Planning Consultations

Current Consultations

Draft Design Code Supplementary Planning Documents

We are currently consulting on four draft Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs):

• Draft Ashtead Design Code SPD
• Draft Bookham and Fetcham Design Code SPD
• Draft Dorking (Town Centre and Outer Areas) Design Code SPD
• Draft Leatherhead Design Code SPD

Consultation Period

The consultation runs for eight weeks from Monday 12 May 2025 to Tuesday 8 July 2025 at 5pm.

The draft local design codes provide detailed guidance to applicants for planning permission for varying types of development and provide advice on the design of buildings as well as other design considerations, such as hard and soft landscaping and amenity spaces. By producing this guidance, the Council intends to ensure that future development proposals respect the local character and that local character is taken into consideration at the earliest stages of the development process, when planning applications are being prepared.

The four SPDs cover the main built-up areas of Mole Valley District: Ashtead, Bookham and Fetcham, Dorking and Leatherhead.

Where to view paper copies of the Design Codes

Should you wish to view a paper copy of the documents you can do so at the following locations:

In addition, the Planning Policy team will also be holding public drop-in sessions in the specific areas relevant to the Design Codes, to get your views, and to answer questions. These sessions will be held at the following locations, you do not need to book a place:

For drop-in sessions in Dorking at Pippbrook Offices, follow signs for ‘Evening Meeting’ entrance. Do not go to Reception.

Representations:

Email (preferred): planning.policy@molevalley.gov.uk

Post: Planning Policy, Mole Valley District Council, Pippbrook, Dorking, Surrey RH4 1SJ

Please provide your name and email address (email is preferred to postal addresses).

Please state clearly which section/paragraph(s) of which document you are commenting on.

Recent Consultations

Draft Supplementary Planning Documents

We consulted on three draft Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) for seven weeks between Monday 13 January to Friday 28 February 2025. They were:

• Draft Affordable Housing SPD, which provides details on the Council’s requirements for affordable housing delivery, vacant building credit, build to rent schemes, rural exception sites, specialist housing and viability assessments.
• Draft Planning Obligations SPD, which provides information on Section 106 agreements generally and planning obligations for carbon offsetting, biodiversity, open space, play space, public realm and heritage assets, community safety, sports facilities, ait quality, healthcare and natural flood management. It also provides locally specific information for planning obligations set by Surrey County Council.
• Draft Design Guidance for House Extensions SPD, which deals with issues such as whether planning permission is required, neighbourliness and character guidance for all the major types of house extensions.

The consultation has now ended. We have reviewed the responses received and have made amendments to the three SPDs based on the responses received. The three SPDs will be considered for adoption by Cabinet on 22 July 2025.

Consultation arrangements

Any responses received to the consultations will be held electronically for the purposes of meeting the Council’s duties arising from reporting consultations. Consultation responses will be made public but your personal data, other than your name or the name of the person you are acting for, will not be made public. Consultation responses will be kept for two years post adoption of the documents. Please see our Privacy and Cookies Policy and Privacy Notice for Planning Policy Statutory Documents for more information.