Latest news with #MVDC
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
New Mole Valley climate change action plan to be considered
A new climate change action plan from a council in Surrey is set to be Valley District Council (MVDC) says its 2025-26 climate change action plan sets out "strategic direction by translating decarbonisation goals into a set of actionable initiatives".The 10 priority actions from the plan include supporting the decarbonisation of temporary accommodation properties, installing solar carports and delivering energy efficiency improvements across the Malcolmson, the council's cabinet member for climate change, said: "Over the coming year, the climate change agenda will thread through all services at MVDC." In June 2019, MVDC declared a climate emergency and said it aimed to become carbon neutral by 2030. A climate change strategy was approved in October 2021 and set out the initial actions the council would take to build a greener, more sustainable future and reduce its carbon 2025-26 plan will be discussed at scrutiny and cabinet meetings on Tuesday and 17 June.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A tale of two South East high streets
A difficult financial climate and declining footfall are making it harder to become a high street success story. This is certainly the case in the Surrey town of Leatherhead and Chatham in Kent, both of which are at the centre of regeneration plans. While the projects promise plenty, businesses are trying to survive amid quieter high streets and greater overheads. BBC South East has been out to meet shoppers and businesses over a busy Easter holiday break to get their views on their high street. Leatherhead resident Paul thinks the town should be "more successful than it is". "The money's here, there's lots of wealthy people here but they don't shop in Leatherhead," he said. According to data from the Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR), Mole Valley - the main towns of which are Dorking and Leatherhead - saw a 13% reduction in retail businesses between 2023 and 2024. Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) says this figure is based on "misrepresenting data" due to some businesses being incorrectly classified. Lucio Dilena, the owner of Lucio's Coffee & Deli, admits the town "does lack in footfall" but says a good reputation ensures his business remains strong. Lucio really notices a difference on the days when there are market stalls on the high street. "It's great, because if the town's busy, everyone's busy," he added. MVDC said its Transform Leatherhead regeneration programme aims to "revitalise" Leatherhead town centre and reposition the town by providing a "wider mix of uses to meet the evolving function of our town centres". From the 14-18th April, BBC South East will be getting out and about on our region's high streets. Catch up on BBC South East Today on BBC iPlayer and listen to BBC Radio Kent, Sussex and Surrey on BBC Sounds. James, who works in the Chatham Intra - the town's creative and heritage quarter - said: "I've seen the creative community develop since I've been working here." That marries up with the IBDR statistics, which show an increase in retail businesses from 685 in 2023 to 710 in 2024. Antwon feels the high street is "getting there slowly but surely", adding that "development is the key". Sam Maric and Sara Woodley have been running No.64 Coffee & Brunch in the heart of Chatham for just over five years. "We just open every day and see what comes," Sam said, describing business as "totally unpredictable". Having survived the pandemic, Sam says they are now experiencing "worse" cost of living pressures. Until last year, Matt Simms was able to rely on small business rate relief for the Unique Boxing & Kickboxing Gym, which has been on the high street for 15 years. In April, a 75% discount to rates was replaced by a discount of 40%, up to a maximum of £110,000. Matt's £957 charge in 2024 rose to £2,794 this year. The government has been approached for a comment. Matt says he is "having to try to evaluate different ways of how to absorb those costs". He admits it's "tough" to operate in this part of the high street but feels his gym offers people a sense of belonging. Dr Tim Akers, development manager of the Federation of Small Business in Kent and Medway, believes the high street is in a "disastrous" state. "I started in this role at the tail end of Covid. It was better then," he says, blaming the cost of living crisis. He said when the middle class feel the pinch "that's when small businesses suffer". The recent increase to employers' National Insurance Contributions (NICs) has been particularly difficult, he added. Though a gloomy picture, Tim is confident businesses can recover but need to be confident that "there aren't going to be any more fiscal shocks". A spokesperson for Medway Council said: "We recognise Chatham High Street has suffered particularly since the pandemic and needs help to once again become the vibrant town centre it was loved for. "Nevertheless, millions of pounds are being invested in Chatham's town centre, and there is still much on offer including independent shops, thriving theatre and award winning café and art gallery." Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Plans to develop Chatham Docks get green light Council to fund shopping centre project Plans could breathe new life into town - council 'It would be nice to smarten up the area' Regeneration in Chatham Transform Leatherhead
BBC News
14-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Leatherhead and Chatham: A tale of two high streets:
