SURREY HILLS MANAGEMENT PLAN 2020 - 2025
Core Partners Executive Summary
2nd THE DELIVERY STRATEGY Landscape to be EXECUTIVE SUMMARY designated an Although the fundamental purpose of the Management Plan is to encourage co-ordinated action AONB in England This is the Executive Summary that sets out the vision and the policy framework for the Surrey Hills by all organisations, agencies and individuals, the Surrey Hills AONB Board has established a in 1958 AONB. The full version of the AONB Management Plan is available at www surreyhillsboard.org. Surrey Hills group of organisations (the Surrey Hills Family) to help support the delivery of the AONB Management Plan. This will be achieved through growing the membership and activity of ABOUT THE MANAGEMENT PLAN the Society; growing the business sector’s involvement and revenue streams through Surrey Hills Enterprises; and generating income through the Surrey Hills Trust Fund in support of the 25% Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are designated by the Government for the purpose of implementation of the AONB Management Plan. of land in ensuring that the special qualities of the finest landscapes in England, Wales and Northern Surrey Ireland are conserved and enhanced. The primary purpose of AONB designation is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area, as confirmed by Section 82 of the Countryside and THE SURREY HILLS FAMILY COLLABORATIVE MODEL Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW Act). The Family Delivery Plan will be monitored through quarterly meetings of the Surrey Hills AONB Advisory Partners The Surrey Hills AONB Management Plan sets out the policy framework for the Surrey Hills. Local Board and annual meetings of the Surrey Hills Community Forum. A formal review of the Delivery 1of 15% AONBs in of land cover Authorities have a statutory duty to adopt the plan and public bodies must have a duty of regard Plan will inform the preparation of a new AONB Management Plan (2025 – 2030). nationally 34 England to the purposes of AONB designation and the Management Plan policies. There are also a wide range of local organisations and individuals that have an interest in 2nd the future well-being of the Surrey Hills, which includes landowners, land managers, local The Surrey Hills Family businesses, residents and visitors. It is intended that the AONB Management Plan will lead to Collaborative Model Landscape to be designated an greater understanding of the designation, a commitment to delivering the strategy and the AONB in England ability to hold public bodies to account in exercising their duty of regard to the AONB designation. in 1958 THE VISION Given the impact of climate change, the vision for the Surrey Hills recognises that the landscape Delivery Partners will change but it needs to ensure that it changes in a way that conserves and enhances its special 25% qualities. In doing so, it also needs to maintain the social and economic viability of the Surrey Hills of land in Surrey in a sustainable manner. The following long term vision statement sets the context and guides the Management Plan policies:
The Surrey Hills AONB is recognised as a national asset in which its natural and of 15% 1 AONBs in of land cover cultural resources are managed in an attractive landscape mosaic of farmland, 34 England nationally Contact Details woodland, heaths, downs and commons. It provides opportunities for business Warren Farm Barns, enterprise and for all to enjoy and appreciate its natural beauty for their health Headley Lane, Mickleham, Surrey RH5 6DG and well-being. Telephone: 01372 220653 For more information on the Surrey Hills AONB Management Plan Email: [email protected] please contact the Surrey Hills AONB Unit or visit www.surreyhillsboard.org www.surreyhills.org www.surreyhills.org www.surreyhills.org AGRICULTURE WOODLAND, HEDGEROWS AND BIODIVERSITY AND WATER RESOURCES CULTURAL HERITAGE RECREATION, HEALTH AND WELLBEING PLANNING TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC THE ECONOMY, TOURISM AND VETERAN TREES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Agriculture plays a positive role in maintaining the Woodlands, hedgerows and veteran trees are sustainably The biodiversity and water resources of the Surrey The cultural heritage that defines the distinctive sense The Surrey Hills will be enjoyed and cherished as an New development enhances local character and the Transport measures reinforce the rural character of The Surrey Hills is an attractive and sustainable place outstanding and diverse character of the Surrey Hills. managed and linked to conserve and enhance the Hills are conserved and enhanced. of place within the Surrey Hills is recorded, protected, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for its own intrinsic environmental quality of its nationally important setting. the area and provide for a range of safe and to live, work and invest. landscape, ecological, archaeological and recreational managed and celebrated. qualities and in ways that contribute to people’s health sustainable travel alternatives. Agriculture Management Policies: value of the