Ashtead Residents' Association

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Banking hub - Update 31st July 2025

LINK’s Leatherhead Banking Hub Decision UpheldMole Valley District Council’s challenge of the evidence base LINK used to decide that a banking hub was not required in Leatherhead has been considered by an independent assessor. It concluded that LINK’s findings were carried out fairly and properly and has upheld LINK’s decision not to provide a banking hub in Leatherhead.MVDC’s Cabinet Member for Sustainable Economy, Councillor Paula Keay, said: “The decision reached by the Independen...

Planning Applications for Ashtead.

Mole Valley District Council publishesd details of every planning application on their web site. To search for an application got to the following site:-https://planning.agileapplications.co.uk/mole/search-applications/As an alternative, you can sign-up to receive notification of applications local to you by going to MyAlerts at MVDC....

School's out! Road works in!

Although not formally advised by Surrey Highways many will have noticed Grange Road is closed to traffic. This is for Gas main replacement. According to www.one.network this will take from 23rd July until 31st August.We have also been advised that Grangemount will have road works (we believe for the installation of EV Charging points). In typical Highways fashion the notice says work will start on 14th August for 5 days - but the notice covers a twelve month period. Access for emergency services...

Step Back in Time at The Swan Centre’s Vintage Summer!

Step Back in Time at The Swan Centre’s Vintage Summer! This August, The Swan Centre is inviting families and visitors to soak up the sunshine and celebrate all things retro with “Here for a Vintage Summer” — a series of fun-filled Thursdays bringing nostalgic charm and community spirit to the heart of Leatherhead.Join the Swan Centre on August 7th, 14th, and 21st from 11am to 3pm for a delightful day out featuring:Free strawberries and cream – the ultimate taste of summerClassic c...

Government Launches Consultation on the Future of Local Government in Surrey

In December 2024, the Secretary of State invited councils in two-tier areas like Surrey to submit proposals to simplify local government by replacing the current county, district and borough councils with new unitary councils.On 6 May 2025, Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) agreed to submit a joint proposal - alongside Surrey County Council (SCC) and Elmbridge Borough Council (EBC) - to create two new unitary councils to replace the 12 existing councils across Surrey.At the...

Pot Holes, Graffiti, Pavement issues and other Highways issues

All Highways issues from Pot holes, to Pavements, from Graffiti to Abandoned Road Signs, from Litter to Street Cleaning can be reported to the correct Local Authority (SCC or MVDC) by using the "Report it" link situated on the opening page of the ARA's web site https://www.ashteadresidents.org.uk/report-it/Together we can make Ashtead a better place to live....

Mole Valley approves Outline Application at Ermyn Way Ashtead

At the Development Management Committee meeting on 2 July  and after a 2 hour debate, Councillors  approved the outline  planning application for 270 homes on greenfield land to the south of Ermyn Way. The majority of the Committee did not support the proposal voting 6 in favour, 5 against with 2 abstentions.However, given the abstentions the application was approved and  this  brings the construction of this project closer. Although there is still a detailed d...

ARE YOU A MEMBER OF THE ARA?

We would appreciate you adding personal email addresses that you want to be used for interactive communications with the Ashtead Residents’ Association. Please click on the following link. Then scroll downwards from where it has taken you to.https://www.ashteadresidents.org.uk/membership-and-members/You will find a form to fill in which gives you the opportunity to pay (without any fee) £2.50 for your household using any bank card you have.Your payment will be confirmed to you using the...

Explore the heart of the Surrey Hills this summer with Visit Mole Valley!

A new tourism campaign and website are shining a spotlight on Mole Valley – celebrating its natural beauty, iconic landmarks, and hidden gems. Designed to inspire exploration and discovery, and boost local visitor and rural economies, the new Visit Mole Valley website makes it easier than ever to plan a memorable trip to this picturesque part of Surrey.Located in the heart of the Surrey Hills and less than an hour from London, Mole Valley is home to the lively towns of Dorking and Leatherhead,...

Strategy on Delivering More Affordable Housing in Mole Valley to be Considered

A report which recommends Councillors approve a new Affordable Housing Strategy which would define ways in which homes for existing and prospective residents on lower incomes could be delivered over the next five years will be considered at Scrutiny and Cabinet meetings on the 8 and 22 July 2025 respectively.Mole Valley is considered a beautiful location which is easily commutable to London. These combined factors have driven up the cost of homes in the district and created a barrier not only to...

