Local people in Ashtead expressed concerns after Mole Valley District Council submitted a "quasi" planning application for a Certificate of Alternative Use of the Grove Road car park in Ashtead. The planning application includes use of the land for residential purposes. However the council says that it has no wish to build housing. The matter has been submitted as part of negotiations with Thames Water.

The water company are due to pay the council compensation for the loss of two car parking spaces resulting from new equipment they have installed in the car park.

Thames water had already installed a pumping kit, but the machinery took up 2 car spaces, which now cannot be used. 

Local resident, Alex Burrows said:-

"I’m glad to hear that no houses are to be built on Grove Road car park, particularly as Ashtead is under pressure from new builds. We now have reassurance from Mole Valley that they aren’t suddenly going to put up new houses on this site. The council is having a valuation debate with Thames water and needs to show that the alternate use of the site is residential.  Everyone welcomes the improved drainage in the wider area.  It just takes up MVDC car parking spaces and the council wants payment for the land."