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In the interests of preventing the spread of Covid19 we were asked by Head Office not to put leaflets through your door. We InSight hope you enjoy this electronic version of InSight. Published by the Caterham on the Hill Conservative Association Winter 2020 second largest plan in the Country The and one of only a few which covers multiple parishes – we intend to Neighbourhood make it work for the Community.” The Neighbourhood plan, having Plan been subject to rigorous consultation and examination, will Neighbourhood Plan carry a lot of authority. Planning Regulations are to undergo a now has significant overhaul, which may “Significant Weight” diminish local power of objection. Neighbourhood Plans, if in existence, will be a powerful tool After nine years of hard work Jeremy Webster Caterham, Chaldon and Whyteleafe now have to ensure new developments a Neighbourhood Plan which will have to be conform to the character of the areas in which given “significant weight” in development plans. It they are placed. gains “Full Weight” once passed in a local “We will use whatever tools we have in referendum, probably next spring. our power to prevent the overdevelopment of Jeremy Webster, Chair of the Lead Parish on areas like Caterham” Jeremy said. the Neighbourhood Plan has been leading the Read about the Neighbourhood Plan via the work to get the Plan approved for the last two and link below: a half years. “This is not a piece of work which www.ccwnp.org.uk will sit on a shelf”, commented Jeremy, “it is the A note from Claire Coutinho, our MP to how strong our community spirit is, and how Dear hard working and committed our community Resident leaders are. I am sure that as you read through this InSight, you will see this for yourself. It has been nearly a year It was a pleasure to visit the Westway before the since I was first lockdown and to hold a surgery there in elected as January, however, I am sorry that I have not your MP, and been able to see as many of you in person. But it has been an when the pandemic is over, I will make sure to unusual year to visit you all in Caterham on the Hill and see all say the least. the hard work you are doing. Please take care Coronavirus has had and stay safe. an impact on the way we Best wishes, live and work, but it has shown the resilience of our communities across East Surrey and here Claire in Caterham. www.clairecoutinho.com The hard work of Cllr Jeremy Webster and the team at the Westway Centre to help the Read why Jeremy was mentioned in the vulnerable during the pandemic is a testament House of Commons on page 3. Due to the surging demand for housing, the affordability index, the relationship between house prices and salaries for our area, has some Planning of the highest figures in the country. Young people who have grown up in the area are in the being forced out by economic pressures. This high index means that our area will remain a Tandridge target in the national house building debate. District A second major theme has been the deterioration Rod Stead in the urban centres of Caterham Hill, Caterham Valley and Oxted. These have not kept pace with more vibrant centres such as Redhill and Former District Councillor Croydon. The shops are generally small, difficult Rod Stead discusses to rent and there is little in the way of life in the evenings. These centres seem likely to continue planning in Tandridge. to deteriorate without further substantial investment. The Caterham Masterplan looked The most important feature of the Tandridge at potential developments in Caterham in order District is that over 90% of the area is to preserve these as active urban centres. The designated as green belt land. The national subsequent public consultation supported the shortage of new homes has caused major desire to stimulate such investment. There are a pressure on the area with the government (and all number of problems. The sites are largely the major national political parties) pushing for privately owned and need the cooperation of the further housing development. The Tandridge owners or developers. The main roads are Planning Department and the Planning heavily congested and difficult to free up. Committee have been largely successful over There are shortages of parking spaces, the last decade in avoiding inappropriate particularly for day long use. Major Developments development and protecting the green belt. The are not likely to be viable without adding extra Planning Committee has a key role in this process floors to make them economically viable. although as a quasi-judicial body, it is required to follow the rules of planning law. There is no doubt that this situation remains the major focus of political controversy in the local scene. There have been a number of side effects from this situation. As Caterham has a disproportionally large percentage of non- green belt land, much of the Tandridge house building has taken place there. This has led to over development in parts of Caterham and to have a serious impact on the quality of life through pressure on the existing infrastructure such as road congestion, inadequate drainage, High Street congestion, photo Rod Stead and other deficient services. The proposal for a The national government considers that local garden village south of the M25 has focussed democracy is a major barrier to more house attention on this situation, with strident opposition building and development projects. They will to any such development by the communities in seek to weaken or remove local control of the that area. planning process to force them through. They would prefer more of the building to We must press to retain local control in take place in Caterham, in multi floor planning in order to influence the future of our flat developments. community. and gardens to such a very QUEEN’S PARK high standard. Special thanks should be given to all Local resident, those concerned. Malcolm Russell, thanks those who maintain the park Malcolm Russell Queen’s Park is labelled as the “premier” park within the Tandridge District and gives its name to the ward so many of us are proud to live in. In the troubled times of the last few months, and in particular during the full lockdown, this delightful green space has been such an important sanctuary for so many of us. Many visitors have noted the effort and devotion of the employees of TDC and the volunteers of the Richmond Fellowship in maintaining the park Queen’s Park, photo Malcolm Russell • This can be achieved by Neighbourhood Plans Protection and • Priorities are better design, ensuring new builds integrate with local character Planning • Green Spaces must be preserved and The Caterham Chaldon and protected Whyteleafe Neighbourhood These findings have been forwarded to government and the local MP, Claire Coutinho, Plan Group’s Response to the who did the Steering Group and Caterham Government’s White Paper a service by mentioning our work and my name in the House of Commons during a -Planning for the Future. parliamentary debate on Planning on 9th October 2020. Jeremy Webster, Chair, Caterham Hill Parish Council writes: The public response to our I had written to Claire on behalf of residents questionnaire was very heartening with 120 expressing concern about the confusion which residents responding, existed about future housing targets on paper and online. for Tandridge-ranging from unit delivery of Thanks to Tiffany between 646 pa to 563 pa, compared with Chan, Perlie Tse and current target of 125pa and the current actual Frances Chan who delivery of 250 pa. I also pointed out that the spent their half term proposals in the White Paper would curtail the “crunching” the results. ability of residents to object and amend The full report on the development plans. Questionnaire In the Commons, the MP mentioned that inflation findings is available in the housing numbers requirement was a Jeremy Webster to view at on this link: concern to many with longstanding expertise such as myself and that targets should be https://ccwnp.org.uk/ decided with local input. Residents commented: This was encouraging. Response to strong • The current planning system is broken and public concern has already resulted in does need reform Government listening to MP’s. The White Paper • Local input into planning decisions must be is being reconsidered and any legislation delayed maintained until after May 2021 local elections. Wrong Place, Wrong Time Local activist Maria Grasso gives her view on the proposed Maria Grasso development of Church Walk, note the sandbags outside Clarks Church Walk and Station Ave surrounding areas. We compete with Reigate, We need investment. Housing is essential, as Horley and Oxted. All three towns have parking are retail and leisure spaces, to entice facilities that we do not have. shoppers and to build a vibrant town centre. But Ropemaker’s proposal does not do this and, New borehole testing (by ABC–A Better I believe, will lead to significant problems. It is Caterham) demonstrates that the development the largest redevelopment in a generation. will exacerbate already serious flooding We must get it right. problems. In addition, the Environmental Agency may have misclassified the Church Walk area since there is new evidence that the bourne flows beneath it. If so, the entire issue of redevelopment must be called into question. Progress involves change, but must not destroy vernacular architecture as the Ropemaker proposal will do. The wonderfully varied architecture of Station Avenue is a characteristic of Caterham, and preservation is enshrined in the Neighbourhood Plan.

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