Supplementary Planning Document

Built Up Areas Character Appraisal Bookham and

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 Village Centre...... 7 6.3 Preston Cross and ...... 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/ 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: , Leatherhead, , 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 respects local distinctiveness. documents on design. 3.9 Core Strategy Policy CS14 sets out how these 3.4 This Supplementary Planning Document expresses objectives are to be achieved in policy terms: the Council’s understanding of the distinctive characteristics of each of its main built up areas, Policy CS14 taking into account the views of local residents and Townscape,Urban Design and the other interested bodies. The SPD will, in turn, form Historic Environment a basis for policies on design and access, and act as a tool for assessing development proposals. All new development must respect and enhance the character of the area in which it is proposed Local Policy Context whilst making the best possible use of the land 3.5 The need to balance new development against its available. This will be assisted through the work on impact on the character of the built environment is at Urban Area Character Appraisals. the heart of Mole Valley’s Core Strategy. The The Council will resist development of a poor Council’s spatial vision for Mole Valley, as set out in quality of design and will expect to see sufficient the Core Strategy 2006-2026, is as follows: Mole detail set out in Design and Access Statements, Valley will make provision for its share of the Region’s where required, to enable planning applications to growth of homes and jobs and provide for the needs be properly determined. of its communities but in a way that is sustainable, Development must incorporate appropriate minimises significant harmful change to its distinct- landscaping with particular attention to the use of ive character, environment and feel, and mitigates trees and hedges native to the locality. its impact on the causes of climate change. The District’s natural, built and historic environment will Areas and sites of historic or architectural be safeguarded and enhanced and communities importance will be protected and, where will have safe, convenient and sustainable access appropriate, enhanced in accordance with the to the services and facilities they require. legislation, national and regional guidance.

Mole Valley Local Development Framework Supplementary Planning Document Adopted February 2010 5

Built up Areas Character Appraisal – Bookham and Fetcham 5.0 Edge of Bookham Common

3.10 This document fulfils the commitment in the • (East Bookham and) West Fetcham Core Strategy to prepare Character Appraisals Fetcham Historic Centre for the Built Up Areas. It will be used to support • and assist the implementation of Core Strategy • North Fetcham and Shopping Centre Policy CS14., to ensure that future development • South East Fetcham contributes to the character of these locations Fetcham/Leatherhead Fringe and is integrated into its location rather than • appearing as an isolated infill plot or an after 5.0 Landscape Setting thought. 5.1 The built up area of Bookham and Fetcham sits within a gently undulating landscape, featuring a patchwork of small grass fields and pockets of 4.0 Bookham and Fetcham Overview woodland. To the south, the settlements abut the northern boundary of the Area of Outstanding 4.1 This built up area contains three original village Natural Beauty. The land rises up from north to centres - Little Bookham, Great Bookham and south, with the south side of Road Fetcham. All three now lie within a more or less providing views into the rolling landscape of continuous settlement, of predominantly and the Fetcham Downs. The residential use. The boundaries within the built up settlement area is confined within land bounded area are difficult to discern on the ground, by the to the west and although the villages centres have separate and north with an additional designation covering land distinct characters. While considering the to the south which is an Area of Outstanding settlement as a whole, this Appraisal seeks to Natural Beauty. The built environment benefits draw out the distinctive character of the villages, from widespread tree cover. There is easy access as well as their similarities. for walkers, cyclists and horseriders to the 4.2 Ten Character Areas have been identified within surrounding countryside. Bookham and Fetcham; five in Bookham, four in 5.2 The ’s flagship property at Polesden Fetcham and one (East Bookham and West Lacey, with its formal gardens, parkland and Fetcham) which straddles the boundary between countryside walks is a popular recreational the villages. The Character Areas are identified in destination for local residents, as well as being a this document as follows: significant draw for visitors from further afield. Bookham Views northwards towards London are • Great Bookham Village Centre especially significant. • Preston Cross and Little Bookham Street 5.3 The outer boundaries of the built up area are generally well-defined on the ground by Railway Station Area • Bookham Common and the Leatherhead to • Burnhams Road/Maddox Lane and The Park Guildford railway line to the north, open Green • South and West Bookham Belt land to the west, together with Fetcham Downs, Norbury Park and the Area East Bookham (and West Fetcham) • of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the south, and Fetcham the flood plain of the to the east. Over

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Built up Areas Character Appraisal – Bookham and Fetcham 6.2

Bookham High Street looking North Bookham High Street looking South

past decades development has expanded up to Leatherhead, on the other side of the bridge. these boundaries with the introduction of both public and private sector housing, and 6.0 BOOKHAM subsequent infilling and backland development. 6.1 Overview of Bookham 5.4 There is a rapid transition into a small scale 6.1.1 The settlement of Bookham has grown up agricultural landscape as one leaves the settlement. around the villages of Great Bookham and Little There is some sporadic housing to the north, Bookham. The population at the time of the 2001 between Cobham Road and the railway line, and Census was approximately 10,400. Much of the to the west, between Bookham and Effingham. modern settlement is residential, with housing Elsewhere to the north and west of the settlements, spreading north, south and east from the original the landscape is punctuated by equestrian uses, village centres, merging into the housing on the small agricultural holdings (mainly laid to pasture) west of Fetcham. It extends north to Bookham and sporadic housing along the rural lanes. Native Common and south towards higher ground at hedgerows line most of the rural highway network Polesden Lacey and the Area of Outstanding and there are many pockets of woodland. Natural Beauty.

