Community recreation space at Land Known As Nicols Field, Churt Road

What was proposed

The application proposed community recreation space with allotments, open space, an orchard, a new access and a 12-space car park.

“WA/2023/02761 – Change of use of the field to community recreation space, allotments, open space, and a community orchard and new vehicular access and car park. at LAND KNOWN AS NICOLS FIELD CHURT ROAD HINDHEAD”

“The application is for the change of use of the field to a community recreation space, comprising allotments, open space, and an orchard with a new vehicular access on Churt Road and a car park for 12 parking spaces, including one disabled space.”

Officer report

The site

The site is an approximately two-hectare open field beyond the settlement boundary, within the Surrey Hills National Landscape and a rural residential area.

“The application site comprises an open field of approximately 2 hectares (20,000 sq.m) in area located on the south side of Churt Road (A287) west of Hindhead and south of Beacons Hill beyond the settlement boundary designated in the Haslemere Neighbourhood Plan. The field is enclosed by boundary trees on all sides with timber fencing along the Churt Road frontage:”

“The site lies within the designated Surrey Hills National Landscape (formerly AONB). The wider area is primarily residential and rural in character.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier permissions covered stables and a fence, while a previous community recreation and sports proposal was withdrawn.

“Reference WA/2004/1707 Proposal Erection of Stables/Tack Room/Hay Store.”

“WA/2022/00829 Change of use of land to community recreation and sport including parking and associated works (Use Class F2 – Local Community Uses) Withdrawn 21/02/2023”

Officer report

Landscape and countryside

Officers considered the proposal would conserve and enhance the National Landscape through habitat creation, planting, biodiversity improvements and access to nature.

“The Surrey Hills Management Plan 2020-2025 (SHMP)sets out the vision for the management of the Surrey Hills National Landscape by identifying key landscape features that are the basis for the Surrey Hills being designated a nationally important National Landscape. Policy P6 states that " Development that would spoil the setting of the AONB by harming public views into or from the AONB will be resisted.”

“Officers consider that, on balance, the proposal would further the conservation and enhancement of the SHNL in terms of habitat creation, high quality new planting with ecological value, biodiversity enhancement as well as access to nature through direct means of entry to the site for health and wellbeing to meet the statutory duty.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The town council supported the allotments, while highways, drainage, wildlife and trees consultees raised no objection subject to conditions; the landscape adviser objected.

“No objection and comments that:- • It supports the implementation of allotments on the site • It would like issues raised by Surrey Highways to be resolved before permission is granted and will be writing to the local County Councillor to ask that 30mph speed limit is implemented in the stretch of road on which the entrance is situated…”

“SCC Highways (CHA) No objection. Conditions recommended.”

Officer report

Objections raised

Thirty-one representations objected on grounds including highway safety, parking, environmental effects, tree loss, biodiversity, visual impact, noise and future management.

“Traffic hazard/highway safety • Dangerous access for motorists and pedestrians on bend (40mph road). • Negative environmental impacts of allotments (waste/temporary structures) • Loss of trees – to form new access. • Loss of sitewide natural habitat for wildlife/biodiversity • Insufficient parking provision/displacement on local roads leading to congestion • Ground contamination from allotment use (waste and manure).”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector, a supporter, a town council representative and two ward councillors made representations under the public speaking scheme.

The committee vote

The committee voted in favour of the officers’ recommendation, with seven votes for, two against and one abstention.

“Following the debate, the Committee voted in favour of the officers’ recommendation to grant permission 7 in favour, 2 against and one abstention.”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was granted with delegated authority to complete a legal agreement, subject to fourteen conditions and ten informatives.

“Delegated authority is given to the Assistant Director of Planning to complete a s106 legal agreement and subject to conditions 1-14 and informatives 1-10, permission is GRANTED”

Minutes