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Letter from the BRA Chairman

Each year the BRA faces new challenges and 2025 and the start of 2026 have been no different. Mole Valley District Council has confirmed that its  Community Governance Review (CGR) showed that Bookham Residents were against creating a Parish Council, and in 2026 our village will be facing the transition to the new East Surrey Unitary Authority in 2027.  All of this has, and will continue to take much time and resource. We are very appreciative of the posit...

A Glorious Verge

This verge was a real highlight in April, with daffodils and flowering cherries looking absolutely superb. The cherry trees are now well established, and late‑flowering daffodils were deliberately chosen to bloom alongside them, creating a beautifully timed spring display. It’s a wonderful example of what thoughtful community planting can achieve. Projects like this don’t just add colour – they genuinely enhance our local environment and bring pleasure to everyone who passes by. Looking ...

Recycling Just Got Easier in Bookham

Great news for Bookham households — from 31 March 2026, your mixed recycling bin will take even more everyday items. Wherever you live in Surrey, you’ll now be able to recycle foil, aerosol cans, squeezy metal and plastic tubes, cartons, and non‑black plastic plant pots.A few quick steps help make sure everything gets recycled properly:Scrunch clean foil into a ball at least the size of a tennis ballRinse foil traysMake sure aerosol cans are emptyEmpty squeezy tubes (toothpaste, tomato pur...

Local Elections 7 May 2026

Electors Encouraged to ‘Get Ready to Vote on 7 May’ in Elections for new Surrey CouncilsOn Thursday 7 May 2026, electors in Surrey will get the opportunity to vote for who they want to represent them on their new East Surrey Council or West Surrey Council, depending on where they live. All Surrey residents are being urged to make sure they are ready to vote in these important elections.Local government in Surrey is changing. From April 2027, the existing county council and 11 district and bo...

No New School at the Howard

Some of you may be aware of the news already that no new school is to be built. Read more here....

Berkeley Homes and the Howard School

Two new planning applications have been submitted by Berkeley Homes for the Effingham Lodge Farm site (including the new Howard of Effingham School). Berkeley Homes is now saying the scheme is not financially viable and is seeking approval:a.   to increase the number of sold and occupied homes in advance of the practical completion and transfer of the new school.  It wants 258 instead of the 100 agreed for both the sites north of Lower Road (see below).b.   not to build ...

Decision on 'No to Parish Council for Bookham' not over yet

A recent letter from MVDC will have been received asking for your feedback on the establishment of a Parish Council for Bookham. We had been led to believe that Bookham would not be included in any further consultation after residents gave a resounding No to the Stage One consultation. This now may not be the case.It is therefore imperative that even if you gave your feedback at Stage One you do so again for Stage Two.Why?Establishing a Parish Council will lead to an inc...

Bookham Parish Council

On 13 January 2026, Mole Valley District Council voted “NO” to proposing a new Parish Council for Bookham.   The Council’s Community Governance Review report stated: “Bookham is currently unparished. The response to the stage one consultation for Bookham showed that the majority of respondents felt that no change was required at the current time.  Given that Bookham residents had previously voted against the creation of a Parish Council (2017) it was felt th...

Proposed Traffic Calming and 20mph Zone in Central Bookham

Surrey County Council is currently consulting on a proposed scheme to introduce traffic‑calming measures on Church Road, Bookham, along with a new 20mph speed limit covering the central area of Bookham. This would include the shopping and community areas along Church Road, Lower Road and the High Street.Full details of the proposals are available on the Surrey County Council engagement website.Residents, community groups and local organisations are invited to share their views—whether in sup...

Bookham Youth & Community Centre: Planning APPROVED

"Approval has been granted for the building of the new Youth & Community Centre. Thank you to all those who registered their support for the planning applicationWe wish to thank the SCC Land & Property Project team for their support and for working so collaboratively with us. As a result of the project, pot holes have been repaired in the area to the site. Also the street lighting near the old Care Home (works start 11 Feb). The woodland to the east of the centre was cleared of dangerous...

Local Government Elections May 2026

Next step for local government reorganisation in Surrey Government has confirmed that elections for the new East Surrey and West Surrey unitary councils will go ahead in May 2026. Depending on where you live, you will have the opportunity to vote for who you want to represent either East Surrey or West Surrey. You’ll vote from your local polling station. We’ll provide full details as they are confirmed. The Councillors elected in May 2026 will work as part of 'shadow authorities' for one yea...