5.5 North of Great and Little Bookham lies Bookham 6.1.2 There are two main through routes - Lower Common; a substantial expanse of woodland, Road, which passes east/west close to the grass and scrubland on London Clay, designated centre of the village bisecting the built area into an SSSI. The Common provides a strong rural the North Bookham and South Bookham Wards, setting to the north of the settlements with fingers providing the main spine link through the centre of open grassland projecting into the village just of Bookham for local traffic and connecting the east and west of the railway station along Church main housing areas with the village centre - and Road and Little Bookham Street. Mature trees Guildford Road (A246) which runs parallel to it, to surrounding these areas are important in defining the south. The A246 is the main road from the rural setting of the Common. Leatherhead to Guildford and a well-used transport route. It is the only highway leaving the 5.6 Fetcham and Leatherhead are separated by the village to the west floodplain of the River Mole, which is most prominent at Fetcham Springs, where the flat, 6.1.3 Sustainable transport is provided by the east/ open grassland extends right into the edge of west railway line connecting Leatherhead to Fetcham. This is a valued piece of open space Guildford, running on the northern extremity of separating the two settlements, while providing a the area with Bookham Station some 1.5km from quiet, pedestrian and cycle route between them. the village centre, and the Leatherhead to The corridor between Fetcham and Leatherhead Guildford bus service running along Lower Road is important for wildlife and as a walking route and linking North Fetcham, North Bookham and along the River Mole. Little Bookham.

5.7 Fetcham meets Leatherhead where Guildford 6.1.4 The cross roads of the High Street, Lower Road Road passes under the railway line. A small and Church Road is the heart of Great Bookham. cluster of mixed uses, including a parade of Clustered around the crossroads are a good shops, fire station and office buildings, serves as range of local shops, churches, doctor’s surgery, a transition into the more urban environment of and library. Two of the village primary

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Built up Areas Character Appraisal – Bookham and Fetcham 6.2

Bookham Grove St Nicolas Church St Nicolas Churchyard

schools and its youth centre are also nearby. The convenience shopping. Mellow clay paviours used centre of Little Bookham is less well-defined, but on the footways within the shopping street are an includes a cluster of historic buildings in the attractive feature and help to add distinction to vicinity of Preston Cross (the junction of Lower the social and economic heart of the village. Road, Rectory Lane and Little Bookham Street). 6.2.4 At the southern end of the village centre, between Both village centres are designated Conservation Lower Shott and Guildford Road, the streetscape Areas. The Conservation Area at Great Bookham opens out in front of Bookham Grove House, a extends beyond the core area to the south into mid-18th century listed building of striking Lower Shott, where it includes a wooded area of character, in white render and slate. Although part open space to the front of Bookham Grove of the open land is now used for car parking House, as well as to the north along and behind serving the village centre generally as well as the Church Road. At Little Bookham, the adjacent group of neighbourhood shops, the Conservation Area extends out into the Green remainder comprises a group of mature trees, Belt to the south west of Preston Cross. with underlying footpaths connecting through to 6.2 Great Bookham Village Centre the High Street. This land is included in the Conservation Area, and helps to retain a link 6.2.1 The village centre is centred on the cross roads between Bookham Grove House and the village of Lower Road, Church Road and the High centre. Mature trees also extend along the wide Street, with a predominantly north/south spread. grass verges of Guildford Road, giving it a The Character Area includes Great Bookham remarkably sylvan character, considering its Conservation Area, which extends from the proximity to the centre of the village. southern part of Church Road, down the High Street, to Bookham Grove House in the south. 6.2.5 The village centre continues north up Church Road, with a secondary cluster of commercial 6.2.2 At the heart of the Character Area, St Nicolas premises opposite the Old Barn Hall village hall. Church is a major landmark building, standing at There is also a smaller cluster of retail and the crossroads, with its churchyard providing a commercial premises on Guildford Road, quiet open space. The church itself is of flint between Eastwick Road and Gilmais, together construction, with a distinctive weatherboarded with a distinctive terrace of Victorian cottages tower and is Listed Grade I. The churchyard flint (Beckley Cottages), contrasting with the lower walls, mature trees and war memorial are all density housing on the rest of Guildford Road. features associated with the church. 6.2.6 Immediately to the east of the High Street, East 6.2.3 The village centre is a tight knit, informal cluster of Street is a much quieter, residential road, with mainly small scale buildings, with several from the cluster of relatively tight knit, 19th century 19th century, one or two older properties and cottages on the west side, facing more recent some modern infill. Townshott Close, on the housing on the east. western side of the High Street provides a quiet enclave and small open space, contrasting with 6.2.7 Standing slightly apart from the village centre, the the busy-ness of the High Street itself. There are northern part of Eastwick Road is another cluster two small supermarkets, but otherwise the shops of 19th century cottages and small commercial are mainly single retail units, with independent premises in traditional, brick buildings, together shops providing a remarkably good range of with the Anchor at the junction with Lower

