Riverbank Surgery, Westcott
Sources
A chronology and collection of source documents concerning Riverbank Surgery, including the records behind factual statements in Dr Tom’s letter.
Timeline
Riverbank Surgery has served Westcott since the late 1980s. This timeline explains how a converted home became the village surgery, the arrangements made when Dr Thomas Guilder retired, and how the property later became the subject of proposed safeguarding under Policy WNDP7 of the Westcott Neighbourhood Development Plan. Each entry carries a label showing what kind of source it rests on, and links to one primary source; further documents sit inside the “Related evidence” panel.
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Riverbank Surgery is established
Dr Thomas Guilder became Westcott’s single-handed GP in 1988. He acquired a residential property, then known as Peacehaven, and funded its conversion for use as a doctors’ surgery. The original planning file is MO/89/1022.
The MO/89/1022 decision notice has no dependable direct public URL. A checked copy will be published on this site.
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The property becomes part of Dr Guilder’s retirement provision
On professional advice, the surgery premises were placed within Dr Guilder’s Self-Invested Personal Pension. Riverbank therefore became a significant part of his retirement provision while continuing to operate as a surgery.
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Retirement planning and preservation of the Westcott patient list
Dr Guilder’s account is that he was advised that simply retiring as a single-handed GP would result in the practice being dissolved and the patient list being dispersed. He instead entered merger arrangements intended to preserve continuity of care in Westcott.
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Dorking Medical Practice begins operating from Riverbank
Dorking Medical Practice began operating from Riverbank under arrangements intended by Dr Guilder to be temporary and to end in February 2021. No occupational underlease or subsequent formal lease to DMP was executed; the legal basis of the continued occupation is disputed and is not determined on this website.
SourceOpen DMP’s letter dated 15 May 2026 (PDF, opens in a new tab)
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DMP records that another site must be found
Dorking Medical Practice’s Patient Participation Group minutes recorded that the practice had access to Riverbank only until February 2021, and that another site therefore had to be found.
“There has been a setback. DMP have access to the Riverbank site only until February 2021 so another site has to be found…”
DMP Patient Participation Group minutes, 13 May 2019.Why this mattersThis was recorded in the practice’s own minutes, before the current dispute, while DMP and WVA were pursuing replacement premises.
Originally published on DMP’s former website, which no longer serves the file. A checked copy is published on this site.
SourceDownload the DMP PPG minutes — 13 May 2019 (PDF, 2 pages, copy held on this site)
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A purpose-built replacement surgery is explored
DMP, the Hut and the Reading Room explored a modern purpose-built surgery and community facility. A March 2020 public statement said formal NHS commitment remained conditional on a business case and approval of financial parameters, while DMP’s partners expressed commitment to a modern purpose-built medical facility.
SourceRead the March 2020 joint statement (webpage, opens in a new tab)
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Village minutes acknowledge a return to residential use is open to the owner
The minutes of the WVA open meeting acknowledged that the owner was at liberty to convert Riverbank back into a private house.
Why this mattersThe village’s own minutes recorded at the time that a return to residential use remained open to the owner.
The relevant passage is on page 8 of the PDF.
SourceOpen WVA Open Meeting minutes — 5 March 2020, page 8 (PDF, opens in a new tab)
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The original fixed term ends
The fixed term connected with the original occupation arrangements ended in February 2021. No occupational underlease or subsequent formal lease to DMP was executed; the legal basis of the continued occupation is disputed and is not determined on this website.
SourceOpen DMP’s letter dated 15 May 2026 (PDF, opens in a new tab)
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The Hut replacement project stalls
A village update stated that the surgery would remain at Riverbank for so long as lease terms permitted, after the proposed Hut scheme became uncertain.
“The surgery will have to remain at Riverbank for so long as lease terms permit.”
Westcott Magazine, October 2021.Why this mattersThe wording records that continued use of Riverbank depended on the applicable lease terms.
SourceOpen the October 2021 Westcott Magazine (PDF, opens in a new tab)
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Residential change-of-use application is submitted and withdrawn
An application, MO/2021/2158, sought to return Riverbank to residential use. DMP and WVA objected. Dorking Medical Practice also messaged patients on 7 December 2021 stating that it would object, and repeated that notice in the January 2022 Westcott Magazine. The application was later withdrawn rather than refused.
