and enjoyable Christmas, even with the Planning Application for the Swan Centre and Bull Hill (APP NO. MO/2025/02695) hanging over us.   We still have a lot to be thankful for – peace, food, families and (so far!) reasonable weather!

You will know that various of our members have been standing in the High Street in Leatherhead on Saturday mornings, armed with a pamphlet explaining the detail of the Planning Application primarily in respect of our Park near the station (Bull Hill).   This Application is not just a question of a few extra houses or flats, but whole, large and tall blocks of them on a space currently studded with trees and open grassland, most of which will have to disappear.

There is also the question of that essential accompaniment to modern life – the car or motorbike.  With 276 flats planned for Phase 1, it is not difficult to visualize queues trying to get into or out of the proposed development, particularly at peak traffic times when the ring-road around the Park can already be congested.  And then take note, that this is only Stage/Phase One and there are roughly just as many people, cars and flats/houses planned for Stage Two.

If you have strong views on this Application, I do recommend that you make them known to the planners at MVDC by the Revised cut-off date of 14^th January 2026.

Another interesting fact has just come to my notice: a few months ago, in Glasgow, they demolished FOUR blocks of high-rise flats, the reason being that they suffered from having a high turnover and low demand!  The crowds cheered!!

Another interesting Planning Application, MO/2024/1506, appeared in the Autumn.   This is for the site of the former Trinity Children’s Centre, where a Residential Care Home for the Elderly is envisaged.  The plan still seems open for comment.

This site is very near another one called “The Bridge”, which has been successfully used as a Youth Centre for a number of years.  It contains both indoor and outdoor spaces for both quiet and noisy activities.   However, some of the cement used in its construction is RAAC, (=Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete), which needs either treatment or removal.  The difficulty is who should finance this.   Surrey Council owns the ground, but Mole Valley Council owns the building.   At the meeting I attended, several builders were keen to offer their services to remove the suspect panels and to do so at a price much lower than demolishing the whole building.  But it seems that the whole thing is fraught with risk and so Mole Valley Council has decided on demolition.   This has severely disappointed many who live nearby, both young and old.

On a slightly more upbeat note, I would like to thank the person on the Swan Centre Management who dreamed up the idea of “Free Strawberries and Cream!” one day last summer with a band playing in the centre.   Friends could be met or bumped into and it all contributed to a delightful stress-free afternoon.   

It is also good to see some trees being replaced in Church Street, as it was quite painful seeing the young Lime Trees being removed.

Finally, although I and others have sorely missed the efficient Building Supplies shop at 67 High Street, it is a relief to see men at work there, repairing the walls, saving the idiosyncratic half circular tiled top to the name plaque and generally preparing the building for its conversion into a number of flats but all the while preserving the old shop as a future commercial area.  (fingers crossed!!)

With all best wishes for a happy, fulfilling Spring.

Caroline Brown

(LRA Director)

Dear Members

I do hope you are all (reasonably!) well and enjoying our occasional and unexpected fine days. I think that we, here in Surrey, seem to have been spared the fierce rain and bitter cold being experienced in other parts of the country!

For those of you who were unable to attend our AGM on 27th October, we now have a new Chairman, Mr. Tim Caffell, and two vice Chairmen, Mr. Metin Huseyin, and Mr. Steve Preston. They all live in Leatherhead and are fully aware of the issues that it faces at the moment.  I remain as a Director (and the Bulletin producer!).

As regards our beloved Park (i.e. “Bull Hill”), a very recent email from MVDC tells us that the Transform Leatherhead Planning Application should be made public sometime in the next 2 weeks. This could mean that the start of the consultation period is only a fortnight before Christmas! If that is the case, I do hope that the Planning Department will extend the consultation period, as I am sure Leatherhead Residents will have other matters to occupy them for the 10 days of the Christmas/New Year period. Meanwhile, Mr. Duncan Clarke from our Planning Dept. is pleased to tell us that Leatherhead has got a 5.1 yr. housing land supply, unlike Epsom and Ewell with only 1.49 years or Tandridge’s 1.92 yr. supply. So, hopefully, this means that there should not be any unexpected demands for an increase in Mole Valley’s supply, at least, not yet.