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Built up Areas Character Appraisal – Bookham and Fetcham 6.3

Cottages, Little Bookham Street Little Bookham Street

Road. This part of Eastwick Road is very narrow Old Barn Hall, library, Baptist Church and Hall and with no footway in places and has a much more parish church, as well as the pubs and cafes, tightly-developed and historic feel than the provide a focus for social interaction. housing area which surrounds it. Parked cars and delivery vans create congestion 6.2.8 Low density housing permeates the outer parts and restrict access along High Street - although of the village centre, particularly between East availability of parking outside shops also provides Street and Eastwick Road, where the townscape good access to residents. shares similar characteristics to the housing in Junction of High Street, Lower Road and Church Central Bookham/Fetcham, to the north. Road also dominated by traffic and awkward pedestrian movement between High Street and Church Road. Great Bookham Village Centre: Key Characteristics Guildford Road forms something of a visual and functional barrier between the High Street and the Attractive and eclectic mix of buildings, including additional shopping/parking area at Lower Shott. several historic buildings and pleasantly-detailed Some rather indifferent rear elevations exposed to examples from the 19th and early 20th century public view (e.g. within car park off Lower Road architecture. and rear of Old Crown public house). Excellent range of local shops and services, Cluttered and ill-defined frontage to parade of concentrated in a compact area, supported by shops on Leatherhead Road, between Eastwick accessible car parking. Road and Gilmais. Series of open, green spaces within the heart of the village (e.g. St Nicolas Church churchyard, 6.3 Preston Cross and Little Bookham Townshott Close and trees and footpaths around 6.3.1 The area of Little Bookham today extends on a Lower Shott car park) balancing an otherwise building-dominated environment. north/south line westward from the western side of Little Bookham Street. The crossroads where Little Good tree cover. Belt of mature trees along Bookham Street and Rectory Lane meet Lower Guildford Road, and several large specimen trees in Road is the historic centre of Little Bookham, the grounds of buildings - including within St although it no longer has the feel of a focussed Nicolas churchyard and at Townshott Close. centre, having been subsumed into a larger estate of mainly 1950s housing. This part of the built up Several landmark buildings, notably St Nicolas area is included in Little Bookham Conservation Church, The Old Crown public house, and Area, which extends south and west into the Bookham Grove House. Also the Royal Oak public countryside between Bookham and Effingham. house and the Old Barn Hall. 6.3.2 Around the crossroads, is a fine collection of Varied and interesting residential environment, vernacular buildings, especially along the west including a harmonious mix of housing densities side of Little Bookham Street. The buildings here and styles. are from the 16th and 17th centuries and are of The presence of community buildings such as the characteristic timber frame with brick and

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Built up Areas Character Appraisal – Bookham and Fetcham 6.4

Common land, Little Bookham Street Houses on Barnmeadow Lane Higher density housing, Edenside Road Railway Station and Offices

rendered infill panels and clay tile roofs. In this part of the settlement, there are larger estates of similarly-designed dwellings, but they 6.3.3 Just outside the built up area at the cross roads, still have much of the spacious, leafy character the Preston Cross Hotel and the Grange are that is typical of this settlement. substantial former residential properties in large parkland gardens overlooking open fields. They 6.4.3 The proximity to open countryside is highly are now in commercial and institutional uses. apparent in this part of Bookham. The low density housing off Burnhams Road and Maddox Preston Cross and Little Bookham Lane is largely hidden among mature trees, Street: Key Characteristics merging into the edge of Bookham Common, to the north and overlooking open country within Several historic buildings dating from the 16th and the Green Belt to the west. On the east side of 17th centuries, and good examples of local Little Bookham Street, the housing is set back vernacular architecture. behind a strip of common land, laid to grass and punctuated by trees. Moving east at Little Strong rural setting to village, with substantial properties in strong garden settings overlooking Bookham Street becomes Church Road, a open fields, as well as a large recreation ground in further area of Common Land providing a Lower Road on the south eastern fringe of the triangular area of open space overlooked by village. Taken together, these areas maintain a belt of mature tees extends into the settlement area countryside, separating the villages of Bookham and from the edge of the Common and giving this Effingham and maintaining their separate identities. part of the settlement a semi-rural character.

