FOR SALE – Amlets Lane

FOR SALE – Amlets Lane

Despite the promises of 40% affordable homes and local homes for local people, the pristine green field site that abuts an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) on Amlets Lane seems to be up for sale to the highest bidder!

We have written to Jonathan Harbottle, the agent working on behalf of the Roberts family requesting further details and will let you know his response if and when it arrives. You can see the original planning application on the Waverley Planning Portal.

Amlets Lane Cranleigh Site for sale advert Henry Adams

Crest Nicholson meeting with the Cranleigh Society

Crest Nicholson meeting with the Cranleigh Society

Representatives of the Cranleigh Society, Liz Townsend and Richard Bryant, met Crest Nicholson in the Snoxhall car park at midday on Tuesday 10 March 2015.

Ben Sherreard (Cratus PR Company), Sarah Conlan (Crest Strategic Projects) and Paul Stewart (Engineer) from Mayer Brown attended representing Crest Nicholson (The Chantries site off the Horsham Road, Cranleigh).

The Crest representative confirmed that The Chantries site was stage 1 of the build with stage 2 to follow with an additional 100 dwellings.  Rumours circulating of a further stage 3 were stated to be untrue.

Flood Risk at the Chantries, Horsham Road

The Crest representative stated that the Horsham Road was the most sustainable of the major sites being proposed, as it is at lower risk of flooding (flood zone 2) than Berkeley Homes – The Maples and the Knowle Park Initiative- West Cranleigh Nurseries (both with areas in flood zone 2 and 3, 3 being the highest risk). We pointed out that it could increase flooding to adjacent properties in Nightingales, however Crest said they would be reducing this risk with their Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDS).  When questioned the Engineer was not aware that adjacent homes relied on electrically pumped culverts.

We commented that the RPS Report (independent drainage survey carried out on behalf of Waverley Borough Council) was very disappointing and had not checked the water run-off rates calculated on behalf of Crest Nicholson and no site visit had been carried out, this was agreed by Paul Stewart (Engineer) from Mayer Brown.  Paul Stewart confirmed that he used the SuDS manual to calculate run-off rates for the Crest site. He also confirmed that he would get the rainfall data from the Environment Agency for the last high rainfall events in Cranleigh in November 2014 and January 2015 and ensure that there would be adequate storage in the proposed SuDS for this type of rainfall event. Provision for multiple events had not been accommodated in the calculations and the run-off is based only on phase 1 of the build with 149 dwellings.

Sarah Conlan also stated that Crest Nicholson would not be responsible for the maintenance of the ditch that runs between existing properties and the proposed new housing estate.  Although historically this has been maintained by the Vachery Estate.

This news is of huge concern to residents who are extremely worried that unmaintained this culvert will increase the risk of flooding to their homes.  Also lack of maintenance could result in a blockage and build up in run off from the Vachery Estate and even Vachery Pond.  Any breach of the pond which is a 900m long reservoir would obviously be a catastrophic flood event for the whole of Cranleigh.

Picture of Vachery Pond Cranleigh

We have been advised by the Environment Agency that records of flooding on agricultural land, like the Chantries site, are not robust as flooding on agricultural land is not usually reported. We know however, from local accounts, that significant surface water does flow down the hill and currently collects at the bottom north west corner of the site (flood zone 2).  It is crucial that the drainage ditch running along the northern edge of the site remains maintained. Who will be liable if flooding occurs from this source?  We are aware that riparian ownership is a complex area and we suggest that neighbouring properties look into government guidance on this.

A management company will be appointed and will be responsible for public areas and the maintenance of the drainage system.  The rough charge per household was unknown, however we have asked Crest to provide this to us.  Crest Nicholson did confirm that they would top up the maintenance fees whilst the estate was not at full occupancy.

Sustainable Transport

The Crest Nicholson Transport Report for The Chantries states that there is adequate capacity in our road system and Surrey Highways are satisfied with their transport study.  In line with our objections they have recognised that the road is not wide enough for a pedestrian refuge in the middle of the Horsham Road at this point.

It appears that there is not to be any pavement for residents walking from the housing estate and turning immediately left out on to the Horsham Road towards the village. Crest Nicholson are proposing that residents come out of the access road and turn right, walking away from the village, before then crossing the Horsham Road. They then need to walk down to Avenue Road and cross the road again if they want to get to the nearest bus stop.

In reality we feel that residents will cross opposite (what is now) the house called Dalcarnie (with limited vehicle visibility) on the Horsham Road or turn left and walk on the grass verge – and the road itself where there is no verge. We consider this to be dangerous and unsuitable as a pedestrian access for this number of houses. Should Crest get permission for phase 2 and an additional 100 houses, there will be residents from 249 homes using this crossing point, including many school children who will already have a considerable distance to walk to their school and the temptation to cut even a small bit off that journey we think will be considerable.

With regard to the question of sustainable transport Crest pointed out that there is a bus stop just outside the site on the Horsham Road (with no direct pavement route to it) and contributions will be provided for the bus service, we have asked them how long this will be provided. This is at a time when Surrey is looking to reduce their own contributions to rural bus services. We remain unconvinced that residents from this housing estate will use the bus and not their cars.