The original WVA filename says “Meadowbank Surgery”, but the document concerns Riverbank Surgery. The MVDC application and withdrawal records have no dependable direct public URL; checked copies will be published on this site.
SourceOpen WVA’s representation on MO/2021/2158 (PDF, opens in a new tab)
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No replacement surgery is delivered
Further attempts to identify a deliverable replacement continued, but no new surgery was secured. Public material later recorded that a combined surgery and village-facility proposal at the Hut and Reading Room was not achievable.
SourceOpen the replacement-surgery update — January 2022 (PDF, opens in a new tab)
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The updated neighbourhood-plan process begins
The inaugural meeting of the new Westcott Village Forum was held. Working groups were established to prepare an updated Westcott Neighbourhood Development Plan.
SourceOpen the inaugural Forum presentation — 12 November 2024 (PDF, opens in a new tab)
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The Forum and neighbourhood area are designated
MVDC consulted on the proposed Forum and neighbourhood area between 1 April and 16 May 2025. The Westcott Village Forum and neighbourhood area were formally designated on 17 June 2025.
SourceOpen the Forum designation document (PDF, opens in a new tab)
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Regulation 14 consultation
The Forum consulted on the draft updated plan. Following that consultation, Riverbank was included within the restrictive safeguarding provisions of Policy WNDP7.
SourceOpen the Regulation 14 Consultation Statement (PDF, opens in a new tab)
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MVDC Regulation 16 consultation
MVDC held the formal Regulation 16 consultation on the submission version of the plan. The documents were publicly available, including at Riverbank Surgery. Dr Guilder’s account is that neither he nor the pension trustee received direct notice of the property-specific proposal.
SourceOpen the final submission WNDP (PDF, opens in a new tab)
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Independent examination begins
MVDC submitted the plan for independent examination and appointed Andrew Mead as Examiner.
SourceOpen the MVDC examination page (webpage, opens in a new tab)
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Dr Guilder first becomes aware of the safeguarding proposal
Dr Guilder’s account is that he first became aware on 2 April 2026 that the updated plan proposed safeguarding Riverbank under WNDP7, after the Regulation 14 and Regulation 16 consultation periods had ended.
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An urgent representation is submitted and accepted
A representation was submitted on Dr Guilder’s behalf on 15 April. On 20 April, the Examiner accepted it as a late representation and it became part of the examination record.
SourceOpen the Examiner’s Report (PDF, opens in a new tab)
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The Examiner recommends removing Riverbank from WNDP7
The Examiner’s Report is dated 14 May and was published on 18 May. It found that the landowner had not been included in preparing the plan and might have been prejudiced. Proposed Modification PM6 recommended deleting Riverbank from the list of safeguarded community assets.
Why this mattersThis is the independent Examiner’s own conclusion on the property-specific proposal.
The report was dated 14 May 2026 and published on 18 May 2026. The findings on Riverbank are at paragraphs 4.12–4.14, on page 14 of the PDF.
SourceRead the Examiner’s findings on Riverbank — page 14, paragraphs 4.12–4.14 (PDF, opens in a new tab)
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DMP writes to MVDC
Dorking Medical Practice sent a letter opposing the Examiner’s recommendation and supporting continued safeguarding. The letter also acknowledged that Riverbank could not indefinitely support the required volume and complexity of care in its current configuration.
DMP’s letter is dated 15 May 2026. The Examiner’s Report was dated 14 May 2026 and published on 18 May 2026.
SourceOpen DMP’s letter dated 15 May 2026 (PDF, opens in a new tab)
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MVDC declines to accept PM6 at that stage
MVDC published its Decision Statement. It accepted the Examiner’s other modifications but did not accept PM6, stating that DMP’s letter provided information it considered new, germane and material. The Council decided to hold a focused consultation.
SourceOpen MVDC’s Decision Statement — 2 June 2026 (PDF, opens in a new tab)
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Focused consultation on Riverbank
MVDC asked one question: whether the updated plan should safeguard Riverbank for its existing use under WNDP7. The six-week consultation closed at 5pm on 21 July 2026.