A stretch of rather ordinary 1950s housing along 6.4.5 The railway station is right on the edge of the Little Bookham Street, which weakens the setting built up area of Great Bookham, backing onto of the historic cottages in this part of the village. the Common. It is about 1.5km from the village centre, where almost all of the other village 6.4 Railway Station Area services are located. As a result, it feels rather remote from southern parts of the settlement, 6.4.1 Bookham Railway Station lies at the northern although there are bus connections connecting extreme of Great and Little Bookham, at the the area to both Fetcham and Leatherhead. northern limit of Church Road. Immediately to the south is a small industrial estate which is the only concentration of employment land in Railway Station Area: Bookham and Fetcham. The buildings include a Key Characteristics number of modern industrial sheds, with profiled metal cladding, and a three storey office Higher residential densities achieved, while still building with an expanse of currently vacant having a strong landscape setting with plentiful tree employment land behind, awaiting reinstatement cover and grassed areas within the built up area. following fire damage. Mix of building styles, with each development large 6.4.2 South of the industrial estate lies an expanse of enough to have its own character, while still higher density housing, including a Council estate blending together in an harmonious manner. But dating from the 1970s, around Edenside Road. little local distinctiveness to building designs.

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Built up Areas Character Appraisal – Bookham and Fetcham 6.5

Abundant planting, Burnhams Road Generous garden setting, The Park Spacious frontages, Attwood

Strong rural setting, with fringes of Bookham housing design in the 1970s onwards. They are Common permeating the built up area to east of mixed with a few older properties, generally from railway station and along northern section Little the 1930s. The variety of styles is unified by their Bookham Street. consistently large garden plots and informal layout.

Industrial estate accommodated without 6.5.4 Within this spacious, semi-rural setting, the flats dominating the public realm. at The Blackburn (off Little Bookham Street) stand out as something of a contrast, with their Good access to public transport (rail), compared rather mundane 1970s design. with the rest of the Bookham/Fetcham area. Regular bus service connects the area to both Leatherhead and Fetcham. Burnhams Road/Maddox Lane and The Park/Meadowside: 6.5 Burnhams Road/Maddox Lane Key Characteristics and The Park/Meadowside 6.5.1 This Character Area comprises two clusters of Generous plot sizes and generally good lateral high quality, low density detached housing. separation between buildings, so that, in the main, Burnhams Road and Maddox Lane lie at the the houses appear subservient to their garden extreme north west of the settlement, bounded setting. by the railway line and Little Bookham Street. Well maintained, mature gardens, with extensive The Character Area also includes Attwood, hedges, shrubs and large trees. Maddox Park, Edgeley, Heather Close and Fox Lane. The Park and Meadowside are more Quiet and peaceful character. central within Great Bookham, lying east of Highways relatively free of traffic, with little visible Church Road and north of the main village car parking. centre. The Park and Meadowside are defined as a Residential Area of Special Character in policy Some houses relatively remote from village ENV17 of the Mole Valley Local Plan 2000. services, particularly in the vicinity of Burnhams Road/Maddox Lane 6.5.2 Both parts of this Character Area are characterised by large detached houses set back from the road, 6.6 South and West Bookham behind mature, generally well-landscaped front gardens. In several places, high hedges and 6.6.1 South and West of the village centre is a spread mature trees tends to screen the houses from of residential development, revealing a significant public view, giving this Character Area a period of expansion during the 1930s and 1950s. particularly sylvan character. Elsewhere, gardens 6.6.2 Housing styles and densities are mixed. Along are more open, with large lawns punctuated by the main through roads and in the vicinity of Sole mature trees. In either case, spacing around and Farm Road, Childs Hall Road and Dowlans Road, between buildings is generous, so that dwellings there are pockets of low density detached appear subservient to their garden setting. housing, from the 1930s onwards. But in general, 6.5.3 Dwellings are of varied design and period. A high densities are higher, with narrow plots creating a proportion date from the latter part of the 20th more continuously built-up street frontage, with century and are generally good examples of gardens mainly to the rear.

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Built up Areas Character Appraisal – Bookham and Fetcham 6.6

1950s estate, Middlemead Mixed housing, Howard Road Lower density housing, Dowlans Road

6.6.3 There are two estates of 1950s semi-detached Good access to local services in village centre, but and terraced housing, at Middlemead/Sole Farm towards the periphery at some distance from Avenue and at Lower Shott/Beales Road. sustainable forms of transport. Elsewhere, housing styles are less consistent, Some good examples of late 20th century infill suggesting a succession of small, infill development, with strong visual character. developments dating from the 1950s to the present day. On the whole, contrasting styles Some 1950s housing architecturally coexist in a harmonious manner, although there are undistinguished and beginning to look dated. locations where the street scene lacks any clear identity. Much of the housing is typical of suburban Less “leafy” than the rest of Bookham, with more development in the south east of and has continuously built up frontages, buildings closer to little in the way of local distinctiveness. front boundaries and much less extensive landscaping. 6.6.4 Dwellings tend to be one or two storeys high - rarely more. External materials vary widely, Mixture of contrasting house styles not always although the older and more traditional dwellings harmonious. tend to be of red brick or pale render, with red Little local distinctiveness. clay tiles or occasionally slate to the roof. Roofs are almost universally pitched. 6.7 East Bookham 6.6.5 Tree cover is more sporadic here than in other 6.7.1 North and east of the village centre is a parts of the settlement, with some streets being predominantly lower density residential area, with strongly building-dominated. However, a detached housing being the norm. Housing succession of small open spaces punctuates the tends to follow a hierarchical layout, with more building line and the recreation grounds at mature, lowest density housing along the main Dorking Road and Lower Road provide important through routes and a series of infill developments public open space. and cul de sacs filling in between.

