Planning adviser to Surrey County Council for the construction of new community centre.
Undertook in-depth community engagement and pre-application discussions.
Submitted application, securing planning permission. Construction is already underway.
Public Sector Planning Advice - Bookham Community Centre
2027
Completion expected by.
Challenge
Vail Williams was appointed by Surrey County Council as planning adviser to secure planning permission for a new community centre in Bookham which represented the culmination of a long-standing aspiration to provide modern facilities for local young people and the wider community.
The site was identified within Mole Valley District Council’s Local Plan for healthcare use, requiring us to justify the scheme and wider community benefit. We also addressed highways concerns and engaged with the local community who were cautious about the project’s delivery.
How we helped
- Provided strategic planning advice from pre-application stage through to determination and discharge of conditions.
- Identified key planning risks and developed a strategy to overcome Local Plan allocation challenges.
- Worked closely with Mole Valley District Council, Surrey County Council and project partners throughout the process, leading stakeholder engagement with local residents, healthcare representatives, community groups and Bookham Youth and Community Association (BYCA).
- Supported a well-attended public consultation event to gather feedback and address concerns, and managed the application process, consultation responses and associated demolition consent.
“Vail Williams quickly identified the key planning and stakeholder challenges that could have delayed the project. Their proactive engagement with healthcare stakeholders, local consultees and planning officers ensured we achieved the timescales set out within our Planning Performance Agreement, enabling the project to move forward.”
Darren Humphreys, Contracts Manager, Land & Property, Surrey County Council.
Result
- Expert planning advice and community engagement enabled planning permission to be successfully granted for the new community centre.
- Permission was achieved within the necessary timescales, and construction has already commenced, providing visible progress on a long-awaited community project.
- The centre will deliver a modern, accessible and inclusive facility which will become a future hub for youth activities, community groups, sports and health and wellbeing initiatives.
- As a result, Surrey County Council has unlocked a significant long-term investment in the Bookham community.
Get in touch
If you think you may need similar support to that described here, or you would simply want to have an informal chat with a member of our team to discuss your property needs, get in touch.
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