Chelsham & Farleigh Parish Council

The minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council of Chelsham & Farleigh held on Monday 7th June 2021 at 7:00pm at Farleigh Golf Club

Attendees: Cllr Jan Moore - Chairman Cllr Peter Cairns Cllr Lesley Brown Cllr Barbara Lincoln Cllr Neil Chambers Cllr Nancy Marsh Cllr Jeremy Pursehouse ( Parish & District Councillor) Cllr Becky Rush (County Councillor)

Mrs Maureen Gibbins - Parish Clerk & RFO ————————————————————————————————— M I N U T E S

1. Apologies for absence There was none

2. Declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary Interest by Councillors of personal pecuniary interests in matters on the agenda, the nature of any interests, and whether the member regards the interest to be prejudicial under the terms of the new Code of Conduct. Anyone with prejudicial interest must, unless an exception applies, or a dispensation has been issued, withdraw from the meeting. There was no specific declaration of interest although all the Councillors have an interest in the area due to living in the Parish

3. A period of ten minutes are available for the public to express a view or ask a question on relevant matters on the following agenda. There was four members of the public in attendance. One resident commented that the site notice for a planning application at Holt Wood had been erected 300 yards down the road by Holt Equestrian. The resident reported that 38 objections have been lodged against the planning application for Plot F at Holt Wood.

A representative from the Forest school updated the parish council on progress and the activities undertaken by the children who attend.

4. County and District Councillors Reports County Cllr Becky Rush - had a question for the representative from the Forest School regarding using the Old Boys Club for the activities and this will be followed up. Ledgers Road pot holes have been filled and the road is be reinstated on the SCC website. VAS posts have been ordered and the Chelsham & Farleigh element is being funded by local committee. The dates for VAS and Health and Safety training will be advised once known. Cllr Pursehouse enquired whether the individuals monitoring the VAS have to be parish councillors; Cllr Rush confirmed she would find out and report back. Action: Clerk will check the insurance implications if non parish councillors are assisting. Two planning applications relevant to Highways are Holt Wood and Heathview Cottage Cllr Rush will ascertain whether it is safe to enter and exit on Holt Wood. Holt Wood bridle ways/footpaths etc. - access to be reviewed with Chair and resident on 14th June. Cllr Chambers enquired whether access could be restricted which Cllr Rush confirmed she would ask SCC. Chelsham Road - surface dressing treatment last year has not been wearing as expected and will be redone in August. Church Lane, Chelsham had surface dressing last week. Query from resident regarding Old Farleigh Road and the big dips; Cllr Rush is undertaking a highways drive round to review reported issues.

District Cllr Jeremy Pursehouse - New administration for TDC which is the Independent, and Residents Alliance. Cllr Pursehouse is Chair of Housing and Cllr Allen is Vice Chair of Audit and Scrutiny. Main priority of joining OLRG is to sort out the planning department. There has been a licensing application from The Bull to extend the opening hours as shown: To extend opening hours from 10.00 – 23.30 Monday to Wednesday, 10.00 – 00.30 Thursday to Saturday, 12.00 – 23.00 Sunday to 08.00 – 23.30 Monday to Wednesday, 08.00 – 00.00 Thursday to Saturday, 08.00 – 22.30 Sunday. Local Plan is still with the Inspector and will not currently go through.

5. To approve the minutes of the council meetings held on 4th May 2021 Cllr Brown reported from the previous representative at library they have been there since 2014. The resident was not named. Cllr Chambers requested that item 11, item 3 CR6 Magazine read “It was agreed a more angled article is required to highlight the serious concerns relat- ing to Holt Wood”. Following the amendments the minutes were signed by the chairman.