South and West Bookham: 6.7.2 Several 1930s properties are found along the Key Characteristics main traffic routes, and infill development has continued ever since, resulting in a wide variation Pleasant and varied residential environment, often of housing styles and periods. Much of the with wide streets and grass verges adding a sense housing is typical of suburban development in of space to the street scene. the south east of England. Mature tree cover and areas of informal open space however contribute Good mixture of housing densities. to a sense of harmonious character within a local Several stretches of lower density housing, with mature context, despite individual housing design gardens and harmonious mix of housing designs. offering little in the way of local distinctiveness.

Network of small open spaces and larger recreation 6.7.3 On the whole, developments have been of a fairly grounds providing relief to otherwise continuous small scale and there are few stretches of built up frontages. Also belts of mature trees homogenous design. Individual cul de sacs tend through some back garden areas. to have their own style, which is quite likely to

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Built up Areas Character Appraisal – Bookham and Fetcham 6.7

Detached housing, Durleston Park Road Garden planting Lower Road

contrast with that of the adjacent development. House plots mostly of regular size/spacing, creating a Through routes are more likely to have a mixture sense of coherence despite variety of house design. of housing styles, with a variety of styles from the Succession of small public open spaces throughout 1930s to the present day, coexisting in a the built up area. harmonious manner. Little local distinctiveness in housing design, 6.7.4 Densities tend to be medium to low; there is although level of tree cover and spaciousness is limited high density development. As in South very typical of “leafy” . and West Bookham, dwellings tend to be one or two storeys high - rarely more. Roofs are almost Few distinctive landmarks and some rather universally pitched. External materials vary widely, tortuous road layouts, which makes area difficult to although the older and more traditional dwellings navigate, off the main through routes. tend to be of red brick or pale render, with red clay tiles or occasionally slate to the roof.

6.7.5 Along the main roads, buildings are often set back from the highway frontage, with mature trees and garden landscaping dominating the streetscape. Even on the more minor roads, street widths are often generous. Grass verges are common and most streets have extensive front garden planting, giving the housing a pleasant, green setting. There is also a good network of small, informal open spaces - from Village sign wide verges to small recreation grounds - which contribute further to the leafy, green character of 7.0 FETCHAM this part of the settlement. 7.1 Overview of Fetcham East Bookham: 7.1.1 The settlement of Fetcham is contiguous with the Key Characteristics housing on the eastern edge of Bookham. The transition from one settlement to the other is Houses often set back behind well maintained front generally regarded as being in the vicinity of gardens. Wide streets, grass verges and lateral Kennel Lane, but it is difficult to discern on the separation between buildings combine to create a ground. Fetcham is slightly smaller, with a 2001 strong sense of spaciousness. population of 8,300, against Bookham’s 10,400.

Generous tree cover, including many mature trees 7.1.2 Fetcham experienced significant expansion in the within private gardens. 1930s and 1950s, with a substantial amount of estate development dating from that period, in Interesting variety in house design, including some the north of the village. The modern retail centre good examples of well built, late 20th century housing. of the village is also in the north part of the Contrasting styles of development generally settlement, while the historic centre is about co-exist in a harmonious manner. 0.5km further south, at the southern extreme of

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Built up Areas Character Appraisal – Bookham and Fetcham 7.2

The Street Path to St Mary’s Church Fetcham Village Infants School

The Street. The Parish Church, village schools styles. The predominant building material is warm, and several historic buildings are clustered in the red brick. Brick boundary walls and hedges are a latter location. strong feature, making The Street and its buildings feel much more enclosed than is typical. 7.1.3 The village has a varied residential environment, with higher density, modest family housing in the 7.2.4 On the south side of Lower Road, the streetscape north, contrasting with very low density detached is much more open and develops something of a villas in the south east. The western part of the parkland character. Here lie St Mary’s Parish settlement is characterised by medium to low Church and ; both Listed at density detached housing, very similar to that in Grade II*, with parts of St Mary’s Church dating the east of Bookham, making a seamless back to 10th Century. Modern residential transition from one village to the next. development has encroached on the approaches to both buildings, which as a result can only be 7.2 Historic Centre glimpsed from the main through roads. However, 7.2.1 The historic centre of Fetcham includes the the parkland setting of Fetcham Park House Conservation Area, extending from the junction of extends to the edge of Lower Road, where its Bell Lane and School Lane in the north, along mature trees provide an attractive end view from The Old Street, to the Parish Church, south of The Street. The flint church stands in a church Lower Road. yard which provides it with a tranquil, open 7.2.2 There are several prominent feature buildings setting made all the more peaceful by its position around the junction of Bell Lane and School well back from the main highway frontage. Lane, the most attractive of which include: • The original Victorian buildings of Fetcham Historic Centre: Village Infant School; Key Characteristics • The Bell public house, dating from the 1930s, Strong community focus, with public buildings with a symmetrical curved front façade in a clustered closely together around junction of Bell neo-Georgian style Lane and School Lane.

