CHAIRMAN POSITION - Nutfield Conservation Society

NUTFIELD CONSERVATION SOCIETY – CHAIRMAN POSITION

Some of you know our NCS Chairman, Peter Forbes has been out of action for a large part of this year - with hospital admissions for Marian and himself plus a succession of falls/accidents causing mobility issues. 

 He has managed to keep a handle on most NCS issues and has had huge support from Steve Hanks during this period - especially with monthly articles for the LINK.  NCS has completed another year at the end of September and our treasurer will be completing the 'end of year accounts' for audit. Our committee also finalised the Village Calendar submissions and Kent Sandiford kindly put the artwork together for the printers to produce supply of the 2023 calendars which are now on sale at Holborns and at Priory Farm Shop (as advertised in the LINK plus posters around the village). 

In view of Peter’s health issues being ongoing since his cancer operation at the end of 2019, he will be stepping down as Chairman at the end of this year and the Society will be looking for someone to take up this position next year and maybe seek additional committee members to assist with ongoing NCS research/responses etc. He is happy to continue as a committee member to assist as required and is happy to discuss any details regarding NCS.

If anyone would like to discuss the Chairman position or knows of anyone who may be interested please email at the NCS address below or contact Peter on 822811. The person should be a resident of Nutfield Parish.

The Chairman role has been extremely fulfilling and one which Peter advises has thoroughly enjoyed since taking this up over 10 years ago but, given his current situation and ongoing family commitments, we appreciate his need to step back and support NCS more from the wings.

Email: info@nutfieldconservationsociety.org.uk

Tel 822811

 

TANDRIDGE LOCAL PLAN

January 2023 update

Local Plan Update (LP)

The under-mentioned is a brief summary of item 5 of the Planning Policy Committee (PPC) meeting held  on 19 January 2023. NCS will continue to monitor how the Local Plan progresses:

 

Members may recall that the emerging plan was effectively  in stasis following the Government letter sent to the Planning Inspectorate in summer 2022.

Mr. Thurlow (Chief Planning Officer) reported that In December 2022 The Government circulated two more documents , a Ministerial Statement and Proposed Changes to the National Planning Policy  Framework (NPPF). He indicated that the three  documents make it clear that the (present) Government intends to radically amend the NPPF and  LP regulations.

Mr. Thurlow highlighted certain changes that will particularly affect Local Plans. 

The “Top-down directions” by the Secretary of State  for housing delivery numbers would be effectively discontinued . (This is relevant to TDC as the current imposed numbers are inexplicably high)

- Allocation of Green Belt land in order to meet housing needs will no longer be considered overriding in order to produce building numbers.

- The necessity to test soundness of LP’s will be discontinued

- Less supporting evidence will be required

- Emphasis on building density will be reduced - the priority will be to  ensure that any new building is within the character of the area.

 

Mr. Thurlow advised that an LP is essential to protect the District from random, speculative building developments. It is considered that the current uncertainty surrounding NPPF and LP regulations provides a window to progress the LP to the advantage of TDC. Specialist Planning Consultants have been retained and are assisting TDC. The PPC resolved to submit a letter of proposals to the 'LP Examining Inspector' in order  to progress the emerging LP this will include a reduction of the plan to a five year span. The consultants will assist in the drafting of the letter which will be circulated for agreement by the full PPC prior to submission.

 

The full PPC meeting can be viewed on a webcast available via the TDC website.

 

Stephen Hanks ( Vice-Chair)

www.nutfieldconservationsociety.org.uk

 

September 2022 update

NCS continue to monitor the TDC Planning Policy Committee meetings on this matter. The latest meeting took place on 22nd September. The following is a summary of the present situation - complete information can be viewed via the TDC website:

Members may recall that TDC have been reacting to the Inspector’s (post Inquiry) concerns and have commissioned consultants.

In accordance with The Inspectors requirements TDC have provided monthly progress reports.  They have conformed to an agreed schedule. The Government requires that all local authorities must have their plans approved by the Inspector by December 2023. The TDC schedule for completion will take them very close to this 2023 deadline. To date the Local Plan has cost TDC £3.1 million and they have a budget of £1.1 to complete the work in progress.

