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 913 applications which is slightly below the national average of 980. The approval rate was 72% (slightly below the national average of 88%) and 55% of applications were decided on time, (slightly below the national average of 59%). Stats updated July 2026 from gov.uk 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.
As well as acting as Planning Consultants we are ARB registered architects with over 25 years’ experience. We support clients through all stages of the planning process, offering the following services:
Creative architectural design is often what secures Planning Permission where standard approaches fall short. Tell us about 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 913 applications which is slightly below the national average of 980. The approval rate was 72% (slightly below the national average of 88%) and 55% of applications were decided on time, (slightly below the national average of 59%). Stats updated July 2026 from gov.uk 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.
As well as acting as Planning Consultants we are ARB registered architects with over 25 years’ experience. We support clients through all stages of the planning process, offering the following services:
Creative architectural design is often what secures Planning Permission where standard approaches fall short. Tell us about your project.