The Swan Centre activities

Meanwhile, the Swan Centre staff seem to be working hard to make use of its advantages and encouraging us to do the same. Recent publicity quotes, “The Swan Centre will be transformed into a winter wonderland as Santa and his band of dancing elves take centre stage, spreading festive cheer and joy to families across the community. Visitors can look forward to classic cars decorated for Christmas, hands-on festive crafts, a magical Christmas trail, and plenty of opportunities to capture perfect festive photos”.

To make the experience even more special, guests can enjoy a complimentary glass of alcohol-free mulled wine as they soak up the sights and sounds of the season and yet drive home safely. These festive events are scheduled for 29th November, 6th and 13th December and there is the added attraction that free parking will be on offer in Mole Valley on all these days!!

Countryside Matters

This group is repeating its very helpful and climate friendly offer of last year. It will be giving away 4000 trees, FREE, at various locations across Surrey. If you would like one to plant at home, go to one of the seven Community Recycling Centres (CRCs) from 9am to 4pm on Friday, 28th or Saturday 29th November or on Monday 1st December.​

On offer will be a mix of small and medium native tree species, such as crab apple and Hazel. All trees will be given away with a handy guide for aftercare and should be planted within 7 days. To help the organisers manage demand, pre-booking is required. Please visit your nearest CRC and ask about this initiative.

The Leatherhead Institute

The LCA managers are putting on some unexpected entertainment for the Christmas season:

There is to be a Christmas Wreath Making Workshop on Saturday 29 November from 9.30 to 12.30 in the morning and from 1 pm to 4.00pm in the afternoon. There will be 10 people per session and the cost is £45, with pre-booking a requirement. The “Brigitte Trust” charity in Dorking is the beneficiary. If you are interested, please contact Meredith on lcal@leatherheadca.org.uk or go into the LCA office any weekday morning between 9.30 and 12.30 or visit the LCA website.

The Story of Pantomime is the title of a Christmas talk to be given by Malcolm Jones on Friday, 12th December at 2.30 pm. Pantomime has remained an essential part of the theatrical repertoire for over 300 years. Mr. Jones will trace the story of the Pantomime from the 18th Century, through the 19th Century when the fairy tale plots we are all familiar with were established, and on to the music hall entertainers who created many of the traditions we know as the Christmas Pantomime. Following the talk, tea, coffee and mince pies will be served. Bookings were open from 1st October, and the above talk costs £4 if paid in advance, or £5 on the day.

Santa and his team will be returning to the Kirby Library (in The Institute) in December. The traditional, Victorian style grotto will be open from Saturday, 13th December right up until Tuesday, 24th December. There will also be the beautiful grotto Christmas tree in the library from the beginning of December. If you would like to arrange a visit, you can find out more at

Also on Saturday, 13th December but only for one day, there will be a free showing of the film “Nativity” at 11 am, plus a festive craft table. This will be followed at 2 pm by a film called “The Holiday” featuring local Surrey Scenes.

I will finish this Bulletin now, but I would also like to remind Members that there is a group of people in the Town called “Save Bull Hill,“ who are supported by the LRA, who are trying desperately to get the proposed development of The Park reduced in size. They are raising money to pay for a Town Planning expert to contest the scale of the proposals. Donations can be made to their crowd-funding site (Gofundme) for which there is a link on their website. All donations would be very much appreciated.

Meanwhile, I wish you all a happy pre-Christmas season and happy present hunting and/or Christmas card sending.

Caroline Brown (Director)

Dear Members

I hope you are well and adjusting to our new colder and gloomier climate!   But soon it will be time to look at bright and shiny winter decorations.  (Notice:  I did not say “our Christmas decorations” – I will reserve those words for the November Bulletin!)

The first thing on the LRA calendar is our AGM in just over a week’s time, on Monday the 27th October (The Papers for the meeting are all on the LRA website under the section headed “Documents”).   It will be quite a momentous day for us:  four Directors require Member approval to their re-appointment or appointment; I will retire as Chairman and Hilary Porter will retire as a Director and there will be an announcement as to my replacement(s) as Chairman.  We will also have a speaker to entertain/inform you after the formal proceedings.   The Meeting will take place in the usual venue of the Methodist Church at the usual time of 7.30pm.

