Jack Straw Head of Planning Policy Mole Valley District Council ...

Jack Straw
Head of Planning Policy
Mole Valley District Council
Pippbrook
Dorking
RH4 1SJ
28 th May 2012
Dear Jack
Application for Designation of Neighbourhood Forum
Bookham Vanguard Forum wishes to submit for consideration an application for designation of a
Neighbourhood Forum.
The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 state that where a relevant body
submits an application for designation of a neighbourhood Forum to the local planning
authority it must include:
• the name of the proposed neighbourhood forum;
• the name of the relevant neighbourhood area to which the application relates and a map
which identifies the area.
• a copy of the written constitution of the proposed neighbourhood forum;
• the contact details of at least one member of the proposed neighbourhood forum to
be made public:
• a written statement which explains how the proposed neighbourhood forum meets
the conditions contained in section 61G(5) of the 1990 Act.
1. The proposed neighbourhood forum is called Bookham Vanguard.
2. This neighbourhood forum application relates to the Neighbourhood Area of Bookham which
is defined by the 2 Electoral Wards of Bookham North and Bookham South. A map to which
this application relates is identified in Appendix 1. A contemporaneous application is made
for Designation of the Neighbourhood Area.
Rickleden, Maddox Lane, Bookham, Surrey, KT23 3BS
Mob: 07836 646456 email: trevorsokell@ukf.net

3. A copy of the written constitution is attached. This was adopted by the members of the
Forum at a meeting on 12 th May 2012.
4. All contact regarding this application should be addressed to:
Trevor Sokell
Rickleden,
Maddox Lane,
Bookham,
KT23 3BS
Tel: 07836 646456
email: trevorsokell@ukf.net
5. Meeting the conditions of Section 61F(5) of the TCPA/1990 Act
a. A range of local stakeholder groups in Bookham, including members of the public have
met and are committed to supporting the initiative. Bookham has a proven track record of
working together as a community. The initiative provides an opportunity to build on the
existing vision for Bookham which was recently prepared by the community in 2010 as a
result of the very successful Bookham Vision community planning project.
b. The organisation is established to facilitate the creation of a Neighbourhood
Development Plan (“NDP”) as defined by the Localism Act 2011 (“the Act”), as
amended from time to time. ( see Clause 2 of the Constitution)
c. Particular issues which the Plan will need to address include:
• Making provision for new development for Bookham, including planning for
smaller homes, affordable homes and managed housing for the elderly, a
need confirmed by the Bookham Vision village survey, through the identification
of suitable sites, following community consultation.
• The aspirations of the Mole Valley Housing Association to improve their dwelling
stock, including through redevelopment opportunities.
Rickleden, Maddox Lane, Bookham, Surrey, KT23 3BS
Mob: 07836 646456 email: trevorsokell@ukf.net

• Making provision for appropriate employment needs.
• Responding to the proposals for development which have been put forward by
land owners/developers during the preparation of the Council's Strategic
Housing Land Availability Assessment and subsequent initial stages of the Land
Allocations DPD which included a discussion document in February 2010.
• Maintaining the vitality and viability of the village Retail centre.
• Identifying opportunities for the regeneration of an area around the Lower
Shott car park to complement the main retail heart of the village. This area
comprises land which in the main is owned by the District Council which has
indicated a wish to explore its redevelopment potential. However, it has said
that no action will be taken until the local community has concluded its NDP appraisal
and has had the opportunity to bring forward suggestions of its own for the
use of the site.
• Identifying the need for infrastructure and ensuring mechanisms are in place for
its delivery to support additional development. This will include appropriate
educational and health facilities and recreation areas. Data from the County
Council already suggests that the rising birth rate will require an increase in
primary school provision in the village, with obvious repercussions for secondary
places in coming years and an ageing population brings its own challenge
• It is envisaged that the NDP would contain land allocation and development
management policies
d. Membership of the Forum was publicly advertised using various mechanisms
available in the community over a period commencing June 2011 until January 2012.
Volunteers were invited to come forward including residents of the Area, individuals
who work in the Area and individuals who are elected members of the district
council whose area falls within the Area. Monthly articles were published in Look
Local. Articles were published in the quarterly publication, the Bookham’s Bulletin,
Rickleden, Maddox Lane, Bookham, Surrey, KT23 3BS
Mob: 07836 646456 email: trevorsokell@ukf.net

produced by the Bookham Community Association, which is delivered to every
household in the Area. Articles were published in the Bookham Resident’s
Association Newsletter, published 3 times a year and delivered to 3,000 households.
Articles were published in local newspapers – the Leatherhead Advertiser and the
Surrey Advertiser. Two stalls were manned at the Village Day fair, advertising the
Forum. On 8 th December 2011, leaflets were handed out in the High Street on the
evening of the Late Night Shopping event. On January 14 th 2012 a public meeting was
held in the Old Barn Hall, and 200 people attended. There is a Bookham Vanguard
website at www.bookhamvanguard.co.uk.
e. As a result of all this publicity the Forum is composed of 59 people from all parts of
the Area. The detailed make up is set out in the accompanying document entitled
Forum Make-up. It consists of 54 residents, 3 individuals who work in the Area, but
do not live there, and 2 elected Councilors, one representing Bookham South Ward,
and the other representing Bookham North Ward and also a County Councillor.
In summary, we believe that Bookham Vanguard satisfies the requirements of the regulations.
We trust the information provided in this application is sufficient to progress the
application for designation of a neighbourhood form. Please let us know if further information is
required.
It is understood that the regulations require the local planning authority to publicise this
application for not less than 6 weeks before reaching a decision. If any assistance is required in
facilitating this requirement, the Forum would be happy to assist where practical.
We would appreciate your confirmation of receipt of this application and, if satisfactory,
the date of commencement of the 6 week consultation period to publicise the application.
Yours sincerely
Trevor Sokell
Leader, Start-Up Group
Rickleden, Maddox Lane, Bookham, Surrey, KT23 3BS
Mob: 07836 646456 email: trevorsokell@ukf.net

Proposed Neighbourhood Area
Legend
Bookham Boundary
Mole Valley District Boundary
Bookham
Guildford Borough
Mole Valley District Council
Pippbrook
Dorking
Surrey
RH4 1SJ
Telephone: 01306 885001
Website: www.molevalley.gov.uk
Scale: not to scale Date: Feb 2011 User: sissonsh Dept: planning policy
Based upon the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the controller of Her
Majesty's Stationary Office. (c) Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes
Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings.
OS Licence Number LA 100021846 2011