Bookham Residents Association Response to Mole Valley ...

1 Bookham Residents Association Response to Mole Valley district council green belt consultation for Bookham . GENERAL. Bookham is seen to cover the communities of Great and Little Bookham . This report will use the concept of separate but related communities rather than a single community. Planning Period to 2026. This period is accepted but it is understood that there is a need for a subsequent Plan. Brownfield Sites Mole Valley district council should ensure that any Brownfield sites and potential redevelopments in Bookham be prioritised for development prior to the use of green belt land. New Traveller Sites The scattering of small unit Traveller Sites across the district is not seen as a reasonable solution to meet the wishes of the Traveller Community be to be regarded as a separate community which suggests concentration into community groups. Release of green belt Sites The Bookham Residents Association (BRA) has a preference not to relinquish green belt land which is considered highly controversial and especially to merely tidy up green belt land and boundaries, an action that can raise expectations that new boundaries can be readily changed We are aware of the requirement placed on the Mole Valley district council by Government and that a refusal to release green belt land to meet Housing Need is not acceptable.

2 In these circumstances the BRA would wish to propose a set of conditions that should be adopted to determine the priority preference for release of sites in the Bookham communities if designated by the Mole Valley district council . Namely that:- A The physical structure of our communities is maintained and not allowed to sprawl into the surrounding valued landscape B The merging of identifiable communities with neighbouring conurbations must be resisted as well as an increase of urbanisation of our rural environment. In this respect we would make the point that the Mole Valley district council should recognise Little Bookham and Great Bookham as two communities. Careful consideration must also be taken of any impact arising from green belt Housing proposals made by Guildford Borough council , with specific reference to proposals for the development in Effingham Parish at the Howard of Effingham secondary school. C The close communities are to be maintained as sustainable entities, ideally with a priority development of homes to be within easy access of the Bookham retail centre, say 800 metres.

3 D Any development must be made taking into account and supporting infrastructure enhancements to meet increased demands on roads, drainage, flood prevention, schools, GP surgery facilities, retail centre parking etc. Infill development in our Bookham communities over the last forty years has been supported by minimal infrastructure development, placing pressure on the infrastructure services. The latest flooding in Bookham , has been caused by springs not flood plain activity and as such is difficult to manage from any individual developers viewpoint. Detailed study and evaluation of any spring line and its consequences must be undertaken independently before any development is approved. E Any development should take into account needs which are defined in the forthcoming Neighbourhood Development Plan as well as delivering small properties as identified in an earlier Bookham Vision Survey. The need was identified for small affordable accommodation for young families as well as older downsizers and providing for the elderly.

4 These requirements are to redress the demographic imbalance of our communities which was identified in Surrey Uncovered as getting progressively older. F There are many environmental and wildlife issues impacting the various areas of our green belt any development should be rigorously examined for compliance with this special protection status. The Thames Basin Special Protection Area (SPA). significantly extends into the Mole Valley area as far as Bookham Common where it approaches the built up areas of our communities. DETAILED SITE ASSESSMENTS. Generally the Assessments assigned by the district council are seen as acceptable. The one exception is the Encroachment Assessment of Site BK02 where Encroachment is seen as Significant rather than Moderate as set by the district council . Development at this site would encourage expansion of the Community Build Area across the existing Northern Boundary set by the railway line. Based on the Principles defined above, the following Comments are made to be taken into account should the Bookham sites being consulted on be considered for green belt housing release.

5 SITES Group A. BK05d Plot 6 Rectory Lane Homes Proposed 2-3. BK13 Land to rear of Hunters Moon Homes Proposed 4. BK14 Land to west of Atwood Homes Proposed 19. BK15 Land to rear of Longheath Drive Homes Proposed 5-8. BK18 Land rear of 261 Lower Road Homes Proposed 15-20. Comment There is no advantage to the communities in considering the release of land at the above sites, where a small number of properties are proposed, as there will be: (a) an inability to meet the requirement of the communities for dwellings of the size, mix and distance from the retail centre, and (b) an uncertain contribution to infrastructure enhancements. SITES Group B. BK02 Land off the Approach, north of the railway Homes proposed 10-25. BK04 Land at Great Bookham Equestrian Centre Homes Proposed 200-350. BK05c Land North of Guildford Road Homes Proposed 625. BK12 Preston Farm Homes Proposed 315. Comment These sites, as assessed by Mole Valley district council as causing Significant Encroachment which we agree with.

6 They should be resisted for development as breaking the principle of maintaining the integrity and sustainability of our communities. The scale of development proposed, at a distance from the retail centre, is seen to put significant stress on existing infrastructure resources. SITES Group C. BK05a Northern part of Bookham Fields Care Home/Homes Proposed 98. BK05b Southern part of Bookham Fields Homes Proposed 80. Comment Both sites assessed as Moderate in classification and meet the desired condition of location to Bookham retail centre. Both sites are of Medium development size offering the benefits of comprehensive development but still raise significant concerns regarding access and infrastructure pressure. SITE Group D. BK22 Preston Cross Hotel Proposed 70 Bed Nursing Home Comment Community needs were identified as Retirement Flats or other Residential Home accommodation rather than a Nursing Home. There are concerns at the potential size of any building in this conservation area, closing the gap between the two communities, encroachment into green belt and for the increased pressure on roads and infrastructure at this location.

7 27th February 2014.