Bookhams Residents' Association
Working for Bookham since 1926
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Your Residents' Association
The Bookhams Residents’ Association (BRA) is a voluntary membership organisation that is open to all residents and is independent of all political parties.
The purpose of the BRA is to provide a consultative link between residents with councillors, public authorities and utility services.
The BRA also co-ordinates voluntary services such as litter picking, Tree Wardens, High Street Christmas lights and hanging baskets.
If you would like to join the team and help to keep Bookham a village for all to enjoy please get in touch.
Note: The BRA is not directly involved with the cultural and entertainment life of the village. These are provided by our colleagues at the Bookham Community Association at the Old Barn Hall.
Council & Utility Links
After 13 years, Surrey County Council cancel planning for new Youth & Community Centre on Lower Road Rec.
What next?
Please see below the statement from Surrey County Council (SCC) concerning their decision not to proceed with the building of a new Youth Centre & Community Centre at Lower Road Recreation ground.
“Surrey County Council confirms its commitment to providing a building to support and benefit the community in Bookham.
There have been recent changes in planning legislation linked to biodiversity net gain and the National Planning Policy Framework update (December 2024) in relation to Green Belt Policy.
This means that the proposed plans for the Lower Road recreation ground cannot proceed as originally planned, and we have now reviewed our options.
We are committed to exploring all possible avenues, including replacing the original building at 164 Lower Road, Bookham. Council officers and members will actively engage with the Bookham Residents Association, the BYCA trustees and the Leatherhead Youth Project in the delivery of this community asset.”
Comment by Bookham Youth & Community Association
SCC tells us that the reasons for the refusal for planning consent from 2021 (expired mid 2024) apart from the NPPF changes in December 2024 are that Mole Valley District Council increased its Biodiversity Net Gain requirement from 10% to 20% and MVDC agreed to the Local Plan on what would be released of the Green Belt. This release did not include the footprint of the proposed centre at the recreation ground.
We have made our disappointment clear at the way in which this whole matter has been dealt with by SCC as this could all have been completed a long time ago and before any of these changes happened. 13 years of going round in circles. We have explained to SCC leadership that we need certainty as to SCC’s commitment to build a new centre on the old site at 164 Lower Road site, so as to not run the risk of the “can being kicked down the road” again with SCC’s fine words not being honoured by a new unitary authority.
In order that we can trust SCC’s the stated commitment, we have asked for a clear heads of terms type document setting out what is to be delivered, with deliverables and milestones as well as confirming and committing to the terms on which BYCA will take over the lease when it is completed. This is to be binding on a new unitary authority.
We look forward to positive engagement with SCC in the near future and will provide further updates on progress.
David Cox, Chair BYCA
The BRA continues to support the BYCA in trying to get SCC to honour its commitment to build a new Youth Centre in Bookham. We have heard plenty of excuses, but despite repeated promises over many years SCC continues to let residents down by failing to deliver the new centre.
After 13 years, Surrey County Council cancel planning for new Youth & Community Centre on Lower Road Rec
MVDC Cabinet Approves the Bookham Masterplan. BRA concerns about failings and misrepresentation remain unanswered.
Latest Local Authority, utility and transport news
Do you have an event?
If you have a Bookham community event you wish to publicise, please complete the form below and we'll add it to the online Events Calendar. We cannot guarantee we can publicise all events or any last minute changes but we'll do our best!
If this is an event that you would like to post on our BRA Village Noticeboards, click here for more details
Quick Link Service Requests and Reporting
Not sure who to report a street cleaning request or overhanging branches or a pothole to or seen something suspicious on your video door bell?
Our Councils have multiple responsibilities and it is often a challenge to find out which Council and Council department or organisation is responsible for what. To help residents make a service request or report, just on click on the relevant button below which will take you directly to the relevant council department and reporting forms. Also included in the portal are the National Trust, Surrey Police Suspicious Activity, Surrey Wildlife Trust and emergency flooding.
The portal is for circumstances where a no crime has been reported, but the suspicious behaviour could potentially be related to a burglary, theft of a vehicle, or catalytic converter, for example.
Location grid reference: TQ 130 557
Nearest post code: KT23 3LT
Emergency Flooding - who to contact:
River flooding: Environment Agency (24 hour Floodline): 0345 988 118
Road Flooding: Surrey CC Highways: 0300 200 1003
Sewer Flooding. Thames Water: 0800 316 9800
Assistance to buy essential items (criteria apply): Citizen’s Advice Bureau: 08444 111 444
Power Cuts During Storms
Do you, or someone you know, need extra support during power cuts?
The power company has confirmed that they will provide free welfare services to customers who need extra support. To register for Priority Services support please call 105 or 0800 028 4581.
