East Surrey Rural Tourism Co-operation Project Extracts for Tandridge District Report May 2018 Draft Intentionally blank Draft Introduction This report contains information and research gathered as a result of the East Surrey Rural Tourism Co-operation Project that can be particularly identified as being directly relevant to Tandridge District. It is not comprehensive or definitive and to a degree still unedited. This report covers:- Planning and Economic Policies at national, regional and local level Economic Impact of Tourism modelling including results of a recent study by the Gatwick Growth Board Accommodation Stock Audit – for all the district and the designated rural area only Visitor Attractions and ‘Attractor’ sites and facilities’ Market Trends and Opportunities Snapshot Food & Drink – article by US Blogger Case Studies – Botley Hill Farmhouse and Lingfield Park Racecourse and Resort It does not contain the full recommendations of the Destination Management Plans as these are still subject to adoption and approval by the East Surrey Districts and Boroughs and the proposed Destination Management Partnership. However, without pre-empting any of the outcomes of the final stages of the DMP process, some key findings that may help the planning debate are: Tandridge seems to have more potential to develop its rural visitor economy if only when compared to the other three districts in the DMP and certainly in the light of projected market trends. The Tandrige visitor market is dominated by day trips which has issues with regard to economic and environmental sustainability. There would certainly appear to be a lack of visitor accommodation – for example there is no evidence of any self-catering accommodation stock. The provision of appropriate, good quality accommodation is key to creating additional value. Also in light of the potential strategic support and growth of Gatwick Airport the area needs to be prepared to appeal to and accommodate more overseas visitors, whose value is already greater than the domestic overnight visitor. In view of the clear needDraft to protect the Green Belt and other landscape designations a strategic principle of the plan could be to recommend only small scale development and where that could take place. There are lots of opportunities in rural areas at locations such visitor attractions, golf courses, fishing lakes, equestrian centres, country pubs, farm diversifications and ’pop-up’ countryside pursuits. Walking and Cycling is another growth area but there appears to be lots of provision albeit not necessarily well maintained in parts. There is potential to develop food and drink in association with the other districts and probably the rest of Surrey or under the Surrey Hills brand. The blog by the US travel writer later in this report illustrates how food and drink can be a powerful part of the experience in Tandridge. The Surrey Hills is coming out as potentially the strongest brand for the whole area ( and possible Surrey) and will need consideration with regard to Partnership development. For further enquiries please contact Planning and Economic Policies National Planning Policy Framework The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out government's planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied. It acts as guidance for local planning authorities and decision-takers, both in drawing up plans and making decisions about planning applications. The NPPF identifies several areas that are directly relevant to this DMP: One of the Core Planning Principles is ‘to take account of the different roles and character of different areas, promoting the vitality of our main urban areas, protecting the Green Belts around them, recognising the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside and supporting thriving rural communities within it’ Rural Visitor Economy - The NPPF sets out that local and neighbourhood plans should “Support sustainable rural tourism and leisure developments that benefit businesses in rural areas, communities and visitors, and which respect the character of the countryside. This should include supporting the provision and expansion of tourist and visitor facilities in appropriate locations where identified needs are not met by existing facilities in rural service centres”. Sustainable Transport – one of the core planning principles is that the planning system should actively manage patterns of growth to make the fullest possible use of public transport, walking and cycling, and focus significant development in sustainable locations. Coast to Capital LEP Rural Statement 2016 In July 2016, Coast to Capital, the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), which covers the East Surrey area, produced a Rural Statement. It particularly recognised the Tourism and Hospitality sector as an important contributor to the prosperity of the area. The major advantages of the area that would support further growth of the rural visitor economy are identified as the naturalDraft landscapes and environment, the proximity to London, the presence of Gatwick Airport and fast access to the continent. The statement notes that the local authority districts with the largest shares of rurally-based tourism and recreation businesses are Chichester, Horsham, Arun, Tandridge, Mole Valley and Lewes. Within the C2C area the Statement also picks out sub sectors that have various strengths:- “The relatively strong presence of sports-related employment indicates the growing popularity of Coast to Capital as a destination for “active tourism” such as cycling, walking and equestrian. Cycling and walking are particularly popular with day visitors due to the availability of a large amount of superb countryside in easy reach of London much of it with protected status and/or public access. Cycling is an increasingly important leisure activity in the area and the Surrey Hills AONB is now a national centre for both on and off-road cycling with many high-profile events such as the PrudentialRide London event which is broadcast in 76 countries. Much more could be done to maximise the economic benefits of cycling to the area and to promote it nationally and internationally.” ‘Viticulture and brewing are rapidly growing industries and include vineyards of international standing……Catering is clearly very important to the rural tourism sector and the area contains a relatively large number of country house hotels offering dining, country pubs and restaurants, many of which are of a high standard’ Generally, the Rural Statement calls for strategies and interventions that would benefit a number of rural visitor economy subsectors including: o Active tourism (large parts of the South Downs Way the North Downs Way and the Pilgrims’ Way go through Coast to Capital) o Food and drink-related tourism o Themed attractions - historic houses, market towns, or cultural activities and events which could be linked together and make a joined-up offer, possibly including accommodation o Encouraging visitors to events to also visit the local area o Developing more business-related tourism Tandridge Strategies Tandridge is a predominantly rural district - about 94% of the area is Green Belt. There are three main built up areas: Caterham; Warlingham/Whyteleafe in the north and Oxted/Hurst Green/Limpsfield just south of the M25 motorway. There are two larger rural settlements (that is excluded from the Green Belt) Lingfield in the south-east and Smallfield in the south-west. There are also a number of villages and some other smaller settlements and areas of sporadic development in the Green Belt. The central part of Woldingham is also excluded from the Green Belt and forms a “detached” built up area. There are two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the Surrey Hills AONB in the north and the High Weald AONB in the south-east and four main character areas – the North Downs, Greensand Ridge, the Low Weald and the High Weald. The Tandridge District Council Core Strategy was adopted in 2008 for the period up until 2026 and has a specific section on its Rural Strategy that aims to ‘promote a sustainable rural economy, to eliminate any socialDraft disadvantages whilst at the same time conserving the character and environment of the countryside and villages.’ In the consultation process for the Core Strategy consultees were asked to rank in importance the main issues facing the District. The top two issues were:- ‘Retention of the Green Belt’ including a rationale that stated ‘it provides opportunities for access to the countryside and outdoor recreation for the population of London.’ ‘Protection of the countryside and in particular landscapes of national importance’ i.e. the Surrey Hills and High Weald AONBs. At this time, however, tourism was not seen as particularly important for the rural areas of Tandridge although it was recognised that there are a ‘small number of places that attract mainly day visitors’ and ‘The countryside is itself an attraction with plenty of opportunities for walking’. The strategy aims to support improved access to and enjoyment of the countryside where possible. It specifically points towards supporting projects within the Surrey Hills AONB Management Plan, where resources permit, to improve access to and enjoyment of the countryside. There is a general supportive approach to appropriate development in rural settlements that would assist in ‘creating thriving and sustainable rural communities.’ In terms of farm diversification, the strategy supports a balanced approach