Latest WVA Newsletter out now
Click link to read but please note typo as date for WVA AGM is Wednesday 24 June 2026 at 7.30pm (not 4 June)
Residents back creation of a new Westcott Parish Council
Residents of Westcott have voted in favour of creating a new Westcott Parish Council, following the consultative ballot held as part of Mole Valley District Council’s Community Governance Review. Elsewhere in Mole Valley there will also be new Parish Councils in Dorking and Box Hill, with boundary changes being made to existing Parish Councils in Headley and Brockham. At a full MVDC Council meeting on the 9 March it was agreed to implement the final recommendations of the review and the new Westcott Parish Council will be formally established on 1 April 2027.
A total of 510 residents responded to the ballot which was delivered to every registered elector in Westcott.
- 392 (77%) voted in favour
- 118 (23%) voted against
- Turnout: 28.9% (higher than the district average of 22.6%)
The new Parish Council will give residents a stronger voice in local decision-making and help shape the future of the village. The council will consist of nine councillors.
Further information about the next steps, how residents can get involved and the nomination process to stand as a councillor, will become clearer over the coming weeks and months. It is expected that a working group will be set up to establish the new Parish Council and volunteers from across the village will be encouraged to step forward to take part.
Latest WVA Newsletter out now
Follow the link to read the latest WVA newsletter – March 2026
villagenewsmarch2026
A new Parish Council for Westcott?
We were delighted so many of you joined us in person and on-line for the WVA hosted Village Meeting on Thursday 12 February at Holy Trinity to find out more about the proposal for a Parish Council in Westcott. We were pleased to have been joined by Councillor Rosemary Hobbs and Lesley Bignell the Parish Clerk for Wotton who were able to answer a number of questions on the night drawing on their expertise and knowledge of how Parish Councils work. We were also pleased to welcome Councillor Hazel Watson.
You can view a copy of the presentation from the night by following this link Village meeting 12Feb2026 Parish Council and some notes from the meeting by following this link Final Notes of Village Meeting re Parish Council 12 Feb 2026
Remember to Vote yes or no by responding to your ballot paper by 20 February 2026.
Find out more online https://www.molevalley.gov.uk/cgr/
Read the attached newsletter put together by the WVA based on its understanding of how Parish Councils are set up and funded New Parish Council WVA Newsletter
Westcott Neighbourhood Plan News
On the 9 February Mr Andrew Mead BSc (Hons) MRTPI MIQ who has been appointed by the MVDC to carry out the independent examination into the Westcott Neighbourhood Plan wrote with his initial determination and to confirm he will visit the area w/c 9 February. Further details contained in his letter, follow link to read Updated Westcott NP Initial determination letter 090226
16 Feb – following his visit the Independent Examiner wrote to both MVDC and the Westcott Village Forum with some questions, follow the link to read a copy of his letter Updated Westcott NP – Examiner questions 160226
The purpose of the examination is to test whether the submitted neighbourhood plan meets the basic conditions and other matters set out in Paragraph 8 of Schedule 4B to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended). More information on the examination process and the next steps are prescribed in national planning practice guidance on neighbourhood planning.
MVDC have set up a Westcott Neighbourhood Plan Examination page on their website which will provide updates on the progress of the examination. Follow this link to view.
The Surrey Bike Bank
Surrey Bike Bank is a free refurbished bike scheme and part of an Active Travel England funded programme designed to help get people more active in areas of deprivation in Surrey. Surrey Bike Bank is aimed at residents who don’t regularly use or own a bike but want to cycle to open up new opportunities and improve their lifestyles.
This project aims to make cycling accessible for everyone, by supplying free refurbished bikes to enhance accessibility to employment, education, and local services, while boosting mental and physical health by increasing levels of physical activity.