On 28th July the former Secretary of State, Greg Clark, wrote to the Chief Executive at the Planning Inspectorate (PINS). This letter directed Inspectors “not to conclude that local plans are unsound or recommend their withdrawal before a new prime minister is appointed, or until the department advises you otherwise”. The letter has introduced a significant degree of uncertainty regarding the Local Plan making process and advised that the government is “considering changes to the planning system". TDC officers expressed concerns that, notwithstanding the tight schedule of outstanding work on the emerging Local Plan, to proceed and spend significant amounts on the planned works would be financially imprudent.  The rationale being that any such changes may undermine or waste work  both completed and planned.

The officers therefore recommended: 

1. That letters are sent from the TDC Chief Executive to the Chief Planner at DLUHC and the Inspector examining the Local Plan;

2. TDC does not proceed with commissioning or undertaking further work for the time-being on the emerging Local Plan; and

3. The Interim Chief Planning Officer be authorised to commence work on a Site Allocations Development Plan Document(DPD)*

These recommendations were adopted.

*The DPD is contained in the existing Core Strategy and is intended to provide a “ hedge” against the uncertainty and allow TDC to proceed with planning within it’s current policy.

Calendar images received for Jubilee Celebrations

Gatwick Northern Runway Project

Gatwick have set out revised plans to bring their existing Emergency Runway into regular use alongside their Main Runway.

Regular use of this additional 'Northern' runway could allow Gatwick to serve 75 million passengers a year by 2038 although this development contradicts Government Climate Change plans over this period. Other elements of their plans include changed highway access to allow increased vehicle movements.

We objected to the previous plans to utilise the emergency runway in this manner and were pleased to see those Gatwick plans were rejected. This appears to be a modified attempt to achieve the same objective  and we shall be raising similar objections.

You can raise your own objections in any of the following ways                                   (deadline is 27th July 2022):

1. via website: gatwickairport.com/futureplans

2. by email: feedback@gatwickfutureplans.com

3. written comments (no stamp required) to: Freepost SEC NEWGATE UK LOCAL

4. for further details call Gatwick via 0800 038 3486 (Mon to Fri 9.30 - 5.30pm)

Evidence for revision of Surrey Hills AONB boundary

 PHOTOS USED IN SUBMISSION FOR REVISION OF SURREY HILLS AONB BOUNDARY

Moors Nature Reserve

Mercers Lake (previously a gravel quarry) now recreation centre and site for migrating birds

    

 

    Charman Cottage (1559) one of the oldest buildings in the hamlet of Nutfield Marsh

    Open meadowland on Nutfield Marsh

    Open farmland on Nutfield Marsh

    Wild area of Nutfield Marsh

    Pasture land on the restored area of Nutfield Marsh

    Church of St Peter & St Paul on edge of restored land

    Woodland in the regenerated area - following Fullers Earth extraction

    1971 aerial photo of Fullers Earth Works 

    Restored landscape (north of A25) following Fullers Earth extraction

    View of Priory Farm estate featuring Nutfield Priory

    Priory Farm Estate

    Fullers Wood Lane/ Byes Wood

    View south-west from Bower Hill Farm

    View of ridge from Brays Farm

    View east from Brays Footpath

    View south from Brays Footpath - shows Redhill Aerodrome green field site

    Southern slope of Greensand Ridge

    View of Little Cormongers farmland - featuring Holmsdale  House on ridge

    Ancient woodland along Greensand Ridge (top of Coopers Hill) rich with bluebells

    Wild area around Steners Hill

    View south from Steners Hill

    Steners Hill

    View of farmland south of Greensand Ridge

Brays Farm - Countryside Restoration Trust member

Brays Farm is a 52 Acre farm in South Nutfield and the land was part of the estate gifted to  countrysiderestorationtrust.com/brays-farm by the late John Collett who was passionate about sustainable farming and conservation issues.

The farm is now tenanted by Matthew Elphick and his partner Betsie who use many nature-friendly methods on the farm and hope to do even more in future to help wildlife - with the support of the Countryside Restoration Trust.

