Supplementary Planning Document Built Up Areas Character Appraisal Leatherhead Adopted 23 February 2010 Mole Valley Local Development Framework 2 Built up Areas Character Appraisal – Leatherhead Contents 1.0 Background ................................................................................................3 2.0 Methodology ...............................................................................................3 3.0 Policy Context .............................................................................................4 4.0 Leatherhead Overview .................................................................................5 5.0 Landscape Setting ......................................................................................6 6.0 Town Centre and Riverside .........................................................................6 7.0 Railway Corridor .........................................................................................9 8.0 Business Parks .........................................................................................10 9.0 Leatherhead Common ..............................................................................10 10.0 Central Leatherhead ..................................................................................11 11.0 Southern Leatherhead ...............................................................................13 12.0 Reigate and Headley Roads ......................................................................14 Leatherhead Map ...................................................................................................15 Mole Valley Local Development Framework Supplementary Planning Document Adopted February 2010 3 Built up Areas Character Appraisal – Leatherhead 1.0 Background character of these locations and is integrated into 1.1 This is one of four Supplementary Planning its setting, rather than appearing as an isolated Documents which together provide a Character infill plot or an after thought. Appraisal of the five main built up areas in Mole 1.7 This need to relate new development to its Valley: Dorking, Leatherhead, Ashtead, Bookham context and setting is clearly recognised in and Fetcham. Bookham and Fetcham are National Planning Guidance, for example PPS1, contained in a single document. paragraph 34: “Design which is inappropriate in 1.2 The environmental quality of Mole Valley is highly its context, or which fails to take the valued by both local people and visitors. There is opportunities available for improving the wide diversity in built character across the character and quality of an area and the way it District, from historic rural villages to tight knit, functions, should not be accepted.”. historic town centres and leafy suburban areas. 1.7 The Built Up Areas Character Appraisal covers There are several Conservation Areas, but also the whole of each built up area, recognising that many other areas where the built up area has its every area has its own distinctive character. Some own, distinctive character. There are also areas locations have obvious townscape qualities, where improvements could be made. perhaps as a result of their historic origins or 1.3 Protection of the distinctive character of the particularly high standards of urban design. District has been a recurring theme during Others may be less distinctive. Nevertheless, preparation of the Core Strategy at the heart of every area has its own character, which forms the Mole Valley Local Development Framework. part of the mosaic that creates a distinctive built The purpose of these Character Appraisals is to environment within each settlement. set out the key characteristics of Dorking, 1.9 The analysis in this document will inform the Leatherhead, Ashtead, Bookham and Fetcham. preparation of Local Development Documents, They identify features that should be respected including the Land Allocations Development Plan and preserved, the landscape setting of each Document (DPD), and the determination of settlement, opportunities for enhancement and planning applications. By those means, it will vulnerability to change. help to ensure that the local distinctiveness of the 1.4 The Council is also producing a Landscape various parts of the District’s built up areas is Character Assessment, which acts as a recognised and reflected in development companion document, focussing on the wider proposals or land management. landscape, outside the built up areas. A Character Appraisal of the six Larger Rural 2.0 Methodology Villages identified in the Core Strategy is also 2.1 The Built Up Areas Character Appraisal has been being prepared Taken together, these prepared by the Council in partnership with local Assessments will provide an overview of the organisations. Each area was visited and character of the District’s environment - both extensive use made of aerial photography and 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 well that make each landscape or townscape as the Dorking and District Preservation Society, distinctive. Character is influenced by particular in order to incorporate their local perspective. combinations of visual, ecological, historical, built components and other intangible aspects. The 2.2 The Character Appraisals were published for character of an area and its surroundings plays public consultation between 30th October and an important role in quality of life. 27th November 2009. A number of amendments were made in light of comments raised. 1.6 The five built up areas covered by the Character Appraisal are the locations to which the majority 2.3 The completed Built Up Areas Character of development will be directed during the life of Appraisals were adopted as a Supplementary the Core Strategy. It is important to ensure that Planning Document by the Council at its meeting such development contributes to the established of 23 February 2010. Mole Valley Local Development Framework Supplementary Planning Document Adopted February 2010 4 Built up Areas Character Appraisal – Leatherhead Leatherhead town centre; Sculpture, buildings and Swan Shopping Centre 3.0 Policy Context Mole Valley will make provision for its share of the National Guidance Region’s growth of homes and jobs and provide for the needs of its communities but in a way that 3.1 Planning Policy Statement 1, Delivering Sustainable is sustainable, minimises significant harmful Development emphasises “good design” as an change to its distinctive character, environment intrinsic element of good planning. It states: Good and feel, and mitigates its impact on the causes design ensures attractive usable, durable and of climate change. The District’s natural, built and adaptable places and is a key element in achieving historic environment will be safeguarded and sustainable development. Good design is indivisible enhanced and communities will have safe, from good planning. (PPs1 para 33) convenient and sustainable access to the 3.2 The guidance goes on to place the notion of services and facilities they require. “good design” firmly in the context of an 3.6 This, in turn, reflects the Vision of the Community understanding of the existing character and Strategy 2006-2016 which is that ‘The needs of appearance of the locality in which new those who live and work in the District are met, the development takes place. PPS1 para 34 states: environment, prosperity and distinctive character of Design which is inappropriate in its context, or Mole Valley are sustained and problems that reduce which fails to take the opportunities available for the quality of life are tackled.’ improving the character and quality of an area and the way it functions, should not be accepted. 3.7 The high priority placed on protecting character is reflected in Goal 1 of the Core Strategy, which 3.3 In paragraph 36, Planning Authorities are is To safeguard and enhance the highly attractive encouraged to prepare robust policies on design and diverse natural, built and historic and access, which should be based on an environment of the District. understanding and evaluation of its present defining characteristics. And para 38 recognises 3.8 This applies most especially to areas covered by that it is proper to seek to promote or reinforce specific policy designations, but the Core Strategy local distinctiveness particularly where this is goes on to highlight that all areas have their own supported by clear plan policies or distinctive character, which needs to be understood supplementary planning documents on design. in order to be safeguarded and/or enhanced. The Strategic Objectives to achieve Goal 1 include 3.4 This Supplementary Planning Document expresses the Council’s understanding of the distinctive • To safeguard and enhance the built and characteristics of each of its main built up areas, historic environment of the District, including taking into account the views of local residents and the many listed buildings, conservation areas, other interested bodies. The SPD will, in turn, form archaeological sites and historic landscapes / a basis for policies on design and access, and act parks and gardens and the overall distinctive as a tool for assessing development proposals. character of Mole Valley’s towns and villages. Local Policy Context • “To ensure that