Please see their website for details on how you can apply for a free bike Surrey-Bike-Bank
Fabulous turnout for Christmas Carols on the Green. Happy Christmas Westcott
WVA's submission to the central Government Consultation about Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey
Click this link to view the WVA’s response to the LGR Review Consultation LGR Consultation Response Final 180725
To have your own say on this important issue please follow this link to the Government consultation page proposals-for-local-government-reorganisation-in-surrey The Government Consultation runs until the 5 August 2025
Surrey Hills National Landscape management consultation
Please follow the link to read the WVA’s response to the Surrey Hills National Landscape (previously known as the AONB) Management Plan consultation WVA SH 25-30 MP Consultation Submission 3 June 2025
March 2025 Newsletter
Latest village newsletter out now – click link to read https://mailchi.mp/4ae070d4be4d/villagenews09march2025
WVA's response to MVDC's draft Planning documents associated with the Local Plan
February 2025 – follow this link to view the WVA’s response to the MVDC consultation in relation to draft Affordable Housing, Planning Obligations and Design Guidelines. WVA Review – SPD Consultation 28022025
January 2025 Newsletters
Latest newsletter out now – click to read the 27 January 2025 edition https://mailchi.mp/a9895d7cec77/villagenews27jan2025
Previous newsletter 6 January 2025 january-village-news
Transport Infrastructure & Maintenance Issues
The WVA met recently with our local Councillors to discuss several areas of concern regarding local transport infrastructure including maintenance of roads and pavements, road safety improvements for the school, the impact of new housing on the already congested A25 and access to Dorking and how to encourage more cycling and walking. This has been followed up with a detailed letter setting out the concerns and asking for direct action – you can read a copy here WVA letter to SCC & MVDC ref Transport Problems (03-Jan-2025) We will let you know the outcome and continue to maintain the pressure on our local Councillors and representatives to deliver improvements.
Christmas Carols on the Village Green 2024
Thank you to everyone who came to sing carols around the village Christmas Tree on the green on Friday 20 December. A great turnout despite the weather. Such a lovely village event with over £250 raised in aid of Crisis at Christmas. Happy Christmas Westcott
Save the Date - WESTfest Summer 2024
WVA Newsletter - Public Consultations Have Your Say
27th November 2024 – latest WVA Newsletter – Public Consultations Have Your Say – out now https://mailchi.mp/9b8511477273/public-consultations-have-your-say
Dorking Masterplan
As mentioned in our last newsletter, Mole Valley District Council has launched a consultation on a draft masterplan for Dorking with the deadline for responses now coming up fast on the 5 December.
The masterplan report is a weighty document some 45 pages long and the WVA has spent time going through it to distil the key points of concern or general observations that may be of interest for our community. We have already submitted our report and you can view on the Westcott Village website by clicking this link
WVA Newsletter - Westcott Neighbourhood Development Plan and Village Forum Update November 2024
Read the latest edition of the WVA newsletter here https://mailchi.mp/b6b0044dc44e/village-forum-update-nov2024
WVA Newsletter - Village News November 2024
Read the WVA Village Newsletter here https://mailchi.mp/66142735347b/village-news-october2024-10973040
Mole Valley District Council Local Plan 2020 to 2039
It has now been widely reported by the Council that the new Local Plan has been adopted and we are now familiarising ourselves with this important development framework for our area. Despite well-reasoned representations from WVA and a significant number of Westcott residents, we were unsuccessful in persuading the Council and the Local Plan Inspector to remove Sondes Place Farm and Milton Court Lane, both green belt sites, from the Local Plan. In addition, Westcott will be required to contribute 123 new dwellings in the plan period which includes an allocated site on the west side of Westcott for 15 dwellings. This is another reason why it is important for us to renew our Westcott Neighbourhood Development Plan.
