Surrey County Council, acting on behalf of Mole Valley District Council, is undertaking a fresh statutory consultation on a proposal to divert Public Footpath No. 42 in the vicinity of Ashtead FC's club house at the Queen Elizabeth II recreation ground adjoining Barnett Wood Lane, Ashtead.

The proposal, submitted by the Trustees of Ashtead Football Club, would move the existing footpath away from its present route, Route A-B illustrated in the accompanying plan, across the sports pitches, to a proposed Route A_C_D_E. This increases the length of the public footpath from 261 metres to 296 metres, and additional 35 metres.

The applicants have agreed to provide a path with a minimum width of two metres.

The diversion is associated with planning permission MO/2020/2167/PLA for a new sports pitch, fencing and floodlighting.

A previous Public Path Diversion Order was made in May 2024 but subsequently withdrawn after Mole Valley District Council concluded that the planning permission on which the proposal depended had expired. A Planning Inspector has since determined that the planning permission was lawfully commenced and remains valid.

The original Order cannot simply be reinstated, so a new statutory process and consultation are required.

Importantly, comments submitted during the 2024 consultation will not automatically be carried forward. Anyone wishing their earlier representations to be considered again must confirm this in writing. New or additional representations are also welcome.

Residents and other interested parties are invited to submit their views, whether supporting or objecting to the proposed diversion ideally explaining the reasons for the views expressed.

The accompanying plan identifies the existing and proposed routes. Further information, or a copy of the consultation notice, can be obtained by emailing andrew.whiddett@surreycc.gov.uk

Comments may be sent to either of the following:

Surrey County Council                                                    or             Mole Valley District Council

Andrew Whiddett                                                                               Piers Mason
Countryside Access Team                                                               Deputy Chief Executive & Head of                                                                 

Whitebeam Lodge, Merrow Depot                                                 Service for Planning and Environment
Merrow Lane, Guildford GU4 7BQ                                                Pippbrook, Dorking, RH14 1SJ

Email: andrew.whiddett@surreycc.gov.uk

Please note that consultation responses may be disclosed to the public and summarised in committee reports. Anyone wishing their name and address to remain confidential should expressly request this in their response.

The accompanying plan identifies the existing and proposed routes. Further information, or a copy of the consultation notice, can be obtained by emailing andrew.whiddett@surreycc.gov.uk

Please ensure that any representations you wish to make are submitted by 7 December 2026.