• The Bell House, a substantial early 19th Several attractive landmark buildings - some of century house in an attractive well treed historic interest. E.g. Victorian buildings of Fetcham garden. Village Infant School, The Bell public house, Bell Oakfield Junior School, the Roman Catholic House and churches. Church of the Holy Spirit and the village hall are Secluded cluster of historic buildings on The Street, other public buildings in the vicinity; all prominent retaining much visual interest and relatively free of but with less architectural merit. traffic and modern accoutrements. 7.2.3 In the heart of the Conservation Area, The Old Strong parkland setting to St Mary’s Church and Street (part of The Street) is a narrow residential Fetcham Park House, with well maintained green street, connecting the much busier through roads landscaping extending out to the public frontages of Bell Lane and Lower Road. Properties on this to Lower Road and The Ridgeway. part of The Street very in age from early 17th century to 20th century buildings built in historic Varied and interesting residential environment: low

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Built up Areas Character Appraisal – Bookham and Fetcham 7.3

1950s housing, Hilley Field Lane Bickney Way Housing on Cobham Road

density housing of varied styles set in leafy part of , with little local gardens. Plentiful trees, shrubs and hedges and distinctiveness. Most are two storey semi- well maintained lawns creating a strong garden detached houses, although there are also large setting to the built environment. concentrations of bungalows.

Historic buildings not in prominent locations and 7.3.4 Within the street scene, natural landscaping is somewhat overshadowed by the wider spread of much less generous than elsewhere in Bookham 20th century housing. and Fetcham. The streetscape is dominated by built development. Some houses enjoy long rear Little local distinctiveness in housing design, gardens, which provides some sense of space although level of tree cover and spaciousness is within the residential area. This is particularly the very typical of “leafy” Surrey. case in the vicinity of Cannon Grove, where the Relatively remote from local services, which are size of rear gardens can be perceived between concentrated in the north of the village. Few the buildings adds a notable sense of alternatives to the private car. spaciousness to an otherwise built-up street scene. The recreation grounds at Cock Lane and Weak relationship between historic centre and Cannon Grove are also welcome open spaces in modern shopping centre, due to distance between a relatively tight knit built environment. them. 7.3.5 Copperfields and Bickney Way are two 1980s housing developments in the north of the village. 7.3 North Fetcham and Shopping Centre Their layout follows a typical cul de sac format, 7.3.1 The northern part of Fetcham has generally with houses arranged in small clusters around higher residential densities than much of the rest shared parking courts, with small, open front of Fetcham and Bookham. Most of the housing gardens. As such, there is a marked contrast dates from the 1930s and 1950s and follows a with the strong linear form of the 1930s and strong linear layout, with dwellings directly 1950s housing, but other characteristics, in addressing the highway, behind small, well- terms of repeated house designs, relatively high defined front gardens. Plots are long and narrow density and limited landscaping/open space are and there is a significant amount of back garden similar to the rest of North Fetcham. land within an otherwise tight knit environment. 7.3.6 The main shopping parade in Fetcham lies within 7.3.2 Housing designs vary from street to street, but North Fetcham, around the junction of The within each street there is much more uniformity Street and Cobham Road. This is about 0.5km than elsewhere in the settlement. House designs north of the historic centre, described in the are repeated for significant lengths of highway. previous section. There are some good examples of 1930s 7.3.7 The shops are contained in a series of short housing, with many original details retained, terraces, mainly of two storeys, with the oldest particularly within the locality of Cannon Grove. dating from the 1930s and several from the 1970s. 7.3.3 Building materials tend to be red brick, render/ They include a small supermarket and a range of pebble dash and clay tiles. Gables are often tile convenience and specialist shops and food outlets. hung or boarded with mock timber frames. There is little natural landscaping here. Buildings Designs are typical of suburban housing in this are tight to the street frontage and there is

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Built up Areas Character Appraisal – Bookham and Fetcham 7.3 Local shopping parade Fetcham Village Shops View of trees in back gardens, Cannonside

