Mole Valley in Surrey includes Dorking, Leatherhead, and Ashtead. About 75.5% of the district is Green Belt, shaping urban expansion and protecting surrounding countryside. Known for historic towns, scenic villages, and Surrey Hills landscapes, planning balances conservation with residential and commercial growth.
In the last year Mole Valley decided 1,025 applications which is broadly in line with the national average of 988. The approval rate was 73% (slightly below the national average of 88%) and 59% of applications were decided on time, (on par with the national average of 59%). Stats updated March 2026 from gov. sources. See how Mole Valley performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
Significantly, 75.5% of Mole Valley is within the Green Belt and proposals in these areas can be subject to very high levels of scrutiny.
The Green Belt around Dorking and Leatherhead limits expansion to safeguard Surrey Hills landscape and village character.
In our experience, one of the top reasons poorly conceived Green Belt proposals are refused is causing 'harm to openness'. We can lower the risk of refusal with site-specific guidance. Contact us here.
You can also check whether your land is within the Green Belt using our interactive Green Belt map.
Mole Valley features the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including Box Hill and surrounding chalk downland, where scenic and ecological value restricts development.
One of the top reasons poorly prepared proposals in the Open Countryside are refused is that they fail to demonstrate a policy-supported need. To minimise that risk with bespoke advice contact us here.
In addition to acting as Planing Conultants we are ARB registered architects with 25+ years of experience. We provide a full range of planning services, including:
Thoughtful, well-considered design is often the key to securing Planning Permission, particularly on sites where others struggle to find a way forward. Let’s discuss your project.
Mole Valley in Surrey includes Dorking, Leatherhead, and Ashtead. About 75.5% of the district is Green Belt, shaping urban expansion and protecting surrounding countryside. Known for historic towns, scenic villages, and Surrey Hills landscapes, planning balances conservation with residential and commercial growth.
In the last year Mole Valley decided 1,025 applications which is broadly in line with the national average of 988. The approval rate was 73% (slightly below the national average of 88%) and 59% of applications were decided on time, (on par with the national average of 59%). Stats updated March 2026 from gov. sources. See how Mole Valley performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
Significantly, 75.5% of Mole Valley is within the Green Belt and proposals in these areas can be subject to very high levels of scrutiny.
The Green Belt around Dorking and Leatherhead limits expansion to safeguard Surrey Hills landscape and village character.
In our experience, one of the top reasons poorly conceived Green Belt proposals are refused is causing 'harm to openness'. We can lower the risk of refusal with site-specific guidance. Contact us here.
You can also check whether your land is within the Green Belt using our interactive Green Belt map.
Mole Valley features the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including Box Hill and surrounding chalk downland, where scenic and ecological value restricts development.
One of the top reasons poorly prepared proposals in the Open Countryside are refused is that they fail to demonstrate a policy-supported need. To minimise that risk with bespoke advice contact us here.
In addition to acting as Planing Conultants we are ARB registered architects with 25+ years of experience. We provide a full range of planning services, including:
Thoughtful, well-considered design is often the key to securing Planning Permission, particularly on sites where others struggle to find a way forward. Let’s discuss your project.