There is still no news as to the Planning Application in respect of Transform Leatherhead that the Leret Partnership promised for this Autumn, but if one is lodged between now and the 27th, we will endeavour to explain and debate its content at the AGM.   However, it may be necessary to convene an emergency meeting after the 27th to do justice to the subject.

Some of you may have attended the M.V. Council Meeting on Tuesday, or read about it on-line, when the Transform Leatherhead project was mentioned.   It was gratifying to hear Councillor Slater spell out the apparently astonishing unfairness between the amount promised for the second phase of the refurbishment of Dorking Halls (£14-15million  from Council funds i.e. Residents’ Council Tax) and the way Leatherhead’s renewed Swan Centre is to be financed (£7million from the sale of our park, The Red House Grounds).    As I am sure most of you know, the loss of this Park is being bitterly opposed by many, many Residents.

While on this subject, please do not forget the “Gofundme” crowd-funding being carried out by the “Save Bull Hill” action-group to raise money to pay for a consultant Planner to scrutinise and submit a representation in respect of the Planning Application, when it is lodged by the developers.  You will find the Gofundme.com link on the Save Bull Hill website.

One of our members has anonymously given us some money as a donation to the Save Bull Hill funds.   This money has indeed been passed on.

As if a fundamental remodelling of our Town is not enough for residents to deal with, we now also have to consider the complete restructuring of local government in our County. Should our District Councils be wound up and their functions taken over by restructured County Councils and should Surrey be divided into two or three of these?   Then, might there be a democratic representation shortfall that necessitates the formation of Parish or Town Councils, where they do not already exist?   Various pros and cons are relatively easy to identify, but whether they suggest that the proposal is worthwhile or not is much less easy to conclude. 

At a much more local level, but effective in its way, is our regular Litter Pick.    I am hoping to have that on Sunday 2nd November and will confirm either at the meeting on 27th or in a general email. It will take the usual form:  I will sit in or out of the car in the northern parking area of Bull Hill, next to the hedge, from 2pm.   So, our volunteers can bring their bag(s) of rubbish and it can be organised into one pile to be picked up by M.V. the next day.   Don’t forget that MV gives us £1 for each bag gathered up to 30 bags.    If the weather is obliging, we usually stop for a cup of tea and a little chat at the end.

I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at our A.G.M. on the 27th.

With best wishes

Caroline Brown (Chairman)

Please note that our local Leatherhead Art Club is holding its annual exhibition in the old chapel at St. John’s School from 18th October to 26th October.   You will be amazed at the talent hidden away in our houses and flats!

Dear Members

Firstly, I am pleased to announce that our 2025 AGM will take place on Monday 27th October at 7.30 in the Leatherhead Methodist Church.   There will be quite a full business agenda, including a number of announcements regarding changes to our Board.   We also hope to have secured a speaker to follow on from the formal part of the meeting.

As to local issues you should be aware of, could I direct you to the consultation that our Council is currently conducting as to whether the reported noise and anti-social behaviour of some road-users on the A24 requires Council intervention?  The section of road concerned is that between Denbies roundabout and the Givons Grove roundabout.   The consultation is open for Residents’ comments until 31st October and can be found on-line at https://www.molevalley.gov.uk/a24/  or in hard copy at the Council offices in Dorking or at Dorking Halls.

And now for some good news:   I have just heard that our local Poors Allotments has been on the National Television and in the newspapers after a young couple, who only started on their allotment this year, grew two giant pumpkins “the size of three baby elephants” according to the Daily Telegraph!   Their largest exhibit in the national competition achieved third prize, no small feat!   Hopefully, following the announcement that they will donate bulbs to local worthy groups, Squires Garden Centres might donate a large bag of bulbs to increase the beauty of the Poors site for its many users and admirers?

I understand that, for a week, from 1st September, our Council via their contractors, Amey LG Ltd., was offering free removal of graffiti from walls or fences.   Did you or your neighbour benefit from this?   If so, let me know and I will report your gratitude to MVDC.   Maybe next year Amey will repeat the initiative if they know it was appreciated!