6. Highview – there was nothing to report

7. Code of Conduct – there was no update available 8. Chelsham Common/Farleigh Common & Mill Common/Holt Wood • Forest school - Discussion ensued regarding using Mill Common and Bull Green for the Forest School. It was agreed Bull Green is further away from the road and has more tree coverage. Cllr Pursehouse de- clared an interest in the Forest School. The Councillors had no objec- tion to Mill Common or Bull Green being used for the Forest School however a litter pick would be required in advance. Action: Clerk to check insurance position if Mill Common is used. • Notice Boards - price to repair Farleigh notice board is £275. It was agreed the Clerk will obtain quotes for 2 to 3 notice boards made from recycled material. Action: Clerk • Bins for Chelsham Common. The Clerk will follow up with TDC Officer Jim Lewthwaite Action: Clerk • Litter Pick - Mill Common, insurance position to be clarified. Action: Clerk/Chairman to liaise regarding a date for the litter pick. • Farleigh Common - Cllr Pursehouse reported that a number of people have requested more gaps in the bunding. It was agreed this was not feasible as special flora would be disturbed. It was further agreed there are sufficient official gaps for the footpaths. • Farleigh Head Lease - Cllr Pursehouse emailed Nic Martlew and this will be followed up. • PR/Parish Profile - The brainstorming paper, which had been previously circulated, was discussed. o Parish Surgery - It was agreed to hold a Parish Council Surgery once a month for a trial period of 3 months and the venue to be approached is The Bull. Involvement of the County and District Councillors was agreed. Action: Clerk to liaise with The Bull. • Parish council newsletter/Parish News - It was agreed to produce the first one for circulation in September and all council- lors are requested to provide material for inclusion. Copies can be left at the library, golf club and The Bull; displayed on the parish notice board in addition being delivered to some residents. Action: Clerk/ALL • Your fund - general discussion ensued and it was agreed residents could be asked for suggestions via the parish newsletter, CR6, parish website and facebook. • The Pits – Concern was expressed regarding the state of the bridleway although it now appears to be better. • Bowls club – The club is not against the Parish Council using the rooms however, in the summer months there are many meetings. The Council it may be beneficial to hold the winter parish council meetings at the Bowls Club (£25 per booking) and the ones in the summer at St Marys (£35 per booking • Warlingham Park School – the ditch alongside the school grounds is being filled with garden rubbish. The Clerk has not received any response from communications she has sent to the school. It was agreed it is now appropriate to contact the Governors/Trustees. Action: Clerk

9. Emergency Plan – The draft plan should be ready for the September Council meeting.

10. Charity Report - Relief in Need was awarded an additional £6k. This money was divided equally amongst local schools and food banks along with laptops for school children.

11. Link and meeting with TDC - The available dates are 22nd, 23rd or 24th June. The Clerk will liaise with councillors and TDC. Action: Clerk

12. Planning Applications 12.1 TA/2021/779 Erection of single storey side extension, alterations to ground floor rear in association with loft extension over and new roof. Erection of tablet win- dow at first floor level and conversion of existing outbuildings for ancillary residential use. Changes to fenestration including removal/installation of windows/doors. North Lodge, Church Lane, Chelsham, Warlingham CR6 9PG Comment: In considering the application the Parish Council has found no material planning reasons for refusal

12.2 TA/2021/553 Demolition of existing side porch and erection of a single storey rear/side extension Farleigh End, Old Farleigh Road, Farleigh CR6 9PE Comment: In considering the application the Parish Council has found no material planning reasons for refusal

12.3 TA/2021/895/N Erection of two barns for the storage of hay and machinery in association with the agricultural use of the site (Prior Approval Application) Broombank Cottage, Beech Farm Road, Warlingham CR6 9QG Comment: The Parish Council objects to the erection of the barns due to the height and subsequent impact on the visual amenity. Concern was expressed regard- ing the necessity and requirement for the barns.

12.4 TA/2020/1831 Erection of 2 x dwellings with associated parking, refuse and cycle storage. Plot F, Church Lane, Warlingham CR6 9PG Comment: Holt Wood: Erection of two dwellings with associated parking, refuse and cycle storage, TA/2020/1831.

Context and Concerns.

Holt Wood has been a woodland for centuries, sitting in a rural area charac terized by its rich diversity of wildlife.

Since passing from Forestry Commission possession into the private ownership of Mr Martin Peniston-Bird in 1983 and later his son Simon, Holt Wood has acquired a lengthy and unfortunate history of differences arising from the protected status of the wood and also creeping development within it. This the parish council believes has harmed its existing character and openness, has prejudiced rights of way inside and around the wood and has impaired the visual amenity of the wood. As a result the parish council now believes that Holt Wood is under threat as protected Green Belt woodland in an Area of Great Landscape Value covered by a blanket TPO.

The parish council has strongly represented to District Council planning department and Surrey County Council the threats posed to Holt Wood in an effort to find a way of resolving this longstanding and worsening issue, and it has warned that further attempts to develop sections of the wood for housing or commercial use remain a possibility and would serve to irreversibly harm its character and wildlife.

