CPRE Surrey Districts

"Guildford District has the highest CPRE membership in Surrey with strong support in most Parish Councils and close links with many Residents Associations and Amenity Groups.

• CPRE has played an important leadership role in helping to defend the character of the town of Guildford with its historic heart, green approaches, and surrounding countryside of the highest quality. A key element in this ongoing battle is the maintenance of the Metropolitan Green Belt with its emphasis on openness and in the prevention of urban sprawl and ribbon development.
• CPRE is an active champion of the nationally important countryside that makes up the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and of Great Landscape Value. There is an advisory member from Guildford representing CPRE on the Surrey Hills Board which is fully committed to the protection and enhancement of beauty spots such as Newlands Corner, St Martha's Hill, Chantry Woods and Pewley Down on the immediate borders of the county town.
• CPRE is a stakeholder in consultations on many planning issues including the development of an integrated traffic management plan for Guildford and the question as to where Park & Ride sites should be located in order to ensure that they operate effectively and without excessive cost or environmental damage. Our members have been heavily engaged with consultation on the draft South East Plan or Spatial Strategy for the next 20 years, and oppose the proposal, made in the Panel Report on the Examination in Public, for a 31% increase in house building in the District. We think that a development target of this scale will threaten the character and setting of Guildford and its surrounding villages with an outcome of Green Belt erosion, settlement coalescence and loss of community and rural identity. The failure of the government to allow for the adequate provision of infrastructure to support proposed economic growth plans for Guildford as a "Regional Hub" is in our opinion irresponsible and unsustainable.
• CPRE has also had a strong participatory role in consultations on the Surrey Minerals and Waste Plans mobilising strong arguments against proposals for both a quarry at Eashing and an incinerator at Wisley. We welcome inquiries from anyone who is interested in the voluntary work that we do, and the extent of our activity relates closely to the size of our membership, the generosity of our supporters and the dedication of our activists. We are determined that planning decisions should be reached through a democratic process and on a local basis with a major priority placed on quality of life and environmental sustainability. "

Epsom and Ewell District is located on the south west boundary of London. The District is predominantly residential and includes substantial amounts of open space, including large areas such as Nonsuch Park and the Hogsmill River within the urban fabric, and open areas such as Epsom Common, the RAC Club, Horton Country Park, Horton Park Country Club, the Hook Road Arena, the Northey Estate and Priest Hill in East Ewell and, of course, Epsom Downs which lie within the Metropolitan Green Belt. Epsom and Ewell consistently ranks among the best places to live in the UK.

The District has already seen what amounts to a New Town under construction over the past few years on the sites of the five now disused hospitals to the north west of Epsom Town Centre – the Hospital Cluster. Nevertheless, the amended draft South East Plan proposes that almost two hundred additional homes should be provided in the District each year for the next twenty years. It is possible that this amount of additional housing can be accommodated on so-called “brownfield” sites, which have previously been built on, without requiring the loss of any Green Belt, assuming that past rates of “windfall” development are maintained into the future.

However, any Government proposals to increase still further the rate of house building in the District are likely to result in significant threats to the Green Belt and/or to other open spaces in Epsom and Ewell. Areas of Green Belt in the District which could be particularly vulnerable to development pressures include Priest Hill and the North Looe Estate, between the Reigate and Banstead Roads south east of Ewell Village; the Northey Estate near to Howell Hill in East Ewell; Horton Farm, within the Hospital Cluster area; the land between the RAC Club and Ashley Road, including The Durdans, south of Epsom Town Centre; the area south of Epsom College on either side of Burgh Heath Road; and the land on either side of the eastern section of College Road between Longdown Lane and Reigate Road.

Other issues of concern to CPRE in Epsom and Ewell District include litter and fly-tipping in open areas, the management of private open land, particularly on sites where land owners may believe there could be prospects of relaxing Green Belt restrictions on development in the future, the protection and enhancement of sites of nature conservation interest, helicopter noise, particularly that originating from commercially operated helicopters flying out of Battersea Heliport, and maintaining the amenity and wildlife importance of private gardens. A specific issue is whether the accelerated rates of house building anticipated in the South East Plan can be accommodated on “brownfield” sites without unacceptable impacts on the gardens of larger properties.

Elmbridge, on the fringes of London, comprises a number of individual towns and villages, which are separated by open spaces that are within the metropolitan Green Belt. These communities, many of architectural and or historical interest, add to the attractiveness of the Borough. In addition to the built environment, the Borough is fortunate in possessing invaluable resources of commons, woodland, riverscapes and farmland.  On the northern fringe of the Borough the River Thames provides an attractive and valuable resource whilst rivers, including the Mole and Wey run through the landscape to enter the Thames at Molesey and Weybridge.

Two national primary routes pass through Elmbridge, the M25 and the A3, whilst the M3 is located to the northwest and Heathrow airport is in close proximity.  Coupled with good passenger rail links to central London this attractive location has proved popular to a wide variety of individuals and businesses-the local economy is strong whilst commuting plays an important part in the Borough’s life.

