Disruption to our usual services
Some of the services provided by the Historic Environment Record (HER) team are currently disrupted due to our recent office move. We have limited access to office-based resources (grey literature, published materials, and the physical archive) so many not be able to fulfil enquiries that require such resources. It may also be more difficult than usual to arrange an in-person visit to the HER. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
The HER remains contactable, and can continue offering most of its usual search and enquiry services with some limitations to the information we are able to access.
Mole Valley District Council and Tandridge District Council require that some planning applications include a Heritage Statement as part of their Local Validation Requirements. The first stage of this process is to consult the Surrey Historic Environment Record (HER) to assess whether the proposal is likely to affect any heritage assets.
Consulting the HER will provide the applicant with the raw HER data showing whether there are any heritage assets on or within 100 metres of the development site. Searches are classified as positive or negative depending on whether there are recorded heritage assets present. The HER data are not interpreted at this stage. If the search is positive (for example there are heritage assets on or lying close to the development site) then the applicant will need to get the information interpreted and, based on that, may be required to produce a heritage statement.
Whether the search is positive or negative, a copy of the results email which contains a unique HER reference number, together with any attachments and the associated plan showing the extent of the site on which the search was based, should be submitted to the relevant District council with an application, together with the completed Local Validation Requirements Checklist.
Please note that in providing this information the HER makes no judgement regarding the necessity for, or scope of, any further statement which may be required to meet the validation requirements of the relevant District council. Consult the 'local validation requirements' on the relevant council's website for further guidance:
- Local validation requirements (Mole Valley District Council website)
- Local validation requirements (Tandridge District Council website)
Please note that a charge is made for this HER service. As of 1 April 2026 the charges will be as follows:
- Priority search (results returned within two working days): £130.50 + VAT.
- Standard search (results returned within 5 to 10 working days): £86 + VAT.
From 01 April 2025 until 31 March 2026, the charges are as follows:
- Priority search (results returned within two working days): £125.50 + VAT.
- Standard search (results returned within 5 to 10 working days): £82.50 + VAT.
HER invoices are raised on a monthly basis, so an invoice will be sent to the enquirer after the end of the month in which the search was completed.
To submit an HER search to fulfil planning requirements click on the link to the form below. Once completed, return along with a site location plan to her@surreycc.gov.uk. Please attach all files directly to the email; we are unable to receive compressed files. Search requests should not be submitted by post. The Priority and Standard timescales for the supply of search results begin following confirmation of requirements, not the submission of a search request form.
Files available to download
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Mole Valley and Tandridge local validation requirement HER search form (PDF)
Request searches from Surrey Historic Environment Record for fulfilment of Tandridge and Mole Valley validation requirements as part of planning applications