SourceOpen the focused-consultation document (PDF, opens in a new tab)
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Westcott Village Forum public meeting
More than 60 people attended a Forum meeting at which DMP presented its position on medical services and Riverbank. Dr Guilder’s account is that he was not invited to present his own history and position.
SourceOpen the 24 June 2026 Forum presentation (PDF, opens in a new tab)
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Dr Guilder publishes his account and a formal representation is submitted
Dr Guilder signed a personal account explaining his history with Riverbank, the retirement arrangements and why his representation was late. A formal response to the focused consultation was submitted on his behalf on 21 July.
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Representations are referred for further consideration
MVDC compiled the focused-consultation responses into a Statement of Consultation and states that the material will be considered by a new Examiner. The final outcome had not been determined when this page was prepared.
A checked copy of MVDC’s July 2026 Statement of Consultation will be published on this site.
SourceOpen the MVDC planning-consultations page (webpage, opens in a new tab)
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Further information about contact is published
MVDC added two further documents to the examination record: the Westcott Village Forum’s account of its attempts to engage with the owner of Riverbank Surgery, reproducing the underlying correspondence, and the chronology of contact submitted for Dr Guilder in reply. The two accounts agree about what happened; the chronology submitted for Dr Guilder sets each occasion against the consultation that was, or was not, running at the time.
Why this mattersUntil this point the question of who was told what, and when, rested on Dr Guilder’s own recollection. Both sides’ accounts are now on the examination record.
SourceOpen the contact record — both accounts in one document (PDF, 25 pages, copy held on this site, opens in a new tab)
This history shows that support for medical services in Westcott and the question of whether Riverbank itself should be permanently safeguarded are not the same thing.
The 2021 patient communications
The 2021 application to return the building to residential use, and how Dorking Medical Practice communicated it to patients and the village.
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WVA objects to the change-of-use application
Westcott Village Association submitted a public representation objecting to application MO/2021/2158, which sought to return Riverbank to residential use. The application was later withdrawn rather than refused.
The original WVA filename says “Meadowbank Surgery”, but the document concerns Riverbank Surgery.
SourceOpen WVA’s representation on MO/2021/2158 (PDF, opens in a new tab)
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DMP messages patients about the planning application
Dorking Medical Practice sent a message to patients through its NHS patient-messaging system, timed at 3:00pm on 7 December 2021. The message told patients that a planning application had been submitted, stated the practice’s intention to object, and pointed readers to the planning application’s comment function.
We would like to make you aware that a planning application has been submitted for Riverbank Surgery to convert it into a residential unit. The practice is naturally disappointed that the site has not been offered to us and we will be objecting to this proposal until such time that we have relocated to a new premises in Westcott.
Dorking Medical Practice message to patients, 7 December 2021.Why this mattersDMP publicised its intended objection to patients and directed readers to the planning application’s comment function. This is direct evidence of patient-facing communication about a private planning matter. It does not, by itself, show that every registered patient received the message, or that patients were expressly instructed to lodge an objection.
The message as sent to patients on 7 December 2021 at 3:00pm. A full text transcript is below. Third-party personal data does not appear in the message. Read the full text transcript
Dorking Medical Practice — message sent on 7 December 2021 at 3:00pm.
Dear patient,
We would like to make you aware that a planning application has been submitted for Riverbank Surgery to convert it into a residential unit. The practice is naturally disappointed that the site has not been offered to us and we will be objecting to this proposal until such time that we have relocated to a new premises in Westcott. The NHS are fully supportive of our position, and we continue to work together on our proposed plans within the village.
Further information can be found on the following link: [a Mole Valley District Council planning portal link for application MO/2021/2158].
There is an option for anyone to comment on this proposal under the ‘appeal details’ tab ‘comment on this application’.
We will keep you apprised of our progress and thank you all for your patience in this matter.
Kind regards
Dorking Medical PracticeSource View the message as sent to patients (PNG image, held on this site)
Dorking Medical Practice · 7 December 2021 · no public URL for practice patient messaging, so a checked local copy is published here with a text transcript. -
The same notice is published in the Westcott Magazine
A notice from Dorking Medical Practice addressed “Dear Patient” appeared on page 43 of the January 2022 Westcott Magazine. It repeated the practice’s intention to object to the residential application and again directed readers to the planning portal’s comment function.