wider Surrey Hills landscape. Biodiversity Management Policies: and wellbeing. Planning Management Policies: The Economy, Tourism and Community Cultural Heritage Management Policies: Traffic and Transport Management Policies: Development Policies: B1 Existing designated sites (SSSIs, SPAs & SACs) p1 In balancing different considerations associated F1 Farming as a viable and sustainable enterprise, Woodland Management Policies: Recreation, Health and Wellbeing Management within the AONB will be conserved, enhanced & HC1 A historic perspective of how the AONB with determining planning applications and TT1 Measures to ensure opportunities for all CE1 The Surrey Hills will be promoted as a destination within and adjacent to the AONB, will be supported Plan Policies: W1 Woodland owners and managers will be supported managed by partners with the support of Natural landscape has evolved will be promoted, development plan land allocations, great weight members of society to access the Surrey Hills for sustainable tourism and recreation. through the development of initiatives consistent to manage all woodlands, hedgerows and veteran England, to ensure that all such sites are brought including its traditions, industries, buildings RT1 Visitors and facilities that enhance people’s health, will be attached to any adverse impact that a will be supported. with good management of land, make a positive trees that contribute to the landscape character. into or maintained in ‘favourable’ condition. and settlement patterns. enjoyment and understanding of the Surrey Hills development proposal would have on the amenity, CE2 Initiatives that promote and market high contribution to increasing biodiversity and The importance of designated sites and the will be encouraged, whilst conserving or landscape and scenic beauty of the AONB and the TT2 The impact of development proposals on the quality Surrey Hills produce and services will conserving or enhancing landscape character. W2 Markets for timber and other forest products will need for their protection and management will HC2 Heritage assets, including historic buildings, enhancing the landscape character and need for its enhancement. surrounding Surrey Hills road network, including be supported. be identified, promoted and supported in order be promoted to the wider AONB community archaeological sites and historic parks biodiversity. any highway mitigation measures, will be given F2 The availability of advice and financial assistance to generate incomes to help sustain appropriate through information and awareness campaigns. and gardens, will be conserved, managed p2 Development will respect the special landscape great weight when assessing the acceptability of CE3 The provision and retention of affordable through the Government’s Environmental Land woodland management. and recorded. RT2 Information will be made accessible for a diverse character of the locality, giving particular attention the development. housing for local people and key workers Management schemes will be designed to B2 Important habitats, such as chalk grassland range of potential visitors in order to foster a to potential impacts on ridgelines, public views and will be supported. encourage sustainable land management W3 The wider importance of trees and woodlands and and heathland, will be managed and used in HC3 Development proposals will have due regard to greater understanding and enjoyment of the tranquility. The proposed use and colour of external TT3 Design and enhancement of the rural road practices alongside the maintenance and the need for their management, including disease ways that conserve and enhance their nature the locally distinctive character of rural Surrey Hills AONB. building materials will be strictly controlled to network will conserve and enhance the AONB to CE4 Initiatives that result in affordable and reliable enhancement of traditional landscape features. community transport and infrastructure for control and bio-security, will be promoted through conservation value. settlements and the setting of historic buildings.M25 harmonize within their related landscape and influence the behaviour of road users for public
the provision of advice, information on grant A3046 safety and enjoyment. recreation, employment and access to local A30 Ashford RT3 Significant viewpoints and vistas will be identified, particularly to avoid buildings being incongruous. F3 Farm diversification schemes will be supported A328 schemes and public awareness campaigns. B3 Opportunities will be taken to restore, extend HC4 The rich artistic traditions of the Surrey Hills Staineswill services will be supported. Egham Staines A308 conserved and enhanced. In remoter locations, with darker skies, development where they help to maintain and enhance the 1 Sunbury and link habitats for nature conservation, and be promoted. New artistic interpretationsB388 of theB377 TT4 Transport infrastructure and associated A30 Upper proposals causing light pollution will be resisted. Halliford special landscape character of the AONB and B376 Hampton
