A village with an unusual pronunciation
Despite being spelled the same as several other English place names, Leigh is pronounced 'Lye' locally, a detail that catches out plenty of first-time visitors.
Satellite hamlets rather than one centre
Beyond the village itself, Leigh's parish takes in a handful of small clustered hamlets, including Nalderswood, Dawesgreen, Bunce Common and Shellwood Cross, each with only a few houses rather than any shops or amenities of their own.
Mole Valley's rural southern edge
Leigh sits within Mole Valley District Council, in the more rural southern part of the district compared with the busier towns closer to Reigate.
Frequently asked questions
How is Leigh pronounced?+
Lye, not Lee, a local pronunciation that differs from how the spelling might suggest.
Which council covers Leigh?+
Mole Valley District Council, a separate authority from Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, which covers Reigate.
Nearby areas
Services
Useful local links
- Reigate and Banstead Borough Council – Planning — The planning authority covering Reigate itself, along with Redhill, Horley, Banstead and several nearby villages.
- Mole Valley District Council – Do I need planning permission — The planning authority covering Dorking, Ashtead, Leatherhead and several villages southwest of Reigate.
- Epsom and Ewell Borough Council – Planning permission — The planning authority covering Epsom, a separate borough from Reigate and Banstead.
- Tandridge District Council – Planning and building — The planning authority covering Caterham, Nutfield and South Nutfield.
- GOV.UK – Planning permission: when you need it — Government guidance on when planning permission is required in England and Wales.
- GOV.UK – Party Wall etc. Act 1996 guidance — Government guidance on notifying neighbours and resolving disputes over shared or boundary walls, relevant to attached garage conversions and extensions.
- Planning Portal – Garage conversion — National guidance on when planning permission is needed for a garage conversion in England.