extensive on-street parking to serve the retail units. distinctiveness in housing design and detached Parked cars rather dominate the streetscape. from historic centre of the village. There are also a number of small neighbourhood Some less than sympathetic domestic extensions, shopping parades, providing convenience interrupting rhythm of otherwise consistent shopping within some of the housing estates. stretches of similar designs. 7.3.8 The shopping centre is almost at the northern High reliance on on-street parking in front of local limit of the settlement, with the railway line being shops, making a rather congested streetscape and a prominent feature where it crosses the bridge hiding some attractive small scale shop premises. above Cobham Road. There is a further 1930s/1950s housing just north of the railway Unattractive vehicle repair garage/petrol station in bridge, but the settlement quickly gives way to its highly prominent position in heart of shopping centre. rural surroundings. Neighbourhood shopping parades generally in architecturally undistinguished buildings and North Fetcham cluttered with parked cars on highway frontages. and Shopping Centre: Key Characteristics 7.4 West Fetcham 7.4.1 Housing in the western part of Fetcham follows a More efficient use of land than in much of the rest similar pattern to the lower density housing east of Bookham/Fetcham. Good supply of of Bookham. The two villages blend into each straightforward family housing, in convenient other at Kennel Lane, but the character of the location for local services. housing to either side of the boundary is very Some good examples of 1930s and 1950s housing similar. design, with many original features retained. 7.4.2 Housing tends to follow a hierarchical layout, with Long back gardens discernible between buildings, more mature, lowest density housing along the contributing to a sense of spaciousness in an main through routes and a series of infill otherwise built-up street scene - particularly within developments and cul de sacs filling in between. Cannon Grove area. The majority of housing is detached and densities are medium to low. Good network of small green spaces - wide grass verges and informal greens incorporated into 7.4.3 Several 1930s properties are found along the housing layout. main through routes, and infill development has continued ever since, resulting in a wide variation Landscaping generally low key, but a good scatter of housing styles and periods. Much of the of medium to large specimen trees on streets and/ housing is typical of suburban development in or in front gardens. the south east of England and has little in the way of local distinctiveness. Good number and variety of well-supported local shops. 7.4.4 Some of the later developments have rather tortuous, cul de sac layouts, which can be Some pockets of rather mediocre housing design. disorientating for visitors. Tree cover is generous Lacks a strong sense of place - little local along through routes, such as Lower Road,

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7.4 Mole Valley Local Development Framework Development ValleyLocal Mole 7.4.7 7.4.6 7.4.5 Built up Areas Character Appraisal – Bookham and Fetcham and Bookham – Appraisal Character Areas up Built Lower density housing, The Glade The housing, density Lower co-exist in a harmonious manner.harmonious a in co-exist generally development of styles Contrasting housing. century 20th late built, well of examples good Interestingvariety in house design, including some gardens. private within treescover,maturetree Generous many including spaciousness. of sense strong a create to combine buildings between separation lateral and verges grass streets, Wide gardens. front maintained well behind back set often Houses Characteristics Key WestFetcham:

Alongthemain roads, buildings are often setback Onthe whole, developments have been of a fairly - high storeys two or one be to tend Dwellings givingthehousing pleasant,a green setting. moststreets have extensive front garden planting, oftengenerous. Grass verges are common and Evenonthemore minor roads, street widths are gardenlandscaping dominating thestreetscape. and treesmature with frontage, highway the from presentday, coexisting in a harmonious manner. styles,with a variety of styles from the 1930s to the housing of mixture a have to likely moreare routes withthat of the adjacent development. Through contrast to likely quite is which style, own their have homogenousdesign. Individual cul de sacs tend to of stretches few arethere and scale small roof. the to slate occasionally or render,tiles pale clay redor with brick red of be to tend dwellings traditional more and widely,older vary the materials although External pitched. universally almost are Roofs more.rarely landscaping. mature less with open, more arestreets residential secondary the of many but Ridgeway,The and Lane Kennel Road, Keswick

Supplementary Planning Document Planning Supplementary

7.5.3 7.5.2 7.5.1 7.5

very typical of “leafy” Surrey.“leafy” of typical very is spaciousness and cover tree of level although design, housing in distinctiveness local Little area. up built the throughout spaces open public small of Succession design. house of variety despite coherence of sense Houseplots mostly of regular size/spacing, creating a navigate, off the main through routes.through main the off navigate, to difficultarea makes which layouts, road tortuous rather some and landmarks distinctive Few South East Fetcham East South The houses on Hawks Hill, Guildford Road and Road Guildford Hill, Hawks on houses The Rookery of Hawk’sparts Mount, and The Hill The of east settlement, the of east south the In subservient to their landscape setting. landscape their to subservient appear houses the that effect the with buildings, the around and between both space generous is Therefrontage. the from back well set often are and gardens landscaped large in stand houses These 1930s. the from examples detailed well some including villas, detached striking particularly some for notable are Mount The Area. Character this characteristic overriding the is which environmentarcadian and spacious the recognise designations Both 2002. October in adopted statement policy separate a of subject the is Mount) The 2 and Road Cobham 33-35 Road, Lower (1-41 area further A 2000. Plan ValleyLocal Mole the of ENV17 Policy under Character Special of Area Residential a designated are Ridgeway The and Close bushes. and hedges trees, by screened often and back well set are Dwellings landscaping. well-established with gardensmature large, in stand and detached are Houses spacious. very is townscape the Road, Lower of south and Ridgeway Modern Infill, Bushey Road Bushey Infill, Modern Adopted February 2010 February Adopted 17

Built up Areas Character Appraisal – Bookham and Fetcham 7.5

The Mount Ridgeway Road Badingham Drive

7.5.4 Tree cover is generous throughout this part of 7.5.8 The Character Area adjoins open countryside on Fetcham, with tall, native trees reinforcing the the south side of Hawks Hill and on the north garden setting of the buildings. Hawks Hill and side of Cobham Road. It also benefits from the Guildford Road is particularly well endowed, with parkland setting to Fetcham Park House, on the many of the houses appearing to sit within a belt south side of Lower Road, where the Character of native woodland, which forms a pleasant, Area adjoins the historic village centre. gradual transition into the open countryside south of the settlement. The combination of generous landscaping and large plots results in a South East Fetcham: semi-rural environment which is widely Key Characteristics appreciated. Views between buildings to open garden land at the make a significant contribution Mature gardens, well landscaped with native trees to the quality of the townscape. and well-established hedges and shrubs.