We have been hearing a lot about possible changes in Local Government – is Surrey to be divided into two or three Unitary Authorities when the existing County Council and District Councils are disbanded?   And will those Unitary Authorities have close enough contact with local communities or is there a need for very local representation?   If so, should this be Parish Councils, Community Forums or even enhanced Residents Associations?   Mole Valley has published a very useful document called Community Governance Review, which provides much information and seeks your views on the options.   You can find it on-line at https://www.molevalley.gov.uk/cgr/  and you have until 17 October to complete the survey.

Turning now to the ever-present subject of Transform Leatherhead, we still await the Leret Partnership’s planning Application.   The hope, albeit perhaps not the expectation, is that as far as Bull Hill at least is concerned, it will be more harmonious and sympathetic to the existing fabric of our Town than the proposal put out for consultation.   In that, 450 or more flats in tower blocks up to 12 storeys high, a monolith multi-storey car park and a 10-storey office building made our current central Park look more like Goodwyns in Dorking or Central Sutton or Croydon.   LRA Director, Steve Preston, made these points when he recently appeared on Dave Smiths Sunday morning show on Surrey Hills Radio.

In the meantime, the approx. 1600 subscribers to the petition against the Bull Hill consultation proposals have formalised themselves into a group known as Save Bull Hill, (SBH).   They are raising funds through crowd-funding and intend to hire a consultant Town Planner to assess the proposals that form the planning application and make a representation as to any unacceptable features to the Planning Department.   They have a web-site (just google “Save Bull Hill”) and there is a link to their “Gofundme” account where you can make a donation.  The LRA are working with SBH and have contributed to their finances.

I will finish by reminding you of the Arts Alive Festival which starts on 27 September and continues to 3 November.

With all my best wishes for the next few weeks and I very much hope to see as many of you as possible at our AGM on 27th October, which will be my last meeting as Chairman of the LRA.

 With all best wishes

Caroline (Brown)

Chair of the Leatherhead Residents’ Association

Dear Members

I hope you have all been able to enjoy and appreciate the mostly wonderful weather we have been having over the last few months.   It still seems incredible to me that there is serious talk of water shortages and even drought.  

On a more optimistic note, on a short walk from Church Street into High Street a couple of days ago I saw signs of Leatherhead that really should boost our confidence in our Town.   My walk started at about 2pm outside Waitrose and the first thing I noticed was a conspicuous lack of litter.   My eye was then caught by an impressive amount of scaffolding on the building above McDonalds and Prezzo.   One of the workmen told me that all the windows were going to be replaced and some of the interior accommodation was going to be re-furbished.   As I turned round, the next view contained a re-incarnation of our old Fruit and Vegetable stall!    Behind it, even the ever-closed night club had its lights on and palm trees and pink blossom trees were visible.

The entrance to the Swan Centre was decorated by two very shiny, quite large foreign cars (apologies for not knowing their make) which, to judge by the cameras, were of great interest to some of the men gazing at them.   Further in, there was a girl demonstrating how to create large, multiple bubbles using a fishing net.   Some of our former stall holders were also there, selling socks and snacks.

But the real highlight of the afternoon was the little stall just outside Victoria London and Sainsbury’s.    This stall was equipped with adapted barrels for tables and seats and it was offering anyone who came along a free bowl of strawberries and cream!   And they were delicious …… no hint of any unripe sharpness!

Someone in the Swan Centre must have really put their thinking caps on to create this delightful attraction and they should be congratulated.

My next item is called “Love Where You Live” and concerns a generous offer of some 20,000 bulbs from Squires.   They would like to hear from Community Groups (like the LRA) and they would expect such groups to plant the bulbs themselves.   The groups are expected to be within a five miles radius of their 17 Centres and must not be commercial or private organisations.   They anticipate that each group would receive a minimum of 320 bulbs that would cover about 5 sq.m.   Applications should be made by someone representing the group and be involved in it.   Do let me know if you or your organisation would be interested in applying.

My next announcement concerns Monday 25th August, in the Fortyfoot Recreation Ground, from 12.00 midday to 4.00pm.   This is a Community Fun Day organised by the Leatherhead Lions, which I am sure most of you will recognize.   There will be various stalls, and free bus services to and from North Leatherhead, Ashtead, Fetcham and Bookham.

