Stafford Road Clarion

Issue Number 2 February 2008

Stafford Road Clarion "Answer the Call!" Number 2 February 2008

Environment Agency says Flood Risk Assessments fall short
In its 23rd January response to the Stafford Road planning applications 2007/1814 and 2007/1815, the Environment Agency (strap-line: 'creating a better place') objects to the proposals on flood risk grounds, due to lack of information. The Agency wants additional information to enable it to comment further; but even then, more comments or objections may be raised. The Agency is concerned that the application sites lie within a flood risk area and that a new development there would result in the displacement of flood waters, increasing risk of flooding to others in nearby properties or further downstream. The Agency considers that if the Council is minded to grant permission conditions should be attached concerning foul drainage, surface water drainage, contamination, water conservation and waste regulation.

County Highway Authority recommends refusal
In its 21st January response, the Highway Authority says that the applicant has supplied insufficient information. Meaning that a full assessment of the impact of the proposed developments on the public highway cannot be made; it therefore recommends refusal.
The Authority tells Tandridge and the applicant that: 'It is noted that a Transport Assessment was submitted some weeks after the planning application and just before Christmas and therefore there was insufficient time to make a full assessment of the proposals. All documentation required in order for a full assessment to be made should be submitted with the planning application.'

Caterham Valley Parish Council objects to both applications.

Surrey Wildlife Trust objects to both applications.
In its 12th February letter, the Trust raises a wide range of issues regarding badgers, bats, reptiles, flora, butterflies and bird populations on the gardens, and anticipates receiving additional information on these and other issues to enable it to make a more informed appraisal of the impact of the developments on protected species and biodiversity.

County Environment and Regulation Service (Planning Implementation Team) says of 130-166 Stafford Road (8th January): 'The majority of trees on site are retained intact. The development offers enhanced landscaping treatment. The prominent feature of the site is the tree belt along the railway, which should be protected and enhanced.'
However, many trees within the application site have already been felled. And, far from being protected and enhanced, what was a leafy and abundant tree belt along the railway had, by the end of 2007, been reduced to a selection of trees and stumps. All this, despite protestations from residents and the Parish Council. But, determined to press on, Village Developments continued into January 2008, taking out more trees on the gardens at 184-198 Stafford Road, so as to prepare the way for its proposed built development. In the process, the horse chestnut alongside the pavement at number 192 which, despite its less than perfect condition, was described in the Arboricultural Survey Schedule as making a high landscape contribution, with a useful life of 10-20 years, met the same fate as that suffered in November 2007 by the yew tree at number 154 ' it was felled on 10th January so as to ease the way for a new access point into the proposed development.

All the above are on Tandridge Council's website, or can be seen at the Council offices, Oxted

Decisions; decisions.
As at 1st February, no date had been set for the applications to be considered by the Development Control Committee (DCC).
If recommended for approval, they would go to Committee, and all who have commented would be notified. If recommended for refusal, this would likely be done under delegated powers, and not go to Committee; similar notifications would be issued.

If you receive a letter inviting you to the DCC meeting, it will tell you about public speaking arrangements. If you wish to speak, and to contact others who may also wish to do so (someone please!), the Clarion can put you in touch if you leave your details on 0208 65 35 995.

Your Street Needs You!
If you take this issue into BCL in The Square (near Pizza Hut/Barclays) ' open Mon ' Friday, they will, for under a pound, supply you with a laminated copy of the poster prepared by local residents in December (see Croydon Advertiser, 21 Dec).
You could use it for display or as a banner at a DCC meeting. The original, and lots more, are at the Imperial War Museum's exhibition 'Weapons of Mass Communication: War Posters' until 30th March. Tel: 020 7416 5320 or visit: www.iwm.org.uk/posters

MP Peter Ainsworth's New Year Westminster Report is headlined: 'Garden grabbing is causing lasting damage.' He has called for an end to it, before the character of East Surrey is irrevocably changed. He supports Tandridge writing to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, to protest at the extent decisions of its Development Control Committee are being overturned by unelected inspectors. He says: 'I will continue to campaign vigorously for stronger protection for gardens so we can preserve the character of our neighbourhoods and habitats for wildlife.'

'Garden-grabbing must stop, says campaigning ecologist'
Caterham Mirror, January 31st.
Whelan Homes wants to demolish two houses in Tupwood Lane, and build a three-storey block of 14 flats. Local resident and ecologist Gwyneth Fookes is protesting.

'Worried ecologist says wildlife is being forced out of its own home by back garden developments'
Caterham Advertiser, February 1st.
The Advertiser quotes the developers' agents, WS Planning as saying: 'The redevelopment of the site for residential use will have a positive impact on the locality. The proposal incorporates a sound design, which is in keeping with the character of the area'' He said that many of the existing mature trees and shrubs would be retained because they gave a good level of screening and boosted the site's appearance.
Sounds familiar' Ed.

'They will not get my home'
Caterham Advertiser, February 8th
The Advertiser reports that Ethel Jones, 77, has been approached four times in the past 18 months by Village Developments offering to buy her Warlingham maisonette.
A spokesman from WS Planning is reported as saying that the latest plan for next door to Miss Jones would result in a 'well-designed residential development' and 'The proposals would respect the character of the area and enhance the appearance of Blanchmans Road.'

Caterham's 'seventies disco queen Tina Charles is thinking of leaving the area. She says, 'For ages this area remained blissfully unchanged. But in the past few years, several houses have been sold to developers to create even more properties, and others are about to go the same way.' The Mail on Sunday, November 11th 2007.

Garden Corner
If you have a Stafford Road garden, it was no doubt once a part of chalk downland. As such, it can be rich in native wild flowers ' just like Manor Park will be before long. To achieve this, simply leave a few square metres as rough, un-mown grass for the butterflies and bees. This year, or in 2009, you may gather marjoram sufficient for the cook-pot, and see many other interesting species. If fortunate, you may even find a native orchid. Only mow after everything has dropped its seeds, and continue in the same way the next year.

Thanks to all who have expressed their support following the first issue, and to those who have offered help in funding and distribution.

Contact/contributions for the Clarion: staffordclarion@hotmail.com

Messages: 0208 65 35 995 (Voicemail).