Bookhams Residents' Association

Working for Bookham since 1926


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.

More about the BRA...

Latest BRA and community news

Preston Farm planning application

Site officially known as: Land north of Lower Road and west of Little Bookham Street.

9th May 2024

The representation stage of this planning application has now closed. MVDC have advised that the Applicant (Thakenham Homes) has submitted additional information.

The BRA Planning Team has examined this additional information in close detail and has found nothing that has led us to amend the views and statements set out in our initial Letter of Representation dated 20th March 2024, where we strongly objected to the proposed development. 

The BRA Planning team have yet again produced a robust, detailed and validated response which you can view here: 

Preston Farm is neither required to meet housing targets under ED71A nor is wanted by the residents of Bookham.

Over 200 residents have submitted Letters of Representation to MVDC with top themes being:

  • Traffic

  • Removal of Preston Farm from the Green Belt

  • Flooding and surface water

  • Over-development of housing along the Lower Road

  • Lack of adequate infrastructure such as doctors, dentists, social services.

BRA Concerns over HMG Inspector's Local Plan Report

3rd October 2024

The Government Inspector has completed her report on the Future Mole Valley Local plan and on October 15th MVDC will meet to decide on whether it will adopt the Plan incorporating the 92 major modifications recommended by the Inspector. There are items that we raised with the Inspector that do not appear to have been fully taken into account, in part due some of them having been challenged by MVDC to our disappointment. We are requesting that Local Bookham Counsellors who will be attending the Council Meeting take account of the matters that we remain concerned about when speaking to the motion to adopt the Plan and in how they vote.  

The key points within the Inspector’s recommendations include:

  • A change to the plan period (from 2037 to 2039)

  • A requirement to review the plan after three years 

  • Changes to the climate change policies to reflect changes in national and county policy,

  • Changes to the heritage policy,

  • A revised site boundary for the Land North West of Preston Farm allocation 

Whilst we anticipate that the Council will likely adopt the Plan as recommended, the government are preparing a revised National Planning Policy Framework that may have impacts on what is in the Local plan and will be a factor that will influence the Plan update in three years’ time.

Publication of HMG Inspector's report in to the Mole Valley Local Plan 2020 - 2039

20th September 2024

The Planning Inspector examining the Mole Valley Local Plan 2020-2039 has published her report (in accordance with the Section 20(8) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (2004, as amended) and Regulation 25 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012).

The Mole Valley Local Plan sets out the vision and objectives for the district between 2022 and 2039. It covers the geographical area of Mole Valley district, provides the strategy for development for the next 15 years, contains policies to guide the determination of planning applications and allocates sites for development.

The Inspector’s Report concludes that, subject to the Main Modifications, the Mole Valley Local Plan is sound and legally compliant and forms an appropriate basis for planning within the district.

New Bookham Youth & Community Centre: Will it be finally built? Some good news!

Update: September 2024

The BYCA and BRA have been working together and with MVDC and SCC to get the new, and long overdue, Youth Centre built in Bookham.  We promised to provide updates to keep Residents in touch with developments, and we now have three pieces of encouraging news.

First - SCC, which is funding the building of the Centre, has completed the design stage of the project with input from the BYCA, the Bookham Youth Project (BYP) and the BRA. 

Second - Back in May 2021 MVDC granted Outline Planning approval to SCC to build the new Centre on a corner of the Lower Rd recreation ground.  Sadly, various delays meant that approval expired.  However SCC’s Officers tell us that they will be seeking planning permission for the new Youth Centre this Autumn.  

Third - The new single floor Centre will still be situated on the Lower Rd Recreation Ground. MVDC, which owns the land, has worked with SCC to agree terms of a lease.  The BYCA will manage the new Centre, on a sub-lease from SCC at a peppercorn rent.  We are hoping that the new centre will be completed by the end of 2025 or early 2026.

And there is yet more good news… new Community Youth worker appointed

“LYP are delighted to welcome Lucy Hicks our new Community Youth Worker for Bookham. She will be providing youth services for all young people in Bookham. 

