Built up Areas Character Appraisal Bookham and Fetcham
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Supplementary Planning Document Built Up Areas Character Appraisal Bookham and Fetcham Adopted 23 February 2010 Mole Valley Local Development Framework 2 Built up Areas Character Appraisal – Bookham and Fetcham Contents 1.0 Background ................................................................................................3 2.0 Methodology ...............................................................................................3 3.0 Policy Context .............................................................................................4 4.0 Bookham and Fetcham Overview ...............................................................5 5.0 Landscape Setting ......................................................................................5 6.0 Bookham ....................................................................................................6 6.1 Overview of Bookham .................................................................................... 6 6.2 Great Bookham Village Centre ....................................................................... 7 6.3 Preston Cross and Little Bookham ................................................................ 8 6.4 Railway Station Area ....................................................................................... 9 6.5 Burnhams Road/Maddox Lane and The Park/Meadowside .......................... 10 6.6 South and West Bookham ........................................................................... 10 6.7 East Bookham .............................................................................................. 11 7.0 Fetcham ....................................................................................................12 7.1 Overview of Fetcham .................................................................................... 12 7.2 Historic Centre ............................................................................................. 13 7.3 North Fetcham and Shopping Centre ........................................................... 14 7.4 West Fetcham .............................................................................................. 15 7.5 South East Fetcham ..................................................................................... 16 7.6 Fetcham/Leatherhead Fringe ........................................................................ 18 Bookhand and Fetcham Map ................................................................................19 Mole Valley Local Development Framework Supplementary Planning Document Adopted February 2010 3 Built up Areas Character Appraisal – Bookham and Fetcham 1.0 Background its setting, rather than appearing as an isolated 1.1 This is one of four Supplementary Planning infill plot or an after thought. Documents which together provide Character 1.7 This need to relate new development to its Appraisal of the five main built up areas in Mole context and setting is clearly recognised in Valley: Dorking, Leatherhead, Ashtead, Bookham National Planning Guidance, for example PPS1, and Fetcham. Bookham and Fetcham are paragraph 34: “Design which is inappropriate in contained in a single document. its context, or which fails to take the 1.2 The environmental quality of Mole Valley is highly opportunities available for improving the valued by both local people and visitors. There is character and quality of an area and the way it wide diversity in built character across the functions, should not be accepted.” District, from historic rural villages to tight knit, 1.8 The Built Up Areas Character Appraisal covers historic town centres and leafy suburban areas. the whole of each built up area, recognising that There are several Conservation Areas, but also every area has its own distinctive character. Some many other areas where the built up area has its locations have obvious townscape qualities, own, distinctive character. There are also areas perhaps as a result of their historic origins or where improvements could be made. particularly high standards of urban design. 1.3 Protection of the distinctive character of the Others may be less distinctive. Nevertheless, District has been a recurring theme during every area has its own character, which forms preparation of the Core Strategy at the heart of part of the mosaic that creates a distinctive built the Mole Valley Local Development Framework. environment within each settlement. The purpose of these Character Appraisals is to 1.9 The analysis in this document will inform the set out the key characteristics of Dorking, preparation of Local Development Documents, Leatherhead, Ashtead, Bookham and Fetcham. including the Land Allocations Development Plan They identify features that should be respected Document (DPD), and the determination of and preserved, the landscape setting of each planning applications. By those means, it will settlement, opportunities for enhancement and help to ensure that the local distinctiveness of the vulnerability to change. various parts of the District’s built up areas is 1.4 The Council is also producing a Landscape recognised and reflected in development Character Assessment, which acts as a proposals or land management. companion document, focussing on the wider landscape, outside the built up areas. A Character 2.0 Methodology Appraisal of the six Larger Rural Villages identified 2.1 The Built Up Areas Character Appraisal has been in the Core Strategy is also being prepared Taken prepared by the Council in partnership with local together, these Assessments will provide an organisations. Each area was visited and overview of the character of the District’s extensive use made of aerial photography and environment - both built-up and rural. published material relating to local history and townscape character. Early drafts were made 1.5 ‘Character’ can be defined as a distinct, available to the main Residents’ Association for recognisable and consistent pattern of elements each settlement in the north of the District, as that make each landscape or townscape well as the Dorking and District Preservation distinctive. Character is influenced by particular Society, in order to incorporate their local combinations of visual, ecological, historical, built perspective. components and other intangible aspects. The character of an area and its surroundings plays 2.2 The Character Appraisals were published for an important role in quality of life. public consultation between 30th October and 27th November 2009. A number of amendments 1.6 The five built up areas covered by the Character were made in light of comments raised. Appraisal are the locations to which the majority of development will be directed during the life of 2.3 The completed Built Up Areas Character the Core Strategy. It is important to ensure that Appraisals were adopted as a Supplementary such development contributes to the established Planning Document by the Council at its meeting character of these locations and is integrated into of 23 February 2010. Mole Valley Local Development Framework Supplementary Planning Document Adopted February 2010 4 Built up Areas Character Appraisal – Bookham and Fetcham 3.0 Policy Context 3.6 This, in turn, reflects the Vision of the Community National Guidance Strategy 2006-2016 which is that The needs of 3.1 Planning Policy Statement 1, Delivering Sustainable those who live and work in the District are met, the Development emphasises “good design” as an environment, prosperity and distinctive character of intrinsic element of good planning. It states: Good Mole Valley are sustained and problems that design ensures attractive usable, durable and reduce the quality of life are tackled.’ adaptable places and is a key element in achieving 3.7 The high priority placed on protecting character is sustainable development. Good design is reflected in Goal 1 of the Core Strategy, which is indivisible from good planning. (PPs1 para 33) To safeguard and enhance the highly attractive 3.2 The guidance goes on to place the notion of and diverse natural, built and historic environment “good design” firmly in the context of an of the District. understanding of the existing character and 3.8 This applies most especially to areas covered by appearance of the locality in which new specific policy designations, but the Core Strategy development takes place. PPS1 para 34 states: goes on to highlight that all areas have their own Design which is inappropriate in its context, or distinctive character, which needs to be understood which fails to take the opportunities available for in order to be safeguarded and/or enhanced. The improving the character and quality of an area Strategic Objectives to achieve Goal 1 include and the way it functions, should not be accepted. • To safeguard and enhance the built and 3.3 In paragraph 36, Planning Authorities are historic environment of the District, including encouraged to prepare robust policies on design the many listed buildings, conservation areas, and access, which should be based on an archaeological sites and historic landscapes / understanding and evaluation of its present defining parks and gardens and the overall distinctive characteristics. And para 38 recognises that it is character of Mole Valley’s towns and villages. proper to seek to promote or reinforce local • “To ensure that all development makes a distinctiveness particularly where this is supported positive contribution to the built and historic by clear plan policies or supplementary planning environment and