However the beneficial features and location of Elmbridge also have disadvantages –there are immense pressures for development which threaten not only the character of the existing residential areas but also the open areas within and surrounding the urban areas.

These development pressures have and continue to adversely affect local infrastructure including, traffic and congestion levels. Continual high levels of commuting have increased congestion.  House prices are among the highest in the country, forcing the young, single or less affluent people to move out of the area. As in other areas of the County there is an acute shortage of affordable housing and an imbalance in housing types, resulting in a socio economic imbalance.

Whilst Elmbridge has extensive urban areas and a large population, the third highest in the County, it is often not appreciated that some 57% of the total area is Green Belt- somewhat fragmented in the north, but more widespread and open in the south and central parts of the Borough. The Council have always placed a very high priority on its protection and since it was established there have been very few changes, even though there have been constant and increasing pressures. It is very likely that with the need to provide for large increases in population in the next 20 years the Green Belt will be under ever increasing pressure.

Within its open areas Elmbridge possesses many attractive areas including the wide belt of commons and heaths that are heavily used by local people. The River Thames and its immediate environs is another valuable attractive recreational asset that however is under threat from unsympathetic development proposals. To the south there is the nationally known Painshill Park.

It is not only the Green Belt that will be under great pressure but also the attractive urban areas of the various communities from Molesey, Walton and Weybridge in the north to Cobham, Claygate and Oxshott in the south. Already attractive areas of mature housing have been lost and replaced by higher density housing that accords with current planning policy. One of the unfortunate recent trends has been the spread of luxury flat developments that have comprehensively altered the character of some areas.  Although perhaps the attractiveness of flat redevelopment has subsided to some extent, government policy for increased housing densities has not altered. There will be further changes and challenges to the established urban fabrics in the coming years.

Elmbridge is included in the sub region of the South East Plan called the “London fringe” This area has been identified as an area of growth in the next 20 years. Although not subject to the levels of growth of towns such as Guildford, Woking and Redhill it is clear that the future will bring considerable growth and many development challenges to the Borough that could adversely affect the area as it is today.

Planning Applications known.

• The Motorway service area (MSA) at Downside on the M25 although having already obtained planning permission in outline has important details still to be decided that will affect the extent it dominates the surrounding area and Downside village.
• There is an application to redevelop the Jolly Boatman site in Molesey, on the River Thames adjacent to Hampton Court Palace and bridge. Present proposals are considered too large and would if approved appear intrusive in the existing townscape and riverside setting.
• There are plans to replace the small existing hotel at Sandown Park racecourse with a large new complex containing over 100 rooms. This is a Green Belt area immediately adjacent to the Town centre and already congested High Street.
• The plans for a replacement Walton Bridge have still not been finalised after the rejection by the Inspector of the County Council’s previous proposal. There is a need for the final plans to place more emphasis on the surrounding open area of Cowey Sale.

The Mole Valley District seems always to be in the front line! There are always proposals coming forward for development in the sensitive urban areas of Dorking and Leatherhead, often inappropriate. Sand deposits in the district are both an asset and a liability. There is a proposal for a huge extension of an existing quarry at Brockham, presenting major conservation issues, as well as a significant threat to underground water reserves, because of the large amount of water used for washing sand.

To the south, the agreed embargo on a second runway at Gatwick expires in 2019, which already doesn't seem far away. There will be local issues to be considered, and the effect of a second runway on global warming is bound to make this a major battle.

In the south of the District, the inclusion of a waste incineration facility at Capel in the Surrey Waste Plan was energetically fought at an Examination in Public last autumn, but to no avail. Mole Valley Group will be supporting the Capel residents in opposing the planning application.

Reigate and Banstead is long, narrow borough, bordering on the London Borough of Sutton to the North and Gatwick to the South. It is split into 2 by the M25. To the North are a number of small settlements which rely on the main centre of Banstead for day to day services. To the South of the motorway are the main centres of Redhill and Reigate, the latter retaining much of its historic core. Further South, on the boundary with Sussex, is the expanding settlement of Horley.

There are pressures for infill development over the whole district and large houses on sizeable plots are being lost to either blocks of flats or small cul de sac of detached dwellings. As a result, there are concerns on the changing character of the residential areas, the loss of bio diversity and the inadequate infrastructure, particularly highway congestion and poor health services.

The Borough has the highest allocation for new housing in Surrey, as proposed in the Panel’s report into the South East Plan, and, as a result, there could be a loss of Green Belt land and increasing harm to the character of existing towns and villages.

Redhill, together with Reigate, is designated as a ‘hub’ where economic and residential growth is proposed. Despite the Council’s optimistic forecasts, CPRE Surrey has serious doubts as to whether it can ever seriously rival nearby Croydon and Crawley, and play a major role as a regional centre. Nevertheless, there are concerns that there will be losses of Green Belt land on its borders, particularly to the south-east of the town, to accommodate some of the required growth.