A difficult financial climate and declining footfall are making it harder to become a high street success is certainly the case in the Surrey town of Leatherhead and Chatham in Kent, both of which are at the centre of regeneration the projects promise plenty, businesses are trying to survive amid quieter high streets and greater overheads. BBC South East has been out to meet shoppers and businesses over a busy Easter holiday break to get their views on their high street. Leatherhead's footfall Leatherhead resident Paul thinks the town should be "more successful than it is"."The money's here, there's lots of wealthy people here but they don't shop in Leatherhead," he to data from the Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR), Mole Valley - the main towns of which are Dorking and Leatherhead - saw a 13% reduction in retail businesses between 2023 and 2024. Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) says this figure is based on "misrepresenting data" due to some businesses being incorrectly classified. Lucio Dilena, the owner of Lucio's Coffee & Deli, admits the town "does lack in footfall" but says a good reputation ensures his business remains strong. Lucio really notices a difference on the days when there are market stalls on the high street."It's great, because if the town's busy, everyone's busy," he said its Transform Leatherhead regeneration programme aims to "revitalise" Leatherhead town centre and reposition the town by providing a "wider mix of uses to meet the evolving function of our town centres". From the 14-18th April, BBC South East will be getting out and about on our region's high streets. Catch up on BBC South East Today on BBC iPlayer and listen to BBC Radio Kent, Sussex and Surrey on BBC Sounds. Chatham's challenge James, who works in the Chatham Intra - the town's creative and heritage quarter - said: "I've seen the creative community develop since I've been working here."That marries up with the IBDR statistics, which show an increase in retail businesses from 685 in 2023 to 710 in 2024. Antwon feels the high street is "getting there slowly but surely", adding that "development is the key".Sam Maric and Sara Woodley have been running No.64 Coffee & Brunch in the heart of Chatham for just over five years."We just open every day and see what comes," Sam said, describing business as "totally unpredictable".Having survived the pandemic, Sam says they are now experiencing "worse" cost of living pressures. Until last year, Matt Simms was able to rely on small business rate relief for the Unique Boxing & Kickboxing Gym, which has been on the high street for 15 April, a 75% discount to rates was replaced by a discount of 40%, up to a maximum of £110,000. Matt's £957 charge in 2024 rose to £2,794 this government has been approached for a says he is "having to try to evaluate different ways of how to absorb those costs". He admits it's "tough" to operate in this part of the high street but feels his gym offers people a sense of belonging. Dr Tim Akers, development manager of the Federation of Small Business in Kent and Medway, believes the high street is in a "disastrous" state."I started in this role at the tail end of Covid. It was better then," he says, blaming the cost of living said when the middle class feel the pinch "that's when small businesses suffer".The recent increase to employers' National Insurance Contributions (NICs) has been particularly difficult, he a gloomy picture, Tim is confident businesses can recover but need to be confident that "there aren't going to be any more fiscal shocks".A spokesperson for Medway Council said: "We recognise Chatham High Street has suffered particularly since the pandemic and needs help to once again become the vibrant town centre it was loved for. "Nevertheless, millions of pounds are being invested in Chatham's town centre, and there is still much on offer including independent shops, thriving theatre and award winning café and art gallery."
BBC News
05-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Mole Valley campaign urges people to help keep district clean
A council in Surrey has launched a campaign to encourage residents and visitors to take pride in the district and help keep it Valley District Council (MVDC)'s Be Proud campaign urges people to report issues including overflowing bins, dog poo and by MVDC's mascot, Merlin the "Eco" Mole, Be Proud also aims to provide advice and educate people on how to adhere to the Countryside Hobbs, the council's cabinet member for community services, said: "We are really keen to tap into people's pride in where they live, work and visit, to inspire behavioural change." The council said people could take pride in the district by volunteering and playing the Mole Valley Community Lottery to raise funds for local have also been encouraged to consider litter picking by borrowing free equipment.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Plans approved for 200 homes on former green belt
Up to 200 new homes will be built on former green belt land despite fears they could overwhelm the already strained sewage system. Mole Valley District Council's (MVDC) planning committee approved developer Thakeham's plans for the 27 hectare site off Little Bookham Street, near Leatherhead . As well as the 200 homes, the plans will feature a community building, Gypsy, Roman and Traveller pitches, and public open space that the developers said would also open access to nearby ponds, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service. They added that 40% of the homes would be affordable. The site has been identified for development by the council's local plan but the application had drawn more than 300 objections. Residents raised issues of raw sewage, but Thames Water raised no objections. People objecting also said they were concerned about the impact on the children in the area being bumped out of the local school's catchment area. The new homes will be net carbon zero and feature a mix of one to four-bedrooms. The developers hope to create 45 acres of open space and a new country park. Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, and on X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Opinion divided over homes plan for green belt Plans for 270 new homes to go before council Mole Valley District Council Local Democracy Reporting Service
