It is not just Alfold residents and village leaders that are opposed to the latest Thakeham Homes application.
The Campaign for the Preservation of Rural England is backing the local fight to protect yet another slice of the Surrey/Sussex border village of Alfold being swamped by wannabe housing developers.
Here’s WW’s previous post – Thakeham ’s battle to build in Alfold has begun.
According to the countryside organisation – this Application goes against everything in both Local Plan Part 1 and the emerging Local Plan Part 2.
The CPRE have made their views known in no uncertain terms.
“WA/2020/1684
Thakeham Homes Application to build 99 dwellings (Including 30% Affordable Housing) associated highways and landscape works following the demolition of Hollyoak. On land THE TO REAR COORDS 503762 135006 LOXWOOD ROAD ALFOLD.
CPRE Surrey has considered the above application and wishes to record its objection to the grant of permission for the following reasons.
Harm to the Character of Alfold and the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside.
Alfold, including Alfold Crossroads, is an attractive village which lies in the heart of the beautiful” fold” countryside on the Surrey / West Sussex border with its cluster of small villages and many period houses. This countryside is attractive and relatively remote: in some ways, it is a quintessential English rural landscape. The proposed development would significantly impact the rural settlement of Alfold Crossways increasing the existing 200 plus dwellings to in excess of 300 households.
The scale of the proposed housing development would cause substantial harm to the character of the village; it would not respect the scale or character of the village and would fail to respect the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside. It would therefore conflict with LPP1 and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF.)
Sustainable Transport
Development of the proposed scale would create a significant demand for movement on the local road network. The A281 has been recognised as one of the main transport congestion hotspots in Waverley and would be one of the main routes for new residents in Alfold Crossroads to access major shopping centres, rail hubs and places of work.
Residents in rural Waverley have above the national average car ownership and limited access to other more sustainable forms of transport. Local Plan Part 2 ( LPP2) (emerging) reinforces this in paragraph 2.55
“The spatial vision and strategic objectives of Local Plan Part 1 seek to encourage sustainable modes of transport and a reduction in the need to
travel wherever possible. Reducing people’s reliance on driving by directing new development to sustainable locations…..”
Even THAMES WATER Don’t seem happy with this application – But their hands are tied as they have to provide their services for New Builds and all they can do is put in Conditions which many Developers, later on, seek to have removed (as we have seen on previous Applications..)
Waste Comments
Following initial investigations, Thames Water has identified an inability of the existing FOUL WATER network infrastructure to accommodate the needs of this development proposal. Thames Water has contacted the developer in an attempt to agree on a position for foul water networks but has been unable to do so in the time available and as such Thames Water request that the following condition be added to any planning permission.
“The development shall not be occupied until confirmation has been provided that either:- 1. All wastewater network up grades required to accommodate the additional flows from the development have been completed; or-
2. A development and infrastructure phasing plan has been agreed with the Local Authority in consultation with Thames Water to allow development to be occupied. Where a development and infrastructure phasing plan is agreed, no occupation shall take place other than in accordance with the agreed development and infrastructure phasing plan.”
Reason – Network reinforcement works are likely to be required to accommodate the proposed development. Any reinforcement works identified will be necessary in order to avoid sewage flooding and/or potential pollution incidents…..”
Finally… at the Alfold Parish Council Meeting Mr Robinson (Conservative Councillor for Basingstoke & Dean) was unable to confirm exactly what AFFORDABLE HOUSING meant – He waffled on about the various different options – But I believe the Government understanding of the Term according to the NPPF Glossary is……….Annexe 2: Glossary
Glossary of terms used in this manual.
Affordable housing
Housing for sale or rent, for those whose needs, are not met by the market (including housing that provides a subsidised route to homeownership and/or is for essential local workers); and which complies with one or more of the following definitions:
(a) Affordable housing for rent: meets all of the following conditions: (a) the rent is set in accordance with the Government’s rent policy for Social Rent or Affordable Rent, or is at least 20% below local market rents (including service charges where applicable); (b) the landlord is a registered provider, except where it is included as part of a Build to Rent scheme (in which case the landlord need not be a registered provider); and (c) it includes provisions to remain at an affordable price for future eligible households, or for the subsidy to be recycled for alternative affordable housing provision. For Build, to Rent schemes, affordable housing for rent is expected to be the normal form of affordable housing provision (and, in this context, is known as Affordable Private Rent).
(b) Starter homes: is as specified in sections 2 and 3 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 and any secondary legislation made under these sections. The definition of a starter home should reflect the meaning set out in statute and any such secondary legislation at the time of plan-preparation or decision-making. Where secondary legislation has the effect of limiting a household’s eligibility to purchase a starter home to those with a particular maximum level of household income, those restrictions should be used.
(c) Discounted market sales housing: is that sold at a discount of at least 20% below local market value. Eligibility is determined with regard to local incomes and local house prices. Provisions should be in place to ensure housing remains at a discount for future eligible households.
So Only 20% BELOW MARKET VALUE… We wish they would make this information clearer to all those that think they will be able to afford these New Homes.
COLIN HALL VICE CHAIRMAN CPRE SURREY WAVERLEY DISTRICT COMMITTEE
Here’s the original letter and above is a follow-up .document-8076897