For the sake of all concerned the parish council has come to the conclusion, and with this objection stresses in the strongest possible terms, that firmer restrictive measures are overdue to ensure the wood’s survival as it currently exists, and to preclude further costly and time-consuming disputes surrounding its future.

Having acquired it, Mr Simon Peniston-Bird later subdivided the wood into 11 plots that were variously sold off, with plot J of that sale comprising 7.4 acres parallel to Church Lane and backed by Ledger’s Wood, which is a Nature Reserve. The majority of old plot J was sold by a subsequent private owner to County Mayo Estates Limited, Dublin, who have broken it down into some 18 sale plots, most of which have been put on the market and sold. County Mayo Estates Limited currently retain a small number of plots (c, f, g, j, k), and plot F is the site of the present application to build two semi-detached two-bedroom dwellings as submitted by their client a Mr Ageel Ahmed.

The parish council understands that when under Forestry Commission own ership there were no residential buildings in the wood, and only one hut, but since then 7 soon to be 8 dwellings have been permitted in the wood. In 1996 the planning authority allowed temporary buildings within the Holt Wood for forestry and related training or recreational purposes, but these structures were to be removed once that function ceased (96/275).

Nevertheless, wooden workshops and stores were used as dwellings over a period of time and gained permission to be dwellings through a Certificate of Lawfulness in 2016 (2016/888). Garden Cottage, Woodland Cottage and Stable Cottage were then separately developed on the curtilage provided by these structures, with Stable and Garden cottages now standing on what was the old Forestry Commission carpark. Construction of Woodland Cottage was per mitted upon the public footpath 3c, which has led to a protracted dispute that the original 1996 regulations were intended to preclude inasmuch as they stated that a 10 metre wide ‘buffer zone’ should be maintained alongside the site facing Bridleway 3 and footpath 3c where no recreational activities or devel opment shall take place.

In 1998 an application was made for redundant offices within the forestry building called the Holt, now the Lodge, to be converted to a bedroom, living room and bathroom so that Holt Wood had a permanent presence in it for rea sons of ‘security’, which the planning authority rejected but which regrettably the inspector granted on appeal (98/1198). Despite the terms of the permission, the entire building was for a period of time used as a residence and gained a Certificate of Lawfulness (2011/468)

In 2010 the planning authority gave permission for an existing barn formerly used for forestry-related training and an adjoining office to be converted to a dwelling (2010/256 and 2011/1248). This single structure thereafter gained permission to be subdivided into three separate dwellings, namely the Larches, Oaklands and Orchard House (2015/2225).

Keepers Cottage, formerly the Cabin, was once a wooden forestry-related train ing building for which permission was sought and denied to be converted to residential use (2011/468). Once again a Certificate of Lawfulness was obtained permitting this building’s use as a residence following its occupation over a period of time (2016/59). A modern-built house now stands on this site.

Be that as it may, this persistent process coupled with the nature of the recent marketing of the plots parallel to Church Lane (see below) as well as the strip ping of plots A and B requiring a restocking notice to be issued, have combined to cause alarm in the parish council and among residents locally.

The parish council has done all it can to make plain to recent sellers and purchasers of the 18 plots in Holt Wood and generally to the public what restrictions apply to the wood (and others like it in the parish) by letters, emails, articles, notices and online. It has maintained contact with Council regarding this matter throughout. Surrey County Council has also written to sellers and purchasers regarding the above circumstances.

Objection.