Affordable Housing Provision

It was confirmed that the affordable housing would be built in tandem with market housing at certain trigger points. The percentage of affordable housing was quoted at 30%. They have no influence over the type of affordable housing and the split between affordable rents (80% of market value) and shared ownership. They did say that they had a housing association interested in taking this part of the build on.  Commercial viability for Crest Nicholson (26% profit) and for the housing association can significantly affect the number of affordable houses on a site and the mix of those properties.

The Downslink footpath

Crest Nicholson confirmed Improvements to the Downslink (the proposed alternative footpath and cycle path into the village) will be entirely decided by Waverley and has not yet been outlined.  It was suggested that hoggin would be laid, however no lighting  had been proposed.   Any lighting would negatively affect other homes backing on to the downslink and also wildlife.

Access footpath via Downslink Cranleigh The Chantries

Thames Water infrastructure

Crest Nicholson are awaiting a further response from Thames Water, however they confirmed that a Grampian agreement was not going to be imposed and that works would be in tandem with development.  Thames Water have confirmed that Cranleigh’s infrastructure is inadequate to cater for new development.

We have a number of outstanding queries with Crest Nicholson and will keep you informed of developments.  In the meantime if you want to object to this development you can still submit your comments on the Waverley Planning portal and we have further details on The Chantries Horsham Road on our website too.

Cranleigh Society Public Meeting

Cranleigh Society Public Meeting

The very first Cranleigh Society meeting proved to be a great success with over 100 residents attending. The evening provided the perfect opportunity for the Society to explain to the community and to our growing membership the reasons why Cranleigh was being overwhelmed by speculative planning applications, what areas we were currently concentrating on and also what our aims were for the future.

After several requests a copy of the presentation is provided below. If you have any queries please do just get in touch.

Royal Sun Alliance meets with Cranleigh Society

Royal Sun Alliance meets with Cranleigh Society

Liz Townsend and Richard Bryant had a high level meeting on Thursday 19 February with Royal Sun Alliance (RSA) in Horsham, who were aware of pressure from developers to build on sites with high flood risk.

We discussed the remit of the Environment Agency (EA), which covers flooding from rivers and seas (fluvial) and the fact that the EA, as statutory consultee, can only object to applications on these grounds. In the case of the Cranleigh sites, the EA had strongly recommended that flood risk from surface and ground water should be investigated by Waverley Borough Council. The EA themselves have acknowledged the limitations of their flood maps for agricultural land, as they rely on instances of reported flooding to shape these and reports are invariably not made when green fields suffer a flood event.

Environment Agency Statistics for fluvial and surface water flooding

RSA confirmed that their own flood modelling is based on many tools and data sources and that they have no appetite for insuring new properties built on flood plains and would consider ruling out entire estates if this was the case. This was an area that insurance companies were already discussing at government level in light of the FloodRe scheme, which only covers houses built prior to 1 Jan 2009.  In applying this cut-off date the insurance industry as a whole is avoiding incentivising unwise building in known high flood risk areas.

RSA also echoed our concerns about the lack of inspection, maintenance and adoption of sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) such as those planned for the sites in Cranleigh. We both welcomed Eric Pickles’s statement on 18 December confirming that local planning authorities should consult the relevant lead local flood authority, in our case Surrey County Council, on the management of surface water with effect from 6 April 2015. However we recognised that 1,000s of new homes will have already been built, have had planning approved or applied for, where the SuDS have not been inspected, where no maintenance plans exist and without which the SuDS  could become an additional source of flood risk for communities in the future.  Planning for SuDS failure, as demonstrated at the Crest Nicholson site in Leverstock Green, is extremely important.

RSA  also stressed the human aspect of flooding and the misery this causes.  Not only is it an extremely frightening situation at the time, after flood water enters people’s homes, which inevitably also contains raw sewage, it is not unusual for people to be out of their homes for a year or more.  In this time they may have to be housed away from their community, in a house or flat where there may be restrictions for pets, is situated far away from their childrens’ schools and also parents’ places of work.  It is an extremely unsettling situation for the entire family and the nightmare of flooding in a high risk area is ever present.

It was an extremely productive meeting and our efforts in informing our community about the very real risk of unmaintained SuDS, together with the fact that new residents will not automatically get flood insurance cover were applauded by RSA.

This is an area that more and more people will unfortunately become familiar with in the forthcoming years.

 

 

Cranleigh Society Objection Letter for Berkeley Homes

Cranleigh Society Objection Letter for Berkeley Homes

Just wanted to thank all of our supporters once again for your help in getting the Berkeley Homes, The Maples application refused last week.

To get such a majority of Waverley’s Joint Planning Committee (JPC) Members voting for a refusal was an amazing achievement!

Members have been asking to see a copy of the letter the Cranleigh Society sent to the JPC Members:

This went off with Appendices, including a selection of the flooding photographs you have been sending in.

You have made a difference!

Don’t forget the Cranleigh Society Community Meeting 19th February 7pm in the Band Room.