Days since planning permission was originally granted on 21st May 2021

Days since planning permission was granted:

BRA Concerns over HMG Inspector's Local Plan Report

The Government Inspector has completed her report on the Future Mole Valley Local plan and on October 15th MVDC will meet to decide on whether it will adopt the Plan incorporating the 92 majorRead more

MVDC Bookham High Street Master Plan. Update 3rd Oct

The Consultation programme on the Master Plan is continuing with further meetings scheduled for December 2024 and January 2025. Generally, we consider the emerging plan has a positive approach whichRead more

 Proposed Change of Status of Polesden Lacey Infant School to Academy Status. Community Meeting 24th Sept from 5.00pm to 7.00pm in the school hall,

Message from Mark Rogers, Chair of Governors and Rebecca Mole, Headteacher Polesden Lacey Infant School The governing body of Polesden Lacey Infant School is considering a proposal to convert ourRead more

June 2024 Newsletter

The BRA June 2024 Newsletter has been published and the print version will be distributed to all households in Bookham by our team of Road Stewards. In this edition our lead articles are the PrestonRead more

Oak Processionary Moth (OPM)

Bookham is classified as being in the Established Area for OPM. As such the Forestry Commission does not offer a free tree spraying service. However if residents want to have their Oak trees sprayedRead more

BRA Tree wardens plant five "birthday" heritage apple trees at Lower Shott

Tree Warden Frances Fancourt reports: The Bookham Tree Wardens have planted five heritage apple trees at Lower Shott. The trees were donated by Gillian Bailey which Gillian has funded in honour ofRead more

Hedgerow planting at the Tithe Barn: Tree Warden news

BRA Tree Warden, Frances Fancourt reports On Sunday 4th February the 1st Fetcham Scouts and the 1st Fetcham Cubs joined the Bookham Tree Wardens to plant a hedgerow at the Tithe Barn in LittleRead more

Free street trees on your verge!

BRA Environment and Tree Warden - Frances Fancourt reports: It is now possible to apply for a street tree to be planted on your verge for FREE. As Surrey County Council (SCC) want to plant 1.2Read more

Village sign storm damage repaired

Following storm damage to the the village sign in January the BRA team, lead by Geoff Tranter, have leapt in to action with local contractors and the broken post supporting the village sign has beenRead more

Is Bookham a safe place to live? Inspector James Green of Surrey Police provides confirmation that it is.

Following on from some disturbing serious offences in the village recently, the BRA was approached by Surrey Police asking for assistance in communicating with the local community to allay concernsRead more

Fetcham & Bookham Repair Cafe

St Mary’s Church Fetcham, and Bookham and Horsley Rotary Club are working together to create and support a monthly FaB (Fetcham and Bookham) Repair Cafe. This will take place in St Mary's church haRead more

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle around Bookham service updated

The search tool developed by the BRA on behalf of Plastic Free Bookham  allowing you to find what and where you can can recycle has been updated with the latest recycling guidelines including DIYRead more

Latest Local Authority & Transport news

Publication of HMG Inspector's report in to the Mole Valley Local Plan 2020 - 2039

The Planning Inspector examining the Mole Valley Local Plan 2020-2039 has published her report (in accordance with the Section 20(8) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (2004, as amended) andRead more

Latest news for Bookham Businesses

Keep up to date with the business community via the MVDC Spotlight fortnightly newsletter. Read more

Planning applications in Bookham: (rolling eight weeks)

Each week MVDC publish planning applications that have been registered across the district. Click on the button below to  see an extract of the applications made in Bookham. You may comment onRead more

Surrey Highways Update

Surrey wide updatesRead more

Surrey Highways - road works in Mole Valley and Guildford (updated weekly)

Click on the images below for direct link to roadworks in the Mole Valley area and Guildford areas. On the SCC page scroll down for completed and utility works.Read more

New dates announced to help shape Leatherhead’s future (Bookham - 11th September)

FAQs Webinar event recordingRead more

New Community Volunteering Opportunities for Mole Valley in 2024!

It’s great news for those looking to help keep Mole Valley beautiful thanks to a range of new volunteering opportunities on offer in 2024. Whether getting involved in pond maintenance, puttingRead more

SEND School Application Update

Read more

SCC Grass Cutting Schedule

Surrey County Council (SCC) has recently introduced an interactive map which shows the grass verge cutting schedule across the county. If you have a verge outside your residence you may zoom in onRead more

Free street trees on your verge!

BRA Environment and Tree Warden - Frances Fancourt reports: It is now possible to apply for a street tree to be planted on your verge for FREE. As Surrey County Council (SCC) want to plant 1.2Read more

MVDC Councillors vote to un-pause Local Plan Examination

On 25 January 2024 Mole Valley Council voted to un-pause its Local Plan and inform the HM Government Inspector to continue with the draft Local Plan examination which will include all Green Belt siteRead more

Is this our last chance to save our Green Belt? MVDC Local Plan - Extraordinary Council Meeting 25th January, 7.00pm.

You may recall that in December 2022 MVDC requested examination of the Local Plan by the Inspector to be paused due to changes in the Government's National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). AfterRead more

Community Events Calendar

To find an event, click on a button and select a filter. 

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.

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.

 

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