A244 B3379 Opportunities to develop land management and W4 The benefits of removing inappropriate trees educational purposes, with the creation of new landscape and its heritage will be Virginia commissioned12/2 B369 RT4Court The design and development of new visitor facilities, landscaping, including verge management, will CE5 Water M3 Shepperton have a demonstrable, positive amenity impact, Walton Thames Thames and secondary woodland, particularly for the habitats and corridors informed by landscape with the involvement of local communities.Longcross B375 A3050 on Thames DittonDitton and the maintenance of existing facilities, will have respect and enhance the local landscape quality, conservation skills through vocational training, Esher p3 Development proposals will be required to be of high Chertsey Chertsey Walton-on lead to an increase in biodiversity and contribute -Thames A309 restoration of heathland and chalk grassland, A317 Esher Hinchley Wood A240 character and biodiversity. volunteer work and paid employment will be character to establish functional ecological A244 regard to the needs of people of all abilities to quality design, respecting local distinctiveness and A332 Addlestone to the vitality of the Surrey Hills economy. Bagshot B383 will be promoted to improve biodiversity and networks with resilience to climate change. Weybridge Claygate access and enjoy the Surrey Hills landscape. identified and actively promoted. 3 Ewell West complementary in form, setting, and scale with their A322 A319 Weybridge Byfleet & A307 A232 M3 A319 West New Haw A3 Major transport infrastructure will have due enable the reinstatement of views. Byfleet Epsom Ewell East TT5 A3046 Epsom surroundings, and should take any opportunities to B311 Banstead F4 Development leading to a loss of farmland will A30 Camberley A245 Oxshott Greater awareness of the Surrey Hills AONB B3411 A2022 regard to the AONB designation. Measures will CE6 B4 The enhancement of biodiversity will be M25 A245 A244 Epsom enhance their setting. Downs Banstead normally be resisted unless there is an overriding A325 10 Cobham & Ashtead A240 B382 Stoke D’Abernon 9 will be supported to foster a pride of place W5 Opportunities will be taken to extend and maximised through the targeting of advice Camberley A243 Upper need to be taken to integrate it into the Surrey A324 Woking Tattenham Whyteleafe 4 Chipstead B269 B367 Corner Warlingham public interest. Frimley Woking Whyteleafe link woodland / hedgerow habitats for and grants, and applicants for planning B3015 Leatherhead Kingswood South Hills landscape. that encourages community action to protect, Brookwood Leatherhead 9 p4 Proposals that would assist in the continuation B3012 Eingham Tadworth A331 Woldingham B3411 B380 A247 Junction landscape, nature conservation, recreation A3 A217 B2024 enhance and enjoy its landscape. permission will be expected to deliver B2039 Bookham WoldinWoldinghamgham Worplesdon B2215 B2031 of direct agricultural and forestry businesses or F5 A wider understanding and awareness of B2033 7 Caterham Horsley B2032 M25 and educational purposes. biodiversity gains as part of their proposals M25 benefit the social and economic well-being of Ash Vale A322 A320 7/8 Limpsfield agricultural practice will be promoted where NorthCamp Mickleham Merstham Oxted A246 8 A324 A323 Clandon Boxhill & Oxted secured through planning conditions or Westhumble M23 B269 B2234 Betchworth A25 residents, including small scale affordable housing, this encourages and supports the creation and Dorking Reigate A242 Mainline Redhill legal agreements where appropriate. Ash Wanborough A25 Dorking Redhill Hurst Green will be supported, providing they do not conflict West Bletchingley A22 London Road Dorking Betchworth maintenance of the outstanding landscape Reigate Nutfield Guildford Deepdene A25 Brockham A287 Guildford with the aim of conserving and enhancing the A31 A2044 character of the Surrey Hills. B3000 Gomshall A25 Dorking Godstone Measures required to meet Water Framework Puttenham A248 Shere B5 Shalford A217 Albury Westcott Earlswood beauty of the landscape. Wotton Farnham B3000 Chilworth A24 A23 Directive targets for the river catchments will be Farnham Blackheath Wonersh A31 Farncombe B2029 B3001 B2128 supported to conserve and enhance the ecological A3100 Bramley B2126 A281 Peaslake Horley p5 Proposals to redevelop or convert farm buildings A325 Holmbury 18% Godalming Lingfield 40% Godalming St Mary Holmwood B2028 A287 Elstead B2036 1% value of river landscapes, wetland habitats and Tilford that would render the associated farmed landscape woodland Heaths Milford Milford B2126 B2028 cover and Remnant Chalk 3 B2130 water quality affecting the environmental quality Frensham Ewhurst B2037 Dormans unviable will be resisted. Hascombe Ockley Distinctive A3 Commons Grassland and landscape of the Surrey Hills. Thursley B2127 Ockley Landscape A29 Churt Hambledon Cranleigh Development that would spoil the setting of the 25% Witley B2128 p6 14% Types A283 of land in Hindhead AONB by harming public views into or from the Dunsfold surrey Chiddingfold AONB will be resisted. A286 of which is Haslemere Haslemere B2131 ancient woodland