Planning Consultants in Mole Valley
Mole Valley, covering Dorking, Leatherhead, Ashtead, Bookham and the villages towards Gatwick, is one of Surrey's most rural districts. Most of it is Green Belt, much of it lies within the Surrey Hills National Landscape, and its Local Plan, adopted in October 2024, released some Green Belt land for housing.
Common in Mole Valley
Local planning authority: Mole Valley District Council until 31 March 2027; East Surrey Council from 1 April 2027
Planning Consultants in Dorking and Leatherhead
We advise homeowners, farmers, landowners, developers and businesses across Mole Valley, including Dorking, Leatherhead, Ashtead, Great and Little Bookham, Fetcham, Capel, Charlwood, Beare Green and the Surrey Hills villages.
Mole Valley District Council adopted the Mole Valley Local Plan 2020 to 2039 in October 2024. It allocates sites for housing, including some released from the Green Belt, and sets policies for the Surrey Hills and the district's towns. With an up-to-date plan, proposals need to fit its strategy closely. From April 2027, the new East Surrey Council will take over.
Outside the towns, proposals must address Green Belt and, in much of the district, the Surrey Hills National Landscape. The Mole Gap to Reigate Escarpment Special Area of Conservation lies between Dorking and Leatherhead. In the south, Charlwood sits next to Gatwick, whose Northern Runway development consent order survived a High Court challenge in June 2026, with the Court of Appeal refusing permission to appeal in August 2026. We handle rural, equestrian and residential proposals across the district.
Planning Services in Mole Valley
Urban Vista Planning provides the full range of planning consultancy services to clients across Mole Valley — from homeowners and landowners to developers and businesses. Our Chartered Town Planners are MRTPI-accredited and experienced in dealing with the planning authorities operating in Mole Valley.
- Planning permission applications
- Pre-application advice
- Planning appeals
- Permitted development assessments
- Lawful Development Certificates
- Change of use applications
- Heritage and listed building consent
- Ecology & Biodiversity Net Gain
- Highways and transport assessments
- Infrastructure consenting
- Equestrian and rural planning
- Discharge of planning conditions
Why Urban Vista Planning?
MRTPI & MCIHT Accredited
Our Chartered Town Planners and specialist associates are accredited and regulated by their professional bodies, including the RTPI and CIHT.
UK-Wide Coverage
We advise clients across England and Wales, including Mole Valley, from our offices in Taplow (Buckinghamshire), Leeds, and Hereford.
Free Initial Consultation
We provide an honest initial view of your project — what is achievable, the best consenting route, and likely timescales — at no charge.
Full-Service Consultancy
We manage the entire planning process: application preparation, specialist coordination, authority engagement, and conditions discharge.
Key Planning Constraints in Mole Valley
These designations and policy issues shape what can be built in Mole Valley. Identifying them early is the single most effective way to avoid delay, invalid applications and refusal.
Surrey Hills National Landscape
Much of the district is nationally protected landscape.
Metropolitan Green Belt
Most of the district outside the towns is Green Belt.
Mole Gap to Reigate Escarpment SAC
Development near Box Hill and the escarpment may need Habitats Regulations Assessment.
Gatwick
The south of the district is affected by Gatwick's noise contours and its approved Northern Runway.
Infrastructure & Energy Planning in Mole Valley
Mole Valley includes land close to Gatwick and is crossed by the M25 and A24, with solar and battery storage interest on farmland outside the protected landscape. We advise on energy, airport-related and rural infrastructure consenting.
Planning in Mole Valley: FAQs
Which council deals with planning applications in Mole Valley?
Planning applications in Mole Valley are determined by the local planning authority for the site — Mole Valley District Council until 31 March 2027; East Surrey Council from 1 April 2027.
What are the main planning constraints in Mole Valley?
Key constraints in Mole Valley include Surrey Hills National Landscape; Metropolitan Green Belt; Mole Gap to Reigate Escarpment SAC; Gatwick. We identify which apply to your site at the outset so they can be addressed in the application rather than discovered during determination.
Do you advise on infrastructure and energy projects in Mole Valley?
Mole Valley includes land close to Gatwick and is crossed by the M25 and A24, with solar and battery storage interest on farmland outside the protected landscape. We advise on energy, airport-related and rural infrastructure consenting.
More Planning Consultancy in Surrey
Other Areas We Cover in the South East
Need a Planning Consultant in Mole Valley?
Book a free initial consultation — we will give you a clear view of your options and the best route forward.