We will be objecting to this proposal until such time that we have relocated to a new premises in Westcott.
Dorking Medical Practice notice, Westcott Magazine, January 2022, page 43.Why this mattersThe notice shows the same patient-facing message carried in the village publication as well as by direct messaging. Again, it evidences the communication itself; it does not show how many people read it or that anyone was told to object.
The notice as printed on page 43 of the January 2022 Westcott Magazine. A local image copy is held here; the full magazine is linked below. Source Open the DMP patient notice — January 2022 Westcott Magazine, page 43 (PDF, opens in a new tab)
The notice is on page 43 of the magazine. Local image copy: view the notice.
Source documents
The original evidence, grouped by who produced it. Wherever a dependable public copy exists, the link opens that exact document rather than a general archive or search portal.
Where a record has no dependable direct public URL it is listed with its publisher and date and marked as a copy still to be published, rather than linked to an address that would fail. See About This Site for how documents are checked and redacted.
The August 2026 contact record
Both accounts of contact placed before the Examiner, gathered into one document so they can be read together. It is a compilation and not itself a submission: each part is reproduced exactly as filed or published, unedited and unabridged, and the cover page says what is inside and where each part came from. The three parts are also listed separately below.
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The contact record
The one-page visual summary (page 2), the chronology of contact submitted for Dr Guilder with its appendices A–J (pages 3–15), and the Westcott Village Forum’s further information (pages 16–25). The two accounts do not disagree about what happened; what the chronology sets out is when, against the consultation that was — or was not — running at the time.
Open the contact record — PDF, 25 pages, opens in a new tab
Official record
Representations to the 2026 plan examination and focused consultation
The representations made on behalf of Dr Guilder and of the freeholder to the Westcott Neighbourhood Plan examination (May 2026) and to Mole Valley’s subsequent focused consultation, together with Mole Valley’s official extract concerning Riverbank. The views in each are the authors’ own and are not adopted as findings by this website; the disputed matters they touch on are not determined here. Third-party names, signatures and any commercial figures have been redacted for publication.
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Representation to the plan examination
Prepared on Dr Guilder’s behalf by chartered town planners, this representation to the independent Examiner argues that proposed Policy WNDP7 fails the statutory basic conditions and should be deleted or materially modified, and records that Dr Guilder was not contacted during the plan’s preparation.
Open the representation — PDF, redacted, opens in a new tab
Personal account Redacted for publication
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Representation by the freeholder
The registered freeholder of Riverbank Surgery — which holds the building within Dr Guilder’s Self-Invested Personal Pension — states that it was not consulted under Regulation 14 and does not consent to the safeguarding designation proposed by Policy WNDP7.
Open the representation — PDF, redacted, opens in a new tab
Third-party position Redacted for publication
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Focused consultation document — extract concerning Riverbank
An extract from Mole Valley’s official focused-consultation document, reproducing the representations made for the freeholder and beneficiary of Riverbank Surgery, including the lease position and the concerns raised about the WNDP7 designation.
Open the extract — PDF, redacted, opens in a new tab
Official record Redacted for publication
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Representation to the focused consultation (Representation 68)
Dr Guilder’s representation to Mole Valley’s focused consultation, read with the 12 May examination letter. It encloses his own account and the opposing representations to which it responds, and asks the Council to endorse the Examiner’s recommended removal of Riverbank from Policy WNDP7.
Open the representation — PDF, redacted, opens in a new tab
Personal account Redacted for publication
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Chronology of contact, submitted to the Examiner
Submitted in reply to the Westcott Village Forum’s statement of 31 July 2026, after the Examiner granted the Forum a right to respond to the representations. It sets the three recorded contact attempts against the dates of the consultations themselves, and reproduces the underlying documents at Appendices A to J.
The document states that no valuation figure appears anywhere in it, and nothing concerning Dr Guilder’s health or the occupier’s tenancy; personal telephone numbers and email addresses have been removed.
Open the chronology of contact — PDF, 13 pages, opens in a new tab
Personal account
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Chronology of contact — one-page visual summary
The same chronology drawn as a single page, showing the three recorded contact attempts against the consultation periods. It is a visual summary only and is read with the sourced chronology and its appendices.