A copy of the MVDC Local Plan 2020-2039 can be viewed here Mole-Valley-Local-Plan-2020-2039.pdf and a copy of the WVA’s previous written representations to MVDC and the Inspector on the earlier drafts of the plan can be viewed here https://westcottvillage.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WVA-comments-on-MVDC-Local-Plan-Main-Modifications-Response-Final-230424.pdf
Other news
10 October 2024 – click this link to view the latest Westcott Village Hall Trustees update on the Westcott Village Hall WVH October 24 update 10 FINAL
31st March 2024 – click this link to view the WVA’s response on behalf of the village to the Surrey County Council Rights of Way Improvement Plan Consultation SCC ROWIP consultation WVA response 310324 Final with thanks to all those in the village who sumitted views and observations for inclusion. Copy of SCC’s letter inviting the submission can be viewed by clicking this link SCC Rights of Way email invitation to submit views Feb2024
18 March 2024 – Latest WVA Village Newsletter out now – click this link to view WVA Open Meeting and Village News – March 2024
WVA OPEN MEETING – Thursday 21st March 7.30pm at the Prince of Wales – everyone welcome – click link for agenda WVA Open Meet 210324 Agenda
3 November 2023 – Polling Station Review – WVA’s letter of representation urging the retention of two polling stations in Westcott MVDC Polling Station Consultation WVA Nov23 Final
2nd November 2023 – WESTCOTT VILLAGE HALL PUBLIC CONSULTATION
– follow link to complete questionnaire ZGFPNGT
– click link to view presentation material WVHT01-Westcott+Community+Consultation+Boards,+November+2023.pdf
– click link to view a video of presentation westcott-village-hall-public-consultation
29th October 2023 – what’s happening this week WVA newsletter
17th October 2023 – click to read the latest WVA newsletter Village News – October 2023
1st November 2023 – the Westcott Village Hall Trustees invite everyone to attend a Public Consultation on the options for redeveloping the Westcott Village Hall (former Reading Room) and The Hut – drop in any time 3pm to 9pm or come and listen to the presentation and Q&A sessions at either 4.30pm or 7.30pm 
12th September 2023 – click here to view the latest WVA Newsletter – Village News September 2023
6th July 2023 – AGM 2023 minutes saved to About Us>>Agendas & Minutes section of website
30th June 2023 – click here to view the WVA’s submission to Natural England’s public consultation on the Surrey Hills AONB Boundary Review
24 June 2023 – click link to view the Invitation to the WVA AGM 2023 Invitation to WVA AGM Thursday 29th June 7.30pm
11 June 2023 – click link to view June 2023 Village Newsletter June 2023 Village Newsletter
5 June 2023 – click link to view MVDC’s Refusal Decision Notice in relation to the Sondes Place Farm Planning Application Sondes Place Farm Decision notice REFUSAL 5June2023 MO_2023_0188
8 May 2023 – A Right Royal WESTFest – how Westcott celebrated the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III Westcott Kings Coronation May 2023
20 April 2023 – click the link to view the extra newsletter sent in April WVA Bottle Tombola at WESTfest 20April2023 newsletter
11 April 2023 – click the link to view the April 2023 Village Newsletter April 2023 Village Newsletter
9 March 2023 – click link to view the WVA Petition to Object to the Sondes Place Farm Planning Application
7 March 2023 click link to view invitation to theWVA Open Meeting invitation – LOCATION CHANGED
6 March 2023 click link to view latest newsletter WVA Village Newsletter 6March2023
1 December 2022 – WVA Open Meeting Agenda – click here
24 November 2022 – WVA Village News – click here to view
12 October 2022 – WVA Newsletter October 2022 – click here to view
16 September 2022 – A National Moment of Reflection – click here to view
12 July 2022 – A more inclusive membership and changes to subscriptions – click here to view
24 June 2022 – Dates for your Diary – WESTfest and the WVA AGM – click here to view
16 June 2022 – Notice of the Third Annual General Meeting of the WVA – click here to view
10 June 2022 – WVA WestFest Stall – click here to view
29 May 2022 – WVA Newsletter May 2022 – click here to view
20 April 2022 – Wolvens Lane Petition – click here to view
31 March 2022 – Ukraine Fund Raiser – click here to view
24 February 2022 – Open Meeting Agenda – click here to view
17 February 2022 – Public Open Meeting 22 February 2022 – click here to view
23 December 2021 – Westcott Village Hall Charity – click here to view
February 2021 – click here for our latest update
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