Dorking Town Area Action Plan (AAP) Proposed Modifications Comments Form Consultation Period: Friday 28 th September to Friday 9 th November Consultation Information The Dorking Town Area Action Plan was subject to a public examination in July 2012 when the draft policies and proposals put forward were the subject of a public examination by a Planning Inspector. During the examination a small number of changes to the Plan were suggested. Mole Valley District Council is now inviting views on these. Following the close of the consultation period the Council will forward the Plan, including the changes and any comments made on them, to the Planning Inspector who will decide whether it is sound. Please make comments on the representation form below: (please use a separate form for each representation ) Comments on the Dorking Town Area Action Plan Modifications: DT Mod 2 proposed change: There are excellent views from many vantage points towards the North Downs, including Ranmore Common and Box Hill surrounding the town and of the church spire from within the town. Mole Valley Green Party response: Support this modification. We suggest it would be stronger if it said: There are excellent views from many vantage points towards the North Downs, including Ranmore Common, Denbies Hillside and Box Hill surrounding the town and of the church spire from within and from outside the town. DT Mod 4: The land at the rear of St. Martin’s Walk, which could include the Youth Centre including the former Public House, the Church Garden flats and existing car park is proposed to be developed for a new supermarket. Mole Valley Green Party response: The development area should exclude the youth centre and social housing at Church Gardens flats. The youth centre is a superb amenity for the young people of Dorking. A great deal of money and environmental resources has just been spent on it, and it would be wrong to demolish it. Similarly, the community at Church Gardens should not be evicted from their homes. Many people have lived there for years, and do not want to move from this convenient town-centre site. DT Mod 5: Access via Mill Lane and Improvements to its junction with the High Street to provide: i. improved visibility for all users and as a result improved safety for pedestrians crossing Mill Lane. Mole Valley Green Party response: Oppose. The ‘improvements’ to the junction should improve visibility for users. DT Mod 6: I n the event that the existing Youth Centre in Mill Lane is required to enable the delivery of a new supermarket, provision is made for a replacement of a youth facility which is at least equivalent to the Youth Centre that being planned in the former Malthouse Public House in advance of any development at the rear of St. Martin’s Walk to ensure that continuity of the youth service can be provided by the Surrey County Council. Mole Valley Green Party response: If the youth centre is relocated, it must be equivalent in terms of the facilities provided in the building, and outside in the games area. It must also be in an equally convenient place for the youngsters of Dorking to access. DT Mod 7: Ensure the setting and views of St. Martin’s Church are is safeguarded from all aspects. including the retention of views to the tower and spire. Mole Valley Green Party response: Support. The Dorking townscape is so beautiful because of the views of the church, and the countryside beyond. Both must be safeguarded. DT Mod 8: The amenities of Meadowbank recreation ground are not harmed and measures to enhance and introduce biodiversity within the allocated site, providing green linkages between St. Martin’s churchyard, the Pipp Brook and Meadowbank are incorporated within the scheme. Mole Valley Green Party response: Support. Green linkages are valuable for people too. We would like this modification to be strengthened thus: The amenities of and close to Meadowbank recreation ground, including the footpaths , are not harmed and measures to enhance and introduce biodiversity within the allocated site, providing green linkages between St. Martin’s churchyard, the Pipp Brook and Meadowbank are incorporated within the scheme. DT Mod 9: Provision of an appropriate amount of parking (in consultation with Surrey County Council) is incorporated in the scheme that is convenient, accessible and available to not only the new store but also to recognising that this car park will serve not only the new store but also the St. Martins Walk shopping centre and the many other town centre users, including St. Martins Church. Suitable arrangements to ensure the car park can be accessed outside normal shopping hours will need to be provided. Mole Valley Green Party response: Support DT Mod 11: Early studies showed expenditure capacity for an additional 3,215 sqm (net) convenience floorspace in the Plan area although the forecast sales densities of the proposed new Lidl store and other qualitative considerations indicate a higher level of convenience floorspace could be planned for. However, the precise amount of retail floorspace on this site and the split between convenience and comparison retail goods will emerge as detailed plans are progressed in accordance with the requirements of Policy DT 3 and in the light of progress in delivering the new Waitrose and Lidl stores. Mole Valley Green Party response: Oppose. The vision for Dorking should not be for additional supermarkets, which are very wasteful in environmental terms, but for a range of small businesses providing locally- and sustainably-sourced goods for Dorking residents and visitors. DT Mod 12: It should be noted that the junction of Mill Land and the High Street may have to be controlled through the use of traffic lights, the impact of which must be kept to a minimum. The consequences of improvements to the Mill Lane junction for the safety of pedestrian movement and access to bus stops and taxis in the High Street must be taken into account and appropriate safety measures introduced if required. Mole Valley Green Party response: Support. Town-centre bus stops and taxi rank are essential to Dorking . DT Mod 26: Target – No loss in Increase the overall amount of identified green infrastructure . Mole Valley Green Party response: Support. Please return the comments form to the Council by Friday 9 th November either by: Email at: [email protected] Post: Planning Policy Department Mole Valley District Council Pippbrook Dorking Surrey RH4 1SJ.