Open the visual summary — PDF, 1 page, opens in a new tab
Personal account
DMP records and statements
Records and published statements from Dorking Medical Practice.
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DMP Patient Participation Group minutes
Records that DMP had access to Riverbank only until February 2021 and that another site therefore had to be found. Created while DMP and WVA were pursuing replacement premises.
Originally published on DMP’s former website, which no longer serves the file. The copy below is held on this site so the source remains available; the original address was mysurgerywebsite.co.uk.
Download the DMP PPG minutes — 13 May 2019 — PDF, 2 pages
Third-party position
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DMP message to patients on the planning application
A message sent to patients through the practice’s NHS patient-messaging system, stating that the practice would object to the residential application and pointing readers to the planning application’s comment function. It evidences the communication itself, not how many people read it.
There is no public URL for practice patient messaging, so a checked local copy is published here with a full text transcript.
See the message with its transcript · view the image
Third-party position Local copy
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DMP notice in the Westcott Magazine
A notice addressed “Dear Patient” repeating the practice’s intention to object to the residential application and again directing readers to the planning portal’s comment function.
The notice is on page 43 of the January 2022 magazine. A local image copy is held on this site.
Open the notice — January 2022 Westcott Magazine, page 43 — PDF · view the local image copy
Third-party position
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Letter from Dorking Medical Practice to MVDC
DMP’s published response to the proposed deletion of Riverbank from WNDP7. It also acknowledged that Riverbank could not indefinitely support the required volume and complexity of care in its current configuration.
Open DMP’s letter dated 15 May 2026 — PDF
Third-party position
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Joint statement on a new purpose-built surgery
Describes the pursuit of a modern, purpose-built medical facility. Formal NHS commitment remained conditional on a business case and approval of financial parameters.
Read the March 2020 joint statement
Contemporaneous record
Westcott Village Association / Forum
Village records, committee minutes, magazine issues and project updates.
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WVA AGM minutes
Annual general meeting minutes recording the village’s involvement in researching alternative sites for the surgery.
Open WVA AGM minutes — 16 October 2019 — PDF
Contemporaneous record
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WVA Committee minutes
Committee minutes from the period in which the replacement-premises search was active.
Open WVA Committee minutes — 31 October 2019 — PDF
Contemporaneous record
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WVA Open Meeting minutes
The minutes acknowledged that the owner was at liberty to convert Riverbank back into a private house. The relevant passage is on page 8.
Open WVA Open Meeting minutes — 5 March 2020, page 8 — PDF
Contemporaneous record
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WVA Committee minutes
Committee minutes recording discussion of the surgery’s position and the planning application then under consideration.
Published under a /2022/02/ upload path although the meeting took place in December 2021.
Open WVA Committee minutes — 2 December 2021 — PDF
Third-party position
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WVA representation on MO/2021/2158
WVA’s public objection to the application to return Riverbank to residential use.
The original WVA filename says “Meadowbank Surgery”, but the document concerns Riverbank Surgery.
Open WVA’s representation on MO/2021/2158 — PDF
Contemporaneous record
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Westcott Magazine, January 2020
Acknowledged that Dr Guilder would need to realise the value of the surgery building to support his retirement.
Open the January 2020 Westcott Magazine — PDF
Contemporaneous record
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Westcott Magazine, October 2021
Contains the statement that the surgery would have to remain at Riverbank for so long as lease terms permit.
Open the October 2021 Westcott Magazine — PDF
Contemporaneous record
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Replacement-surgery project updates 5, 9 and 10
Progress updates on the proposed replacement surgery and community facility, through to the point at which the combined proposal was recorded as not achievable.
Open update 5 — January 2021 — PDF · update 9 · update 10
Contemporaneous record
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WVA Committee minutes
Committee minutes from the period immediately after the original fixed term ended.
Copy to be published — a dependable direct WVA URL has not been confirmed, so a checked copy will be published here.
Contemporaneous record
Westcott Neighbourhood Plan documents
The plan itself and the documents produced during its preparation.
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Westcott Neighbourhood Development Plan 2020–2039 — final submission version
The submission version of the updated plan, as considered at examination. Riverbank was included within the safeguarding provisions of Policy WNDP7.