7.5.5 Behind the frontages of the main through routes, Dwellings generally set well back from the road, there has been some modern infill, including a with generous space both between and around the substantial development at Badingham Drive. Some buildings, so that the houses appear subservient to of these newer developments are more open, with their landscape setting. front gardens laid to lawn and not screened from view. Dwellings are still detached and of generous Views between buildings to the open garden land size, but there is more homogeneity of design and behind make a positive contribution to the garden sizes are less generous. character of the streetscape - reinforcing the arcadian quality of the environment. 7.5.6 At the northern extent of the Character Area, Lower Road links open land at Fetcham Mill Most dwellings individually designed and including Pond to the north with the parkland grounds of some striking large villas, particularly on Hawks Fetcham Park House to the south. On the south Hill, Guildford Road and The Mount. Good side of the road, houses are detached, examples of traditional south east England designs generously spaced and sitting in mature gardens and materials. with extensive landscaping to the front and rear. Generous mature tree cover throughout the area, Those on the north are less widely spaced, but with a particularly strong belt of trees up Hawks Hill still have generous rear gardens, affording a and Guildford Road, forming a transition into open sense of openness through the area as a whole. countryside south of the settlement. Also a strong This is a transitional area between the two parkland environment at Fetcham Park House. adjacent Character Areas. Pleasant views towards open countryside, south of 7.5.7 Lower Road, Ridgeway Road and Hawk’s Hill are Hawks Hill and north of Cobham Road. through routes for local traffic, although all three are fairly lightly trafficked. There is very little Very little parking on the highway. Parked vehicles through traffic on The Mount. On street parking is often screened from view within properties, allowing rare throughout the Character Area and the lack the natural landscaping to be seen and appreciated. of parked vehicles allows natural landscaping to remain the dominant feature of the streetscape.

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Built up Areas Character Appraisal – Bookham and Fetcham 7.6

Open space at Fetcham Springs Mixed Development, Guildford Road Housing off Guildford Road

7.6 Fetcham/Leatherhead Fringe Fetcham/Leatherhead Fringe: 7.6.1 This is a small Character Area, identified Key Characteristics separately because of its clear contrast with the Mixed, higher density development including rest of South East Fetcham. Fetcham and housing with good pedestrian access to local Leatherhead meet at the River Mole corridor, shops and Leatherhead town centre. where the river, railway and roads intersect at a cluster of bridges. Tight knit built environment complemented by neighbouring areas of open space. 7.6.2 Within the Fetcham/Leatherhead fringe is a cluster of mixed residential, commercial and Good public access into large areas of open community uses, including several office space, separating the two settlements of Fetcham buildings, a parade of shops, the Fire Station and and Leatherhead. the Leatherhead Leisure Centre complex. There are small developments of modest, two storey Somewhat abrupt transition from highly spacious, semi-rural character of Hawks Hill into the much housing and flats at Elmer Mews and Elmer busier environment at the Guildford Road/Cobham Cottages and a further cul de sac of 1930s semi- Road junction. detached houses at Sunmead Close. Plot sizes are small and development is tight-knit. Modern, Important area of open space, accommodating three storey offices are a prominent element in sports and leisure uses, including Leisure Centre, the street scene and lead into the more urban, Football and Cricket Clubs, as well as footpaths mixed commercial environment of the providing access to the riverside, for recreational neighbouring part of Leatherhead. use and as a direct pedestrian route along the southern fringe of the town. 7.6.3 At the same time, this area provides access into two significant public open spaces: the Leisure Centre complex with its mix of sporting use and large, parkland grounds, and the pond and public footpaths at Fetcham Springs. The latter forms a popular pedestrian route connecting Fetcham and Leatherhead but separate from the busy highway junction at Guildford Road. The open spaces along and adjacent to the River Mole, between Fetcham and Leatherhead are important as a corridor for wildlife, breaching the belt of development east to west from Ashtead to Little Bookham and providing a bridge between the countryside to the north and the open landscapes of the Surrey Hills AONB to the south. They also provide a useful pedestrian route along the southern fringe of the town, used by residents and employees of the business uses in this area

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Built up Areas Character Appraisal – Bookham and Fetcham

Legend

Conservation Area Built Up Area Boundary

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Published by Mole Valley Local Development Framework November 2010

Mole Valley Local Development Framework