Opportunity

Enabling a prosperous local economy with thriving towns and villages.
We will
- Facilitate sustainable development that takes into account social, economic and environmental factors, including protection of the Green Belt
- Support new and existing businesses to thrive and achieve their growth aspirations
- Lead the transformation of Leatherhead town centre and drive the implementation of Opportunity Dorking, while supporting initiatives that bolster other high streets, local businesses and rural areas
- Promote opportunities for local people to develop their skills in order to access suitable employment
Objectives and Performance
| 2025/26 Annual Plan Objective | Cabinet Portfolio |
| Implement the Local Plan, begin work on updating the evidence base and work on additional supporting planning documents | Planning and Infrastructure |
| Work with key stakeholders across Surrey on the preparatory work for a Spatial Development Strategy to deliver growth, housing, economic and transport needs. | Planning and Infrastructure |
| Implement the Annual 2025/26 Business Plan for the Joint Venture Limited Liability Partnership which outlines the key milestones. | Commercial Assets and Projects |
| Progress the implementation of the Riverside scheme. | Commercial Assets and Projects |
| Complete essential repairs to Pippbrook House and pilot the use of Pippbrook House as a hub for culture and wellbeing. | Leisure and Community Assets |
| Explore options to bring underutilised areas on the Pippbrook campus back into temporary use to provide further community and sport facilities for residents and income for the Council. | Leisure and Community Assets |
| Seek planning consent to redevelop the Foundry/Church Street site to provide homes and small scale commercial space, and create a new identity as the Museum Quarter. | Sustainable Economy |
| To help places and communities perform to their best, we will put in place masterplans for Bookham and Dorking in partnership with local communities, and seek to deliver the masterplans’ projects by attracting grant funding. | Planning and Infrastructure |
| 2025/26 Cabinet Performance Indicator | Target 2025/26 |
| Percentage of major planning application decisions overturned at appeal | Less than 10% |
| Housing Land Supply | 5 years |