The Leatherhead bus is roughly once an hour from Woodbridge, Tesco (starting at 11.56, then 12.56, then 13.56 and the last at 14.56).    Of course, there is also a bus back again!    The Leatherhead bus has been sponsored by the Leatherhead Residents’ Association.  

Once in the Park, there are promises of ‘Fun and Games’, ‘Entertainment’, ‘Refreshments’ and a Dog Show.   The Dog Show was particularly good fun last year!

Before I finish, I must add that the LRA and the Save Bull Hill group have agreed to work together to influence whatever is proposed for the enormous development being planned for the Red House Gardens, as and when the final iteration is made public in a Planning Application (expected in September).  Whilst we appreciate the necessity of providing new housing in the Town and the desirability of some of the profit being used to improve the Swan Centre, in our view the volume of development shown in the consultation proposals was just too much for the site and our Town to bear!

So, I will leave you mulling over that and hope to see you next Monday.

With all best wishes

Caroline (Brown)

Chair of the Leatherhead Residents’ Association.

Dear Members

First a piece of news regarding our L.R.A.    We are pleased to confirm that former Mole Valley Councillor, Metin Huseyin, has accepted an offer to join the Board of Leatherhead Residents’ Association, subject to ratification by Members at the next AGM (likely to be in September or October).

Meanwhile, a variety of meetings and decisions have taken place this month, the full effect of which is not likely to be felt until next year.  

1. The most dramatic of these was, in my opinion, on 24th July when the various local Residents’ Associations were invited to meet with the Leret Partnership.  The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the traffic problems that are likely to arise on the roads surrounding the Park (notably Station Road) when the development proposed for the Park (known as Bull Hill) comes to fruition.  We had not had such a meeting before, and I did sense a certain feeling of unease among the developers.

The invitees did not hold back on their concerns that these already heavily trafficked roads will not be able to cope with the extra traffic generated by the development, particularly in the case of Station Road.   It already has eight drive-ways seeking to enter/exit on to the road and to these will be added the principal vehicular access to the site, including to the huge multi-storey car park.   It was suggested that the 450 flats would generate more walkers than drivers but given that every car is likely to make a difference, their impact cannot be ignored.    

2. The Government is running a “Community Governance Review” (CGR) which is specifically designed to ascertain what administrative bodies will be needed by communities in the future.   Some parishes, for example, have grown so much that it is thought that they might prefer to consider themselves a town and thus need a Town Council.

3. A change which is likely to affect Leatherhead is the application by the owner of Ashcombe House on The Crescent to convert it into 25 flats.   The most problematic aspect of this proposal is whether the out of hours public parking behind the building will be retained.​

4. Local cycling and walking infrastructure plans (=LCWIP) which you may have heard of in connection with a path from Leatherhead to Bookham, is still being discussed in earnest, even though there are quite a few difficulties to be overcome.  Eventually, it is hoped that such a path will extend to Epsom.

5. One of our members is finding it extremely difficult to get out from his house to any of our surrounding villages or towns.   He said that years ago there used to be a “Help your Neighbour scheme” but he could not find it now.  However, one of our Directors reminded us all that the Mole Valley Care Transport Scheme (or “Connect”) can provide just such a service.    The online address is www.molevalleyconnect.org.uk

6. And now for a community event to take place on (Bank Holiday) Monday, 25th August 2025 in the Forty Foot Road Recreation Ground.   It is a Leatherhead Lions Fun Day and will include a Dog Show, a bus ride and other attractions.   

7. I have just received a letter from <kirstenjohnson451@gmail.com> who tells me that the noise from over-powered, noisy motorbikes is once again disturbing the peace in Mickleham and other nearby places.  She and others affected would like to see a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) covering the road between the Givons Grove and Denbies roundabouts plus a trial of acoustic cameras near the Burford Bridge roundabout.

Kirsten needs 800 signatures from the MV area or within the county of Surrey.

Contact: https://www.change.org/p/request-for-pspos-and-acoustic-cameras-in-mole-valley

And now, I just need to remind you about our next LRA meeting on Monday 4th August in the Leatherhead Methodist Church where Mr. Michael Herrity will be talking about our Leatherhead Allotments between Barnett Wood Lane and Bypass Road and his hopes and plans for their future.

