‘Derelict’ Surrey chalk pit sold off for potential new homes development

The 0.82 acre site off Chalk Pit Lane, on the corner of Great Bookham, could see around seven new homes being built.

Members of Surrey County Council decided it no longer needs the depot site and have advertised the land as a “residential development opportunity”.

Signing off the proposals, cabinet agreed to sell Surrey County Council land at the former Chalk Pits site, in Great Bookham, on April 22.

Around seven homes could be built on the Chalk Pit Lane site, as outlined in Mole Valley District Council’s local plan.

No applications have been put in yet (at the time of writing) and approval still depends on planning permission.

“This has been a derelict yard for all the time I’ve been an elected member – which is now 25 years,” said Councillor Clare Curran.

The Conservative member for Bookham and Fetcham West said she thought people would support this site to be ‘released’ for redevelopment.

“It’s been empty for all that time and it will be good to see it come to positive use,” she added.

Until recently the site was used as a highway depot, last being used to store the county highway winter fleet vehicles in autumn 2024.

But now Surrey council say they have no local or operational use for it.

Selling the sorry site, funds will be put back into the council’s pot to support its capital programme for building and infrastructure.

Getting rid of the former chalk pit means there is no ongoing revenue and void costs to maintain the site.