Archived Planning Policy Documents

Core Strategy

The Core Strategy (adopted 1 October 2009) guided new development in Mole Valley up until 2026. It was the starting point in the determination of planning applications in the Mole Valley alongside saved policies from the Local Plan 2000. The Strategy was archived following the adoption of the Mole Valley Local Plan 2020-2039.

Dorking Town Area Action Plan

The Dorking Town Area Action Plan (adopted 5 December 2012) indicated where new retail and residential development would take place within the central area of Dorking. The Plan was archived following the adoption of the Mole Valley Local Plan 2020-2039.

Saved Policies of the Local Plan 2000

The Core Strategy did not supersede the Local Plan 2000 (adopted 12 October 2000) in its entirety and a number of policies within it were saved. These Saved Policies of the Local Plan 2000 principally related to more day-to-day planning applications such as home extensions. These policies were archived following the adoption of the Mole Valley Local Plan 2020-2039.

Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document and Addendum

First adopted in 2010, and then updated in 2014 and 2018, the Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document set out our approach in detail to the implementation of Core Strategy Policy CS4: The Provision of Affordable Housing.

The Addendum, first published in 2014 and then updated 2019, provides more information on calculating affordable housing and vacant building credit in light of changes to national planning policy at that time.

This Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document and Addendum were archived following the adoption of a new Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document in 2025.

Built-up Area Character Appraisals

Built-up Area Character Appraisals were adopted in February 2010 for the following areas:

  • Ashtead
  • Bookham & Fetcham
  • Dorking, North Holmwood & Pixham
  • Leatherhead

The purpose of the appraisals was to set out the key characteristics of each area, identifying the features that should be respected and preserved, the landscape setting of each settlement, the opportunities for enhancement and any vulnerabilities to change. The appraisals were archived following the adoption of Design Codes for these areas in 2025.

Design Guidance for House Extensions

The Design Guidance for House Extensions was adopted in 2000 to assist in achieving well designed house extensions. This supplementary planning guidance note was archived following the adoption of a new Design Guidance for House Extensions Supplementary Planning Document in 2025.

Designing Out Crime

The Designing Out Crime SPD (2011) promoted a practical and co-ordinated approach to development management, highlighting best practice in the field of community safety and designing out crime. This SPD was archived 1 July 2026 in accordance with the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (Commencement No. 11 and Saving and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026 Schedule 1, Paragraph 6, Sub-paragraph 5(b).

Landscape

The Landscape SPD (2013) identified important characteristics of the landscape throughout Mole Valley, focusing on rural areas and landscape setting of towns and villages. The SPD provided general guidance on landscape issues and how they should be addressed by developers and those responding to planning applications. It assisted with the implementation Core Strategy Policy CS13: Landscape Character. This SPD was archived 1 July 2026 in accordance with the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (Commencement No. 11 and Saving and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026 Schedule 1, Paragraph 6, Sub-paragraph 5(b).

Larger Rural Village Character Appraisal

The Larger Rural Village Character Appraisal SPD (2013) covered six villages:

  • Beare Green
  • Brockham
  • Capel
  • Charlwood
  • Hookwood
  • Westcott

It analysed the character and landscape setting of each village, as well as providing general guidance on character issues. It assisted with the implementation Core Strategy Policy CS14: Townscape, Urban Design and the Historic Environment. This SPD was archived 1 July 2026 in accordance with the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (Commencement No. 11 and Saving and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026 Schedule 1, Paragraph 6, Sub-paragraph 5(b).

Policy Statement for 1-41 Lower Road, 33-35 Lower Road and 2 The Mount, Fetcham

We adopted a Policy Statement for 1-41 Lower Road, 33-35 Lower Road and 2 The Mount, Fetcham in 2002 and was taken into account as a material consideration in determining planning applications. The Policy Statement was archived following the adoption of the Mole Valley Local Plan 2020-2039.

Interim Policy Statement on Employment Land

We published an Interim Policy Statement on Employment Land in December 2017 and was taken into account as a material consideration in determining planning applications. The Interim Policy Statement was archived following the adoption of the Mole Valley Local Plan 2020-2039.
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