Managing Oak Processionary Moth (OPM)

Oak Processionary Moth (OPM) is a non-native species of moth in the UK, first observed in the south of England in 2005. The caterpillars of this species nest in oak trees, they can cause leaf damage which affects the overall health of the tree and can make it more susceptible to other tree pests and diseases. In addition, the hairs of these caterpillars may pose health risks to both people and animals. More information about OPM can be found on GOV.UK.The government OPM management programme is a...

Local Government Changes

Local government changesThe Residents’ Associations of Ashtead, Bookham, Fetcham and Leatherhead recognise that Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) is conducting a Community Governance Review and we urge residents to take part in the consultation. However, we wish to make it clear that in view of the imminent abolition of MVDC and the creation of a new Unitary Authority covering our district, we do not think it is appropriate at present to impose more change on residents and warn that the pro...

BRA November 2025 Newsletter

The BRA November 2025 Newsletter has been published and the print version has been to distributed to all households in Bookham by our team of volunteer Road Stewards.As we move into the winter months, there’s plenty of positive news to share with residents across our area. The November BRA Newsletter highlights several exciting developments that strengthen our community spirit, improve local services, and celebrate achievements close to home.People ask why we produce a print version of the New...

BYCA: Demolition Commencing

Written notification for the demolition work of the old youth centre commencing is attached. This is a letter that is to be issued to surrounding properties and businesses....

BRA Awards at Sustainable Mole Valley

On 16th October Sustainable Mole Valley (an initiative by Mole Valley District Council) held it’s inaugural Showcase Awards event to celebrate the incredible efforts of local organisations, volunteers, and community champions. The Nature & Biodiversity category of the Mole Valley Sustainability Awards celebrates those who are planting trees, restoring habitats, conserving green spaces, and helping wildlife flourish. The BRA was nominated for its work in: Litter Picking, Tree Wardens, Blue ...

Strengthening Sustainable Transport in Surrey

Jacquetta Fewster (Manager of Surrey Climate Commission) is delighted to invite you to a meeting about strengthening sustainable transport provision and use in Surrey. The meeting will be online on Weds 29th October, 6.30-8.30pm.The meeting will be hosted by the Surrey Climate Commission, a community interest company which supports and amplifies community-led action to accelerate climate action and nature recovery across Surrey. The Commission’s Transport Group has previously discussed wa...

Special Constable Opportunity in Bookham

Mole Valley has a team of special constables, volunteer police officers with exactly the same powers as regular officers, who last year collectively devoted an impressive 3000 hours to keeping Surrey safe. Neighbourhood Inspector for Mole Valley, James Green, said: ‘The Mole Valley Specials team work extremely hard and dedicate an extraordinary amount of their free time to keeping Mole Valley safe. They work with the local policing team as well as joint operations with our roads policing ...

Proposals for Bookham Community Centre

Surrey County Council is inviting residents and local businesses to share their views on proposals for a new community centre on Lower Road, Great Bookham.A drop-in event is being hosted on Tuesday 14 October between 4pm and 7:30pm in the Church Room of St Nicholas Church in Great Bookham....

Village Benches refurbished

BRA Projects Director, Geoff Tranter, has been managing a project to refurbish village benches. Our benches are in regular use and being out in all weathers they do require regular ongoing maintenance to keep them safe and in good order.. Geoff, on behalf to the BRA applied for Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding to Mole Valley District Council to refurbish ten benches. Five have recently been refurbished by local business DB Garden Services. The remaining five will be completed shortly....

Local Government Reorganisation consultation. (Ends 5th August)

As a community focused organisation the BRA has been asked by SCC and MVDC to encourage residents to be involved in the Local Government Reorganisation taking place in Surrey. This we are pleased to do and encourage residents to participate in the consultation. Read more and participate...

BRA June 2025 Newsletter

The BRA June 2025 Newsletter has been published and the print version has been to distributed to all households in Bookham by our team of volunteer Road Stewards. In this edition our focus is on our community and the environment.People ask why we produce a print version of the Newsletter. It's a very simple answer. Not everyone in the village has access to a PC, tablet or smart phone and we want all residents to feel included in village life. Yes, in an ideal world we would move to online only, ...

Howard of Effingham graded as "Good" and 6th Form "Outstanding"

At the last Inspection in 2019, under the previous Ofsted regime, the School was graded "Good" with the 6th Form " Outstanding". The latest Ofsted report confirms that standards since the last inspection have been maintained and acted upon.The full report is available via the link below...

Bookham Youth & Community Centre Petition

Chris Coglan, Lib Dem MP for Dorking & Horley is petitioning Surrey County Council to deliver on their commitment to build the new youth and community centre at Lower Road Rec. You may sign the petition via the link below....

After 13 years, Surrey County Council cancel planning for new Youth & Community Centre on Lower Road Rec

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 ...