Planning in Epsom and Ewell

Community, Cultural and Built Sports Facilities

The loss of community, cultural and built sports facilities, particularly those catering for the young or old, will be resisted unless: it can be clearly demonstrated there is no longer a need for such a facility in either its current use, or in any other form of community use, or there is an appropriate alternative means of providing an equivalent facility. The provision of new community, cultural and built sports facilities, and the upgrading of those existing, will be encouraged, particularly where they address a deficiency in current provision, and where they meet the identified needs of communities both within the Borough and beyond.

Community, Cultural and Built Sports Facilities

The loss of community, cultural and built sports facilities, particularly those catering for the young or old, will be resisted unless: it can be clearly demonstrated there is no longer a need for such a facility in either its current use, or in any other form of community use, or there is an appropriate alternative means of providing an equivalent facility. The provision of new community, cultural and built sports facilities, and the upgrading of those existing, will be encouraged, particularly where they address a deficiency in current provision, and where they meet the identified needs of communities both within the Borough and beyond.

Employment

Losses of employment land will be resisted in the strategic employment areas of the Nonsuch and Longmead Industrial Estates and within Epsom town centre and Ewell village centre. Regeneration of employment premises and intensification of employment uses will be encouraged in these locations. A cautious approach will be adopted to losses of employment land elsewhere. The Site Allocations/ Development Control DPDs will set out detailed policies for the redevelopment of employment sites within strategic employment areas and elsewhere and will define sites where particular policies apply. The Council will support and facilitate new working methods that seek to increase productivity without significant increases in workforce and which limit the need to travel, such as home working.

Green Belt

To ensure the Green Belt continues to serve its key functions, its existing general extent will be maintained and, within its boundaries, strict control will continue to be exercised over inappropriate development as defined by Government policy.

Biodiversity

The biodiversity of Epsom and Ewell will be conserved and enhanced through the support for measures which meet the objectives of national and local biodiversity action plans in terms of species and habitat. Sites that are designated for their nature conservation attributes will be afforded protection appropriate to their designation. Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Ancient Woodland will be afforded the highest level of protection. Development which harms the scientific interest of these areas will not be permitted. Development that would harm Grade 2, Grade 3 SNCIs or Local Nature Reserves will not be permitted unless: • suitable mitigation measures are put in place, and • it has been demonstrated that the benefits of a development would outweigh the harm caused. Elsewhere, development that is detrimental to the Borough's biodiversity will be minimised, and where it does take place, adequate mitigating measures should be provided. Wherever possible, new development should contribute positively towards the Borough's biodiversity.

Open Spaces and Green Infrastructure

Emphasis will continue to be placed on protecting and enhancing the two Strategic Open Spaces of Nonsuch Park and the Hogsmill River, shown on the Key Diagram. These areas provide a particularly important recreational, amenity and wildlife resource. Provision of the amount and type of open space within the Borough will have regard to the standards identified in the most recent Audit of Open Space, Sport and Recreational Facilities and Assessment of Local Needs. The required quantity and range of open spaces will be rigorously maintained, and focus will be given to the creation and maintenance of an accessible network of green spaces within the built up area of the Borough. The Council will endeavour to address any shortfalls in provision of defined open space types and will seek opportunities to enhance the quality of existing open spaces where necessary, and improve access to them. Development which results in a deficit of open space provision will not be permitted. On all new residential developments there will be a requirement for open space and recreational provision in accordance with the details set out in the Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document. This policy will apply to all new residential developments within the Borough where a quantitative or qualitative deficiency of open space or recreational provision exists, or where the development would lead to such a deficiency. Where it is impractical or inappropriate to provide the open space within the housing scheme, the Council will expect a financial contribution from the developer to allow an alternative means of provision or enhancement. The nature and extent of that contribution will be governed by the formulae set out in the SPD, the identification of needs in the Audit of Open Space, and other evidence as appropriate.

Sustainable Environment

Proposals for development should result in a sustainable environment and reduce, or have a neutral impact upon, pollution and climate change. The Council will expect proposals to demonstrate how sustainable construction and design can be incorporated to improve the energy efficiency of development - both new build and conversion. In order to conserve natural resources, minimise waste and encourage recycling, the Council will ensure that new development: • minimises the use of energy in the scheme by using an appropriate layout, building design and orientation; • minimises the emission of pollutants, including noise, water and light pollution, into the wider environment; • has no adverse effects on water quality, and helps reduce potential water consumption, for example by the use of water conservation and recycling measures and by minimising off-site water discharge by using methods such as sustainable urban drainage; • avoids increasing the risk of, or from, flooding; • minimises the energy requirements of construction, for example by using sustainable construction technologies and encouraging the recycling of materials; • encourages the use of renewable energy by the incorporation of production facilities within the design of the scheme; • incorporates waste management processes, for example for the recycling of water and waste. The waste hierarchy (Reduce-Reuse-Recycle-Recover-Dispose) should be applied to all stages of development design, construction and final operation.

The Built Environment

The Council will protect and seek to enhance the Borough's heritage assets including historic buildings, conservation areas, archaeological remains, ancient monuments, parks and gardens of historic interest, and other areas of special character. The settings of these assets will be protected and enhanced. High quality and inclusive design will be required for all developments. Development should: create attractive, functional and safe public and private environments; reinforce local distinctiveness and complement the attractive characteristics of the Borough; make efficient use of land and have regard to the need to develop land in a comprehensive way.

Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople

Provision will be made for additional sites for gypsies and travellers and travelling showpeople if a need is identified in the joint accommodation assessments currently being undertaken or in the South East Plan Review. Where additional sites are required they will be allocated in the Site Allocations DPD. The selection of any such site will take into account the policy objectives of the Core Strategy, the needs of future occupiers and the likely availability of any site for its intended occupiers. The Development Control DPD will include a criteria based policy for the consideration of applications on any other sites.

Housing Provision

The Borough Council will seek to ensure sufficient housing is provided to meet the Borough's housing requirements in accordance with the submitted South East Plan. In applying Policy H1 of the South East Plan, provision will therefore be made for at least 2,715 homes within the period 2007-2022 (based on the annual average of 181 new dwellings per annum). Annual monitoring will be carried out to ensure that there is not a projected shortfall in housing provision against the strategic requirement for the period to 2026. This will allow the managed release of housebuilding land to provide the amount and type of homes required. Depending on the results of monitoring it may be necessary to adjust the pace of the delivery of housing by bringing forward, or holding back, new development. The position will be comprehensively reviewed when the housing targets in the South East Plan are finally approved.

Affordable Housing

The Council has a target that overall, 35% of new dwellings should be affordable. This equates to the provision of 950 new affordable homes over the period 2007 to 2022. New housing developments should include a mix of dwelling types, sizes and tenures which help meet identified local housing needs and contribute to the development of mixed and sustainable communities. Taking into account the viability of the development proposed and other planning objectives, the Council will negotiate to achieve the provision of affordable housing as set out below: Residential developments of between five and fourteen dwellings gross (or on sites between 0.15ha and 0.49ha - irrespective of the number of dwellings proposed) should include at least 20% of dwellings as affordable. Residential development of 15 or more dwellings gross (or on sites of 0.5ha or above) should include at least 40% of dwellings as affordable. The Council will seek to ensure that the affordable housing remains affordable to successive as well as initial occupiers through the use of planning conditions or a planning obligation. Advice on the detailed operation of this policy, the definition and nature of the local housing needs to be met, the tariff system to be used, and the mechanisms for delivery of the affordable housing, will be set out in the Developer Contributions SPD.

Housing provision target 2007-2022

Not provided in passage - only table showing expected components of housing land supply is included