Matthew commented “We carry out a low-input style of farming - we’ve chosen dairy shorthorn cows because they are a good traditional breed that are hardy and will happily graze. You don’t have to grow lots of crops or feed them heavily for them to produce milk. We are going for quality rather than quantity, which means we don’t have to ask as much of our ground. We don’t put lots of fertiliser on the fields, we leave clumps of nettles here and there and we minimise the cutting of hedges. “We have a good population of swallows and little owls and kestrels on Brays Farm. We did have barn owls but a drought a couple of years ago hit them hard, so they haven’t nested since. We plan to plant more hedgerows, sow herbal leys and legumes to help pollinators and improve soil structure, and I would like to install nest boxes to encourage barn owls to settle on the farm again.”

Brays Farm is such an asset and residents are fortunate that this is continuing to add such rural value to the village. The farm also bring the added benefit of farm fresh foods - see the website Nutfielddairy/shop

TANDRIDGE LOCAL PLAN - update March 2022

March 2022:  NCS continue to monitor progress of the TDC Local Plan. The latest meeting of the Planning Policy Committee (PPC) took place on 10 March. Readers may recall that, following the Inquiry and expressions of concern from the Inspector regarding the viability of the plan, there has been an ongoing exchange of communication between TDC and the Inspector.  At this point TDC are proceeding with the plan as originally presented. It was clear from the meeting that it is by no means certain this approach will prevail.

Cliff Thurlow (TDC interim Chief Planning Officer) provided a report. In summary, the Inspector continues to express concerns and requires further work to assist him to make a final determination. The volume of work is very high and will demand significant resources (human and financial), from within TDC and via consultants. TDC will need to assess the resourcing issues and devise a suitable technical work programme on a critical path in advance of December 2023 (the deadline for government to adopt the local plan). Certain aspects of this are underway however TDC require clarifications from the Inspector regarding some of the issues raised. It is hoped that such clarification may reduce the potential workload. Regarding the garden community proposal, TDC are specifically seeking how far the Inspector requires them to go regarding the production of an area action plan in order to progress the plan for the South Godstone site.

Mr. Thurlow emphasised the point that the Inspector was likely to be very stringent and if he considers the plan is faltering he would recommend TDC withdraw it.  

A letter to the Inspector seeking the clarifications was sent TED54 and the Inspector has replied (ID21) to clarify his position.

The next meeting of the PPC is scheduled for 23 June. Full details of the meeting may be viewed on TDC website

February 2022: The Local Plan Inspector sent a new letter to the TDC about the Plan.  He once again stated that there is no certainty the Plan will be approved but that, if the Council wished to proceed and not withdraw its Plan, he will need additional information supplied to a strict timetable and with monthly updates on progress. The Council is now considering the options. NCS will continue to monitor developments. The Inspectors letter is at TED51

January 2022: NCS monitored the (additional) meeting of the Planning Policy Committee (PPC) on 5 January, held to consider the findings of the consultants retained to review junction 6 mitigations and to enable a response to the Local Plan Inspector's concerns. The consultant’s findings have identified a number of mitigation measures which National Highways and SCC have indicated appear appropriate - however there are funding and timing issues to be resolved. The PPC have sent a response to the Inspector on 6 January (seeTED50 ) along with the consultant’s findings and copies of communications with other agencies which can be found on the Tandridge website. TDC are now awaiting a response from the Inspector which will be considered at the next PPC meeting scheduled for 20 January 2022. NCS will monitor the meeting and report as appropriate. Clearly TDC are working to keep the current Local Plan alive - although we must be mindful that the J6/A22 issue was one of several concerns expressed by the Inspector - so his next response may well be very significant for the progress of TDC Local Plan.

July 2021: Tandridge wrote to the Inspector (TED47) to update him on the Council’s thoughts on how to progress the Local Plan Examination. They also provided him with a Statement which outlines the initial findings of the assessment of potential mitigation measures for Junction 6 of the M25.

June 2021: Tandridge sent a response outlining the progress of the high-level transport modelling work and the decision-making process TED46 Update to Inspector.