Tandridge Local Plan 2016 � Threat to Farthing Downs

Consulation on the Tandridge Plan ended 26 February 2016
Thank you to all our members who put in personal objections.

Tandridge District Council are consulting on their Local Plan which includes proposed housing developments on many Green Belt sites.

Of particular concern is the site of the Surrey National Golf Club in Chaldon where proposals suggest 1,076 houses could be sited.

FoFD objects to this possible development on the following grounds:

1. Development of this site would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt and in particular would be inappropriate in its proximity to Happy Valley, a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

2. Traffic generated by development of this site would include a large element of rat-running and in particular possible heavy use of the adjacent Ditches Lane past Chaldon Church and across Farthing Downs. This route would no doubt be preferred over a) the B2031 and the difficult junction on to the A23 and b) the Coulsdon Road/B2030 which runs through Caterham on the Hill and is already heavily trafficked.

Ditches Lane is a narrow lane entirely unsuitable for use as a through route. It passes the internationally renowned Chaldon Church (it is mentioned in the Domesday book and it houses the famous twelfth-century wall painting on its west wall). Ditches Lane then meanders through Green Belt and across Farthing Downs which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and has Ancient Scheduled Monument status to protect the Saxon burial mounds, Celtic field boundaries and Neolithic track-ways. The roadway passes over the field boundaries (which are not, as many people assume, modern road humps) which would deteriorate under heavy traffic. Development of the proposed site, assuming the Green Belt objections are overcome, would require extensive road improvements and severely restricted access over Farthing Downs.

You may wish to send your own response to Tandridge's consultation.

Respond on line or write to: Tandridge Local Plan, 8 Station Road East, Oxted RH8 0BT

The closing date is 26 February 2016.

See: Surrey National Golf Club proposal and map

and: http://www.tandridge.gov.uk/Planning/planningpolicy/emergingpolicy/localplan.htm

and: http://www.tandridge.gov.uk/Tandridge%20District%20Council/Local%20Plan/HELAAAppendix3%20(2).pdf

Page updated 14/02/2016