Open the final submission WNDP — PDF · tracked-change version
Official record
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Regulation 14 Consultation Statement
The statement accompanying the Regulation 14 consultation on the draft updated plan.
Open the Regulation 14 Consultation Statement — PDF
Official record
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Westcott Neighbourhood Development Plan 2017–2026
The original neighbourhood plan, for comparison with the updated version.
Open the original 2017–2026 Westcott NDP — PDF
Official record
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Westcott Village Forum inaugural meeting
The presentation and notes from the inaugural meeting at which working groups were established to prepare the updated plan.
Open the inaugural Forum presentation — PDF · meeting notes
Contemporaneous record
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Forum designation and neighbourhood-area approval
The formal designation of the Westcott Village Forum as a neighbourhood forum and approval of the neighbourhood area.
Open the Forum designation document — PDF
Official record
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Westcott Forum meeting presentation on Riverbank Surgery
The presentation given at the public Forum meeting on medical services and Riverbank.
Open the 24 June 2026 Forum presentation — PDF
Contemporaneous record
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Further information from the Westcott Village Forum
The Forum’s submission to the Examiner setting out its attempts to engage with the owner of Riverbank Surgery, reproducing the underlying correspondence in full. It records the Forum’s first direct contact with Dr Guilder as a text message sent on 29 July 2026, eight days after the focused consultation closed.
Published by Mole Valley District Council on its examination page. The copy held here is that document as published; telephone numbers and email addresses were already removed before publication.
Open the Forum’s further information — PDF, 10 pages, opens in a new tab
Third-party position As published by MVDC
MVDC & Examiner
The examination record and the Council’s formal decisions.
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Independent Examiner’s Report
Includes the Examiner’s findings on Riverbank Surgery and Proposed Modification PM6, which recommended deleting Riverbank from the list of safeguarded community assets. The findings on Riverbank are at paragraphs 4.12–4.14, on page 14.
Read the Examiner’s findings on Riverbank — page 14, paragraphs 4.12–4.14 — PDF · full report
Official record
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MVDC Decision Statement
Records MVDC’s decision not to accept PM6 at that stage and to undertake a focused consultation, on the basis that DMP’s letter provided information it considered new, germane and material.
Open MVDC’s Decision Statement — 2 June 2026 — PDF
Official record
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Focused Consultation Document — WNDP7 Community Assets
The six-week focused consultation asking whether the updated plan should safeguard Riverbank for its existing use under WNDP7. It closed at 5pm on 21 July 2026.
Open the focused-consultation document — PDF
Official record
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MVDC Statement of Consultation
MVDC’s compilation of the focused-consultation responses, which MVDC states has been referred for consideration by a newly appointed Examiner.
Copy to be published — a checked copy of MVDC’s published Statement of Consultation will be published here.
Official record
Historic planning records
The original permission and the 2021 change-of-use application.
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MO/89/1022 planning decision notice
The original planning permission for the conversion of the residential property then known as Peacehaven into a doctors’ surgery.
Copy to be published — to be published after checking for private addresses, signatures and contact details.
Official record
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MO/2021/2158 application and withdrawal records
The application to return Riverbank to residential use, and the record of its withdrawal. The application was withdrawn rather than refused.
Copy to be published — the former MVDC Causeway document links no longer give dependable direct access, so checked copies will be published here.
Official record
About the evidence
This website distinguishes Dr Guilder’s personal recollections from documentary records and the stated positions of other parties. Some legal and factual matters remain disputed. Where a source does not establish a point conclusively, the website aims to say so.
How sources are labelled
| Label | What it means |
|---|---|
| Contemporaneous record | A document created at or near the time of the events — village minutes, a magazine notice, a practice record or a project update. |
| Official record | An official planning, examination, council or government document. |
| Personal account | Dr Guilder’s own recollection, where the public documents do not independently establish that point. |
| Third-party position | The stated view of a body other than Dr Guilder or his family. |
| Disputed | A matter on which the parties disagree. |
| Not yet decided | Outstanding at the date this page was last reviewed. |
| Commercial evidence withheld | A point supported by private commercial material that is reviewed but not published here. |
Page updated: 26 August 2026. External links last checked: 26 August 2026.