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...

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: 

Councillors approve MVDC Local Plan

18th October

On 15 October 2024 Mole Valley District Council voted to adopt its new Local Plan by 28 votes in favour, 5 against, and 1 abstention.  Although a number of Bookham's local Councillors asked questions and commented positively on issues residents are concerned about, Those present voted in favour of the Plan.  
There is an argument that having a current Local Plan is better for a district council as a whole, than not having one, and there is truth in that.  However, back in June the BRA told the Council and the Government appointed Planning Inspector that we wanted a "Fair Deal for Bookham".  That included the Bookhams taking their fair share of new building (through redevelopment and infilling) but saying a clear NO to inappropriate development in the wrong places, and especially not in the Green Belt. 

The "deal" that has subsequently been imposed on the Bookhams is not, in our opinion,  "fair ", and the Local Plan remains unsound. 

What happened to Bookham's issues about over-development, and inadequate infrastructure, and the deep concerns about:  traffic generation and highway safety;  not removing land from the Green Belt; and, increasing the risk from flooding and surface water?  

Well the short answer is, sadly, that the Bookham's feedback was largely disregarded by the Council and the Inspector.

The Council has been instructed by the Inspector to review the Plan again in three years time. So we won't have long before consultations start all over again. Next time, against what we have been told, will be even greater Government housing targets. 

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

Update: November 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.

1) Surrey County Council 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. 

2) 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 between autumn and spring 2025. Yet another disappointing delay which we urge SCC to quickly resolve. 

3) 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, as it did with the old 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:

Latest BRA and community news

David Smith receives BRA recognition award

Well known former owner of Wishing Well in the High Street, David Smith, has received a BRA Contribution Award. David was presented with his award by Simon Edge, BRA Chairman. At the AGM in JulyRead more

Bookham remembers its fallen

On a quiet sunny autumn Monday morning at the 11th hour of the 11th day Bookham residents remembered the fallen at St Nicolas ChurchRead more

MVDC Bookham High Street Master Plan. Update 25th Oct. Consultation now live.

Following the launch of the MVDC Master Plan on 24th October the MVDC online Consultation Portal is now open until 5th December.  To access the consultation portal, please click here or on the imageRead more

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

 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

Latest Local Authority & Transport news

Statement on the Financial Position of Mole Valley District Council

Following a publication of a report by BBC News on 14th November on the financial position of Mole Valley District Council we have received the following statement from MVDC's CommunicationsRead 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

MVDC Bookham High Street Master Plan. Update 25th Oct. Consultation now live.

Following the launch of the MVDC Master Plan on 24th October the MVDC online Consultation Portal is now open until 5th December.  To access the consultation portal, please click here or on the imageRead more

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

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

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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