Website under development
Welcome to
Bookham Youth & Community Association
Newsflash - Action Needed !
PLANNING APPLICATION for NEW CENTRE
At last, finally, after a lot of hard work - we have the Planning Application in progress and we need your help.
We urgently need your support and help to turn this community facility into reality.
The full plans are now all on the Surrey County Council (SCC) planning portal and they require public comment.
The deadline for comment is 22 January 2026 the link to access the application is below
So please take a few minutes to support our Application named: Bookham Youth & Community Centre.
https://planning.surreycc.gov.uk/Planning/Display/SCCRef-2025-0206
Comments can also be made by email or post:
By Email: mwcd@surreycc.gov.uk
By Post: Planning, Surrey County Council, PO Box 478, Reigate RH28EF quoting application reference number SCCREF-2025-0206 with your full postal address.
Message From the BYCA Trustees
We have fought hard for 13 years to build a new, exciting and inclusive community facility for everyone in and around Bookham. To help us get there, at last, PLEASE take a few minutes to support the Planning Application
This new website is to keep the Bookham & neighbouring communities up to date as the development proceeds. Building completion due Autumn 2026.
In addition to updates on this website, you can sign up for our email service which will send updates direct to your mailbox. Click on CONTACT US
There are hurdles ahead before delivery can be assured including:
· Planning approval
· Lease agreement
· Funding of equipment required to operate centre.
· Recruiting more volunteers - see “Can you help?”
News 10th December 2025
Planning application submitted by SCC and old building demolished.
Since the Bookham Youth & Community Centre closed in 2019, due to the building being condemned and beyond economic repair, there have been many 1000s of hours invested by the BYCA Trustees, Surrey County Council and Mole Valley District Council to replace it and provide a much needed new facility for the whole community but one with which young people can identify.
In September 2025 work commenced on the development of a new Youth & Community Centre on the original site of 164 Lower Road.
There are many hurdles ahead before delivery can be assured including:
Heads of Terms of a lease (HoT) from SCC
Planning application approval
Funding of equipment required to operate centre.
Financial appraisal on viability of operating centre, within the terms of the lease, taking into account the likely costs and hire income that can be delivered from the new centre’s facilities.
This website has been created to keep the Bookham community up to date as the development proceeds. In addition to updates on this website, you can sign up for our email service which will send updates direct to your mailbox.
Latest news...
Demolition of the old building to start
24th October 2025
Contractors, Best Demolition Ltd, will be commencing the demolition of the old centre on behalf of SCC on 29th October 2025. The work is expected to take six weeks to complete. Any points of concern can be raised with Best Demolition.
01435 862381
office@bestdemolition.co.uk
SCC Press Release
Surrey County Council’s Cabinet has given the green light to build a brand-new Bookham Community Centre, marking a significant milestone for residents and local community groups.
The former Bookham Youth and Community Centre, located at 164 Lower Road, served the community from the 1950s until its closure in 2019. After careful consideration of potential sites and planning constraints, Cabinet has now confirmed that the new Bookham Community Centre will be delivered independently of any housing development, ensuring that the needs of the community remain the top priority.