Berkeley Homes  – The Maples Planning Application

Berkeley Homes – The Maples Planning Application

UPDATE 24 May 2017WA/2017/2160 REFUSED Berkeley Homes approval of reserved matters for Phase 1 of the site for the erection of 55 dwellings following the Outline Approval for the erection of up to 425 dwellings, a community facility and informal open space (WA/2016/1625) (as amended by plans and documents received 06/02/2017 and 08/02/2017 and letter received 17/02/2017).


UPDATE 10 November 2016 – Berkeley Homes submit Phase 1 development application Ref WA/2016/2160


UPDATE 22 August 2016 – Berkeley Homes apply to vary conditions on their planning application. This is under a new application number – Berkeley Homes application to vary planning conditions WA/2016/1625


UPDATE – Appeal Upheld, permission granted 31 March 2016


 

UPDATE – Appeal Decision due by 8 April 2016


UPDATE: Appeal starts at Waverley Borough Council Offices 2 February 2016 at 10am for FOUR DAYS. Public Welcome. You do not need to attend every session. Please come if you can.

The Cranleigh Society has submitted evidence to the Appeal and this has been accepted by the Inspector who has now agreed to look at the flood risk on the site and the potential misapplication of what is called the Sequential Test, this refers to the way sites are rated in terms of flood risk. The appeal documents are now available on the Waverley Borough Council website

You need to click on the Plans and Documents button. Occasionally you may get an error warning after clicking on this button, however we have found if you use your Back arrow button in your browser and then click on the same button again the list of documents usually loads.

We hope to see you at the Appeal.


UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2015 Berkeley Homes Appeal has now been registered with the Planning Inspectorate please submit your objections directly to them:

PLEASE NOTE DEADLINE DATE FOR COMMENTS 28th SEPTEMBER 2015
Waverley has now formally notified residents (that previously commented on the application) of the Berkeley Homes Appeal to build 425 houses on Land immediately South of the High Street Between Alfold Road and Knowle Lane Cranleigh. The appeal starting date is 17th AUGUST 2015.

You can now make further comments and submit a new objection if you haven’t written before.

You should write direct (please send 3 copies if possible) to:

Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/26, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN

by 28th September 2015 – quoting the Appeal reference number which is:
Planning Inspectorate Reference: APP/R3650/W/15/3129019
Application Reference: WA/2014/0912
Appellant’s name: Berkeley Strategic Land Limited

UPDATE JULY 2015 Berkeley Homes has appealed Waverley’s decision to refuse planning permission. Email or write to your MP Anne Milton and Say “Cranleigh says NO to Berkeley Homes”.

Always include your FULL NAME AND ADDRESS in your email or letter.

Anne Milton MP anne.milton.mp@parliament.uk

Constituency Address:
17a Home Farm, Loseley Park, Guildford, GU3 1HS

PLEASE COPY IN YOUR CRANLEIGH PARISH COUNCILLORS TOO

List of Cranleigh Parish Councillors:

Cranleigh East:
Stewart Stennett – stewart.stennett@waverley.gov.uk;
Jeanette Stennett – jeanette@stennetts.com ;
Rosemary Burbridge – roburbridge@aol.com ;
Gareth Emmett – gareth@cranleighscientific.co.uk ;
Howard Wagstaff – howardwagstaff@yahoo.co.uk

Cranleigh West:
Brian Ellis – brian.ellis@waverley.gov.uk ;
Patricia Ellis – patricia.ellis@waverley.gov.uk ;
David Gill – davidgill46@aol.com ;
Dominique McAll – domini.mcall@gmail.com

Cranleigh North:
Mary Foryszewski – mary.foryszewski@waverley.gov.uk

Elmbridge:
Robert Wilson – RAW@cranleigh.org

Cranleigh Rural:
Liz Townsend – liz.yourcranleigh@gmail.com

END OF UPDATE

Original Article:
Waverley Joint Planning Committee Meeting Webcast 5 Jan 2015 available here on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM0KP9x130M

After the last minute deferment in October, there was another surprising turnaround when the Secretary of State intervened in the Berkeley Homes planning application, following a request from Cranleigh Parish Councillor Ken Reed concerning flooding on The Maples site, reference WA/2014/0912. Eric Pickles directed the council NOT to grant permission on this site without his specific authorisation.

Letter to Waverley from DCLG outling Secretary of State holding position

Cranleigh Society members have been working day and night for the past couple of weeks gathering robust evidence to protect Cranleigh from the inappropriate dumping of houses on our green fields – a point reiterated by the Chairman Brian Ellis towards the end of the Joint Planning Committee meeting on Monday.

The Cranleigh Community have said NO we will not bear the brunt of Waverley Borough Council’s housing target and failed Local Plan and we WILL be heard.

After a lengthy and lively debate, Members of the Waverley Joint Planning Committee proceeded by a huge majority of 15 to 5 (1 abstaining) to reject the application outright.

Thank you to our Parish Councillors Ken Reed, Mary Foryszewski, Stewart Stennett, Patricia Ellis and Brian Ellis for defending our community from this speculative application.

However this is not necessarily the end as Berkeleys may well appeal. We still need your support!

Join Us and fight for our village.

Further details of the Application can be found here.

Together We Can Make a Difference!