o The parish council notes that paragraph 133 of the NPPF states that the funda- mental aim of Green Belt policy is to prevent urban sprawl or encroachment by keeping land permanently open, the essential characteristics of the Green Belt being its openness and permanence. • It further notes that Holt Wood is Green Belt in an Area of Great Landscape Value comprising Chalk Down with Woodland countryside, which is charac terized by a mosaic of woods and open fields containing a rich diversity of wildlife. The parish council stresses the need to protect the district’s landscape and countryside in accordance with CSP20 and CSP21. • Contrary to the application, plot F has never had development upon it and the parish council disputes that the development of two semi-detatched two-bed room dwellings on this site is necessary for woodland or forestry reasons. • The parish council therefore regards the proposed development as not permitted in the Green Belt. See DP10. • The parish council strongly disputes that there are any special circumstances that could justify development of the density, type and at the location proposed on this Green Belt site. See DP13. • Development of the proposed site would be unavoidably visible from Church Lane, and from adjacent public rights of way in and around the wood, espe cially footpath 3c. It would also impact on Ledger’s Wood to the rear of the plot, which is a Nature Reserve. • Consequently the proposed development would harm the amenity of the wood to those enjoying the countryside by walking or riding in or past it. Cycling and riding are both popular locally, and in this connection we observe that Bridle way 3 in the wood is part of the National Cycling Route 21. • Moreover, the verge along the front of all the plots facing Church Lane, in cluding plot F, is owned by Surrey County Council, who have stated that they are unlikely to permit its use by developers. • Footpath 3c borders the row of plots to the west and north, and Surrey County Council has determined that the definitive route of this footpath runs through a number of the plots to the east of the row. This public right of way must not be impeded in any way. • There is Bridleway 3 and National Cycling Route 21 at the eastern end of the row of plots, whose use by walkers, cyclists and riders for safe access and amenity makes them unsuitable for regular highway use by road traffic in a protected Green Belt woodland. • In addition, the western end of the plots is abutted by land owned by Tandridge District Council, which is also not available for access. • There is regular localized flooding within the immediate area of plot F from water draining off Church Lane into Holt Wood. • Holt Wood contains a number of protected species, such as bluebells, badgers, bats, owls and deer. Development would be inconsistent with their protection and that of the habitat of which they are a part. It would harm the environment locally, and degrade the wood as habitat for its existing species, many of which would be disturbed by increased noise, light and other activities arising from residential development. • Holt Wood is subject to a Forestry Commission licence, and residential development in that context appears inconsistent not only with the terms of this licence but also with general guidance issued by the Forestry Commission regarding the management and protection of ancient woodland. We note in this regard that subsequent to their recent sale two sites in the wood, plots A and B, have already been stripped of their tree cover requiring a restocking notice to be issued. Similarly, Tandridge District Council has declared a climate emer gency and pledged to be carbon neutral by 2030, which praiseworthy aims will not be served by permitting development of sensitive Green Belt woodland like Holt Wood. See DP19 of TLP pt 2. • We question whether there is access to electricity, gas and sewerage services for the proposed site. • Contrary to claims by the applicant that there are good transport links in the immediate area, there are no bus stops on Church Lane, and walking to the nearest one at Greatpark would be along wooded lanes without pavements. Moreover, the claim that train station is in proximity to the wood is simply not accurate. Holt Wood and the countryside in its area is characterized by its rural remoteness from such services, meaning that in creased development would unavoidably increase car use and with it pollution. We therefore also note a conflict with CSP1, which requires new development to be located at existing built-up areas so as, among other things, to promote sustainable travel patterns. • We further note the winding, wooded, unlit nature of Church Lane and the hazards of increased traffic along it, bearing in mind that Holt Wood faces across part of Church Lane a farm and stables, which means that there is high local use of the road by horse riders and slow traffic. The parish council there fore has reservations as to the road safety implications of further development within and around Holt Wood, DP5 of TLP pt 2. • We express concern that there is a scheduled earthwork monument in Holt Wood, both as to its protection and also its current condition and treatment. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1005935 • The parish council believes that the cleared field or former paddock area lying within the plots in question should be woodland. It is shown as ‘Wild Green’ in the application Block Plan for plot F, but it would appear that the ground was cleared by a previous named owner despite the terms of the Forestry Commission licence. The council expresses concern at any plan to construct a drive lined with bike and bin sheds through the surviving TPOs fronting this (or any other similar) site in Holt Wood.

In light of the above Parish Council objects in the strongest possible terms to the present application to develop semi-detached housing in Holt Wood.

The parish council further adds that while it has been suggested in some quarters that there are sufficient restrictions in place to protect Holt Wood, the unsatisfactory historical pattern of creeping development in this Green Belt wood as well as the current difficulties surrounding it together indicate to us that this is no longer the case.

As an identified problem area in our parish and district about which a series of difficulties and concerns have over a considerable time been raised, it seems to the parish council quite reasonable and indeed now urgent to request that the protection afforded Holt Wood be reviewed as to its rigour and effectiveness (including the Forestry Commission licence) and that wherever possible this protection be strengthened, in particular with the introduction of, in our view, a justified Article 4 Directive. In making this request we seek to avoid further and persistent disputes as well about Holt Wood’s future.

Should the Officer be minded to approve the application Cllr Jeremy Pursehouse will request it is taken to committee.