Major residential development is progressing on the northern side of Horley despite concerns by local residents and CPRE on the dangers of flooding and the adequacy of the highway infrastructure.

Even discounting the threat of a second runway at Gatwick, the number of flights is forecast to increase, aggravating the existing problems of noise, air pollution and traffic.

To the North of the M25, all the residents’ associations have complained to the Council at the scale of insensitive residential infill and lack of infrastructure to support the increasing number of households. Meetings are being held to work out priorities. A major concern is the lack of an overall planning framework and the delays in preparing the Core Strategy.

We welcome the Council’s strong policies on retaining the Green Belt, and support them at appeals, but are concerned that, with the high housing targets for this Borough, there will be ever increasing pressures for development. The Green Belt is at its narrowest in this part of Surrey and it is essential that it is retained in the most vulnerable areas around Banstead in the North, along the M23 corridor and to the S.E. of Redhill.

We welcome a report by Chris Burnett and Partners, which has been commissioned by Surrey County Council, the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and by district councils containing Areas of Great Landscape Value (AGLV), (including Reigate and Banstead) into whether AGLV lands should be re-designated. In our district the AONB is at its most narrow and we strongly support the report’s recommendation that large areas of countryside around Walton, Kingswood and Chipstead should be given the enhanced protection of AONB designation. The matter is currently with English Nature and we will continue to press for the recommendations to be implemented.

Some 13 local residents’ associations in the district are members of CPRE Surrey and a number are represented on our District Committee. We would like more volunteers to help with the work and are currently searching for a secretary to write up the minutes so please help if you are interested.
For more information, please contact our chairman, Gary Whitworth, on 01293 823921 if you live in the southern part of the Borough or Gillian Hein on 01737 355206 if you live North of the M25.

Within the Borough of Runnymede, there are many historical areas including parts of Windsor Great Park and the region alongside the Thames where the Magna Carta was signed.  When looking at Runnymede on a map, it looks largely green with seemingly small, scattered residential areas.  However, many of these green regions are under increasing threat of development, along with other areas within the South East of England.  The north-east side of our Borough abuts Staines and of course, Heathrow Airport and so is affected by all the planned alterations to the terminals and runways.  We have two major motorways running through the Borough, the M25 and the M3, both of which are extremely busy and traffic volume is likely to increase as the airport gets larger.  The new AirTrack rail link from the airport is also set to spread through parts of Runnymede.

Many parts of Runnymede are under pressure for minerals extraction, particularly the area around Virginia Water and Egham.  This same area is also under threat of a waste transfer station and/or incinerator.  Other regions such as Addlestone and in particular, Rowtown, seem to be a major target for housing developers.  Rowtown is on a hill and just outside the SPA (Special Protection Area) for the major commons in this region, such as Chobham, Horsell and Wisely. Developers are targeting the larger Victorian homes for demolition in order to build smaller properties or blocks of flats.  Many of our areas are losing their identity as well gardens for wildlife, in order to fuel the housing boom.

Other areas of our Borough - in particular Chertsey - are affected by flood plain.  Much of Chertsey has been 'revitalised' with new homes being built which should be capable of withstanding flood water, should the rivers (in particular the Thames and Bourne) rise in the future.

Much of our Borough is worth preserving. The green areas are mainly farmland, which offers habitat for wildlife.  The Meads at Chertsey is a large area of meadow land with the Thames on one side and the River Bourne on the other.  There are many species of birds found on the Meads, in particular the Skylark.  St Anne's Hill at Lyne is another beautiful region where visitors can stand at the top and look towards Wembley Stadium, or watch the aeroplanes taking off and landing at the airport.  Chobham Common is a large area, part of which is within Runnymede and offers recreational space to residents.  The historical areas, such as Windsor and Virginia water, attract visitors to our Borough.  Most of these areas are already protected but the smaller areas of natural green space, such as parks and open areas also need protection.  These small green regions mean local people do not have to travel to make use of recreational areas and are just as important as the larger, protected areas known for their history. 

Our Borough offers a wide variety of homes from small flats to large mansions but the green spaces in-between mean that all of us, are able to access local recreation areas and see nature in all its splendour.  We can watch the seasons change in woodland areas, see new born animals in the Spring, hear a wonderful variety of birdsong, observe a large variety of birds from skylarks to kingfisher.  Also if we are very lucky, we can see moles and weasels, rabbits and deer all within our local open spaces.  We have an abundant history with Royal Connections in areas such as Windsor, Virginia Water and Chertsey, where there is an old Monastery and a museum, which gives visitors an insight into the history of the region. Every part of our Borough is worth preserving, not only for our wellbeing and recreational needs but also for the wildlife which share this area and make it an area worth living in and preserving.