Registrations Are Now Open for Free 2025 Summer Holiday Activities for 0-16s!

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 and golf, 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. Registrations have now opened.Taking place between 23 July and the...

Proposed on-street electric charging points.

Go to the following web site and you will find details of proposed new on-street electric vehicle charging points in Stag Leys, Bramley Way, Culverhay, Preston Grove and West Farm Close. The site (https://connectedkerb.com/charge-your-car/community-pages/surrey-county-council/) has an interactive map showing positions and by clicking the locations you will see detailed drawings.The site offers opportunity to give feedback and to also propose new sites.(Thanks to Ashtead Unhinged for highlighting...

Have your Say on Design Codes for the District’s Built-up Areas

A local design code is a short and simple document, providing a guide to prospective applicants seeking planning permission. The documents highlight considerations concerning design - such as respecting the local character specific to the surrounding area - before a planning application is submitted, to give it the best chance of being considered appropriate when an application is evaluated.Each of the four drafted Mole Valley design codes for Ashtead, Dorking & surrounding areas, Leatherhea...

Do you have craft or DIY skills? Do you enjoy helping others?

The purpose-built workshop in the Hospice grounds is part of a support network for family carers, those suffering from life-limiting illnesses and the recently bereaved. It allows ‘Shedders’ (men and women) to spend time with others in similar situations, learning new skills and enjoying friendship and support along the way.The Hospice is looking for Shed Session Leader Volunteers.If you enjoy helping and teaching other users, are comfortable supervising the safe use of equipment, and can of...

The Ashtead Resident

The Ashtead Resident is the magazine of the Ashtead Residents' Association and was published originally in black and white and A5 size. The Association decided some years ago to use this magazine as it's "business" publication with Minutes of the AGM and the Annual Accounts, and to publish a new magazine "Ashtead Village News" - firstly in black and white, then latterly in colour. Then in 2024 it was decided to amalgamate the two publications under the umbrella title of The Ashtead Resident...

The ARA announces its New Survey Service

Many residents of Ashtead express their opinions about planning and other local matters on one or more social media platforms but no one pulls them all together in order to influence more effectively those organisations with the power to make changes.The ARA’s new email-based interactive survey service will quickly gather members’ views for and against proposals that affect life in Ashtead.The attached leaflet is going out to all households in Ashtead to explain this new service from the Res...

Emergency Medical services for the north of Ashtead in the event of a Level Crossing mechanical failure

 With immediate effect the Kent Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance service (AAKSS) will provide emergency paramedic coverage to the area north of the railway line in Ashtead. This area with over 500 homes can become isolated when the barriers at the Ashtead station level crossing fail possibly denying any access to the emergency services including ambulances. Last year, during a planned closure of the Level Crossing, an incident occurred when the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAMB) was...

Be advised of future railway works

I am writing to let you know that local residents who live near to the railway are set to benefit from a new digital service that will let people know about upcoming railway engineering work, emergency work and get updates about current maintenance and upgrade projects in ‘real-time’.Line side neighbours living within 500m of a railway line across Network Rail’s Wessex route are encouraged to sign up to this new email service by visiting www.networkrail.co.uk/railworknearme.This free ...

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) - Land off Barnet Wood Lane Urgent Planning News - Update

We are sure many of Ashtead residents are aware of a current planning application that is currently under consideration by Mole Valley District Council planners.This proposal according to the submission documents seeks to change the status of the land from Green Belt to allow a temporary use as 98MW of Battery Storage for a temporary period of 40 years.Whilst the applicant says this is a temporary use for a period of 40 years after which they will return the land to agricultural use, it is the o...

Green Lane Crossing - Update February 2025

At the Local Committee back in 2021 Councillors agreed that the Definitive Statement should be changed to match the Definitive Map so that it showed the Crossing as a Public Right of Way. It has been so for decades going back to even before the railway was built in the 19th Century. Good news I hear you say.Yes it was, but despite that ruling the decision still had to be put out to public consultation where everyone and anyone had the right to object to the decision. We then heard that there was...