12.5 TA/2021/897 Continued use of building and forecourt for vehicle valeting and storage. (Certificate of Lawfulness for Existing Use or Development) Allesley Farm, Farleigh Road, Warlingham CR6 9PE Comment: The Parish Council strongly objects to this application as it is in the green belt and conservation area in addition to the following serious concerns: The Parish Council wish to bring to your attention that there is a substantial enterprise known as SVC Specialist Vehicles operating what has grown to be a major concern from the above premises. The stock of the vehicles has expanded considerably since the company started trading from this property after the sale of their previous premises in July 2018, to a point where they have expanded the footprint of the area where the vehicles are being stored by formation of a hardstanding in the paddock/field immediately to the rear of Allesley Farm. This area alone contains, Lorries, vans and vehicles numbering 20 plus. We refer you to the company has a website. There is also a plethora of other vehicles parked around the footprint of the stables and existing hard standings all of which are in the Conservation Area of Great Farleigh Green and the Greenbelt land that extends past that. Background: SVC Specialist Vehicles website states that “Their new showroom is based on Allesley Farm in Warlingham. The business was founded in 1978, SVC Specialist Vehicles was formerly known as Surrey Van Centre”. (The business was situated formerly along the majority of the north side of Thornton Heath Pond, Road, CR7 6AW. This land was sold on 12th July 2018 to a housing developer/association for “2.3 million). https://themovemarket.com/tools/proper typrices/777-london- road-thornton-heath-cr7-6aw https://www.svcsurrey.com/ Their website states “In recent years we have moved premises and changed names to SVC Specialist Vehicles”. So, when the original sales front was sold in July 2018 it subsequently moved to Allesley Farm on Farleigh Common. The farm was used prior to 2018 for residential use; the surrounding paddocks/fields were and still are to a lesser extent for horse grazing. There were kennels, but these were closed around 5 or more years ago. Having checked the council Planning Portal we can find no evidence that any appropriate Planning Permission has been sought for the running of such an enterprise. There has been extreme tolerance up until now in not raising our concerns for what was in its formative stages of relocation to Farleigh a more modest opera tion with vehicles certainly contained within the newly constructed showroom and or scattered around the hardstanding’s of the footprint and recently infilled swimming pool area. However, the final straw has come having been advised that a third party Messrs. Hot Lips Skips Ltd have recently applied for a transport license to operate a skip lorry out of this site, (this has just been withdrawn on 18/2/21), presumably with the express permission of the owners of the property/business the Allen’s. In addition, the rapid expansion of the business and the sheer number of vehicles stored on the site over the past year, including when the hardstanding at the rear was constructed, has brought the business to an unacceptable size. On occasions there is a car transporter parked on the Old Farleigh Road either delivering or collecting cars which causes an obstruction on the road and there is now regular traffic to and from Allesley Farm either from operatives and/or customers, suppliers etc. In addition, there is noise from operatives carrying out repairs on the vehicles and increased emissions from the vehicles in connection with the business.

12.6 TA/2021/928 Erection of first floor rear extension 39 Tower Place, Chelsham, Warlingham CR6 9PW Comment: In considering the application the Parish Council has found no material planning reasons for refusal

12.7 TA/2021/367 Erection of single storey rear extension and internal alterations Oaklands, The Holt, Chelsham, Warlingham CR6 9PG Comment: In considering the application the Parish Council has found no material planning reasons for refusal

12.8 Crematorium - There was nothing to update at present

13. Covid-19 Warlingham, Chelsham & Farleigh - No more shops or errands. One goodwill family have had essentials bought plus uniform for when the lad starts in September. We are now veering more into Forest School type stuff. We have also purchased an electronic bingo machine for the folks up at The Court as theirs broke. A thank you event for the volunteers is being arranged and funding donations have been offered

14. Finance - i) Payment of invoices - approved for payment Mrs M Gibbins Clerk May Salary £ 346.74 Mrs M Gibbins Telephone £ 13.24 David Marden Spinner Disk for Salt Spreader £ 166.03 BHIB Council Annual Insurance £ 317.98 Vision ICT SSL Certificate renewal £ 60.00 Farleigh Golf Club Venue hire £ 50.00

Next agenda Sign on Chelsham common -

Trees - Ash trees, Chelsham Road, two quotes received. Clerk to liaise with War- lingham Clerk

Queens jubilee - the big lunch

Meeting closed at 21:11