With best wishes

Caroline Brown (Chairman)

Dear Members

1. MVDC Finance

I do hope that, in spite of all the complaints and moans that you will have heard, that you will have taken pleasure in seeing the lovely countryside where we live covered in sunshine and bright flowers! It is also a relief to know that apparently Mole Valley, unlike some other local authorities, is not drowning in debt; a position which would hamper their progress significantly in the difficult years to come.   Our new Leader of the Council, Bridget Kendrick, said, “I’m proud of the progress we’ve made and confident in our ability to meet the challenges ahead with resilience and focus.”

2. CIL Money

One area where the efforts of local people is particularly felt is where it is supported by “CIL” (Community Infrastructure Levy) money.    This is money collected from developers by the Council and then allocated to local bodies to ensure that locally needed facilities and/or buildings are provided.   For instance, I am informed that the Leatherhead Poors Allotment Society will be making a grant request in respect of their plans to improve facilities at their site, particularly in respect of its use by children the aged and the disabled. 

3. The Banking Hub

And now to the much debated “Banking Hub.”   I was among the many astonished people who learned that “Leatherhead did not meet the criteria for a Banking Hub.”  Leatherhead, which had had at least seven major bank branches about a year or so ago, is apparently now too small and (?) insignificant to warrant a Banking Hub such as Dorking had been allocated? Councillor Paula Keay feels the same and will push for a better result for Leatherhead.  

4. EV Charging Stations

EV Charging Stations are becoming quite the “must have” for some areas!    However, when these are planned there are many aspects to be considered, apart from the convenience for the motorist.  You need a wide enough road to accommodate both the parked vehicles being charged and two  lanes for normal traffic.  The pavement must not be reduced or push chairs and wheelchairs will be hampered on their route.  Charging takes time.  Will the drivers have anywhere to go while they are waiting?  Car parks and commercial or industrial areas are much more suitable for this kind of use.  The reason this has come to my notice is that some neighbours recently received a notification of a proposed charging point installation without any prior consultation and in a location that was outstandingly unsuitable!!​

5. Summer Holiday Activities

Finally, I am going to finish on a joyful note, though some of us, regrettably, are too old to really appreciate it!   Mole Valley District Council is delighted to be working in partnership with local sport and leisure organisations to offer a wide range of free, fun and inclusive indoor and outdoor activities for children this summer.   From skateboarding, to art, bushcraft, dance and many more, these activities from local, trusted and experienced providers are all designed to keep children active and entertained over the holiday period.

Taking place between 23 July and the end of August, these free activities for 0-16s have been selected to support a range of differing needs and abilities, to provide great opportunities to try something new and to make new friends.  There are sites all over MV.

Choose one or more activities your child would like to take part in and register their place as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.    As these activities have limited slots available per activity, please only book into the programme if you are confident your child can attend, so as not to deprive another of the opportunity. (visit: https://molevalley.gov.uk/holidayactivities)

6. Next Open Meeting

I have been trying to fix a date for our next open meeting, but, anticipating that it will definitely be on either Monday 28th July or on Monday 4th August, I am going to keep those two dates circled on my calendar.   Our speaker is going to be Mr. Michael Herrity whom some of you may know as the Leader of LPAS, or Leatherhead Poors Allotment Society.   He has great plans for this (which he hopes will be furthered by a CIL grant) so that no one will feel left out of the group for any reason, and also so that the aims and activities of the Society can be greatly increased.

My best wishes for a happy holiday to everyone.

Caroline (Brown)

Chair of the Leatherhead Residents Association

Dear Members

I never thought that I would get tired of continuously dry, sunny weather! After all, ordinarily we need to flock to the coasts of Spain, Greece and France in our thousands to enjoy such weather!  But for such conditions to come to our own backyards recently is somewhat unnerving! Our plants were not bought with weather like this in mind!

I have had an unprecedented number of communications on the subject of the amalgamation of District Councils into our County Council and its subsequent sub-division. Nine of Surrey’s District and Borough Councils are in favour of a tripartite division, whereas Elmbridge, Mole Valley and Surrey itself would prefer two.  New elections in whatever format the Government decides will take place next May 2026.

On the same subject, Mole Valley Council Leader, Councillor Stephen Cooksey, has announced his retirement from this role so that he can concentrate on the process of Council re-organisation. The new Executive Leader is Cllr. Bridget Kendrick and her deputy is Cllr. Claire Malcomson. Councillor Roger Adams will take over as Chairman, whilst Councillor Simon Budd becomes Vice-chairman. In addition, Tim Hall has taken the ceremonial role of SCC Chairman.

Perhaps in light of the tremendous amount of development that is anticipated over coming years, our Council is currently consulting on new “Design Codes” for our District. These ‘codes’ attempt to provide guidance as to what the Planning Department will regard as acceptable in design terms for various forms of development throughout the various parts of the District.  The draft “Codes“ are currently available for inspection and comment in all our public libraries and there will also be several drop-in events where residents can also make comments.  For further information, visit: www.molevalley.gov.uk/planning-building/consultations/. Any questions? The Kirby Room in the Institute will be open on 9 June from 4pm to 8pm.

Over the past nine months, MVDC reports that it has allocated more than £149,000 of Business Support Grant Funding to local Businesses from UK Government Funds. This was formerly called the “Shared Prosperity Fund” (UKSPF).  A family mediation organisation, a child cancer support organisation, a Fetcham-based day trip and short break holiday specialist, and the Riverbridge House Business Centre have all been recipients of funds.  Another Fund, known as the “Neighbourhood Fund Agreement” has helped with the upkeep and maintenance of various facilities in our area of Surrey.  In Leatherhead, the North Leatherhead Community Hub café and Well Being Garden have been recipients of grants, which consist of money collected from developers when new homes or commercial premises are built in the District.  Anyone can make an application to the Neighbourhood Fund at any time of the year to help deliver new infrastructure or maintain what already exists.  The next deadline for applications is 2 June 2025.

Blue Heart Verges: I have seen a very interesting document on Surrey Council’s management of our road verges.  It explains that Conservation verges fall into two categories: Amphibian verges and Botanical verges, the first being popular with toads and frogs and the second with various types of orchid.  It is explained that the standard for grass cutting across Surrey is 6 urban cuts, 2/3 rural cuts and 2 high-speed road cuts per year.  Although the reasons and benefits of removing grass cuttings are understood, it is simply too expensive for it to be raked up, transported and disposed of, so it is left in situ.

And now for two issues raised by one of our Directors – do you have an opinion?

1. The Bollards on Cleeve Road: they narrow the road so that it is safer for the pupils to cross the road while going to or coming from Therfield School.  My co-director points out that some drivers simply pull them out so as to facilitate access for their lorry or van!  There is no development currently going on along Cleeve Road, so presumably these large/wide vehicles travel along Cleeve Road, using it as a short cut, when they should be using Kingston Road plus Randalls Road.

2. There is talk about the access road to the Tip being improved.  With all this dry weather, the deep potholes are, thankfully, visible.  There was an attempt to warn drivers with some yellow road markings, but these have now faded.  Why cannot repairs be made during this dry summer weather, before winter comes and we are all confronted with having to drive through ponds of dirty water in order to use our re-cycling facility?  It may be that the road is simply inadequate and needs re-building??

On a more up-beat note I can report that we had a very successful VE Day on May 5^th.   A collection of memorabilia from the war years had been organised and also on show there was a vintage lorry, a huge Leatherhead Urban District Rescue car and a very long, American jeep.  Inside the Parish Hall, there were ration books, savings books, bomb casings, flags galore, music and, at intervals, dancing and a film.  Representatives of various charities had gathered together to hold raffles in aid of their particular Cause. Your Chairman even won a mug and socks with prints of a very modern character, The Mandalorian, so she now feels very up to date!  For many, the day finished with a trip on the vintage red bus (sponsored by the LRA) all the way to the top of the town, B&Q, and back again.  It did this circle six times and was virtually full each time!            

The next Open LRA meeting will either be on 14 July or 4 August.  More details later.

With all best wishes for a warm and restful summer holiday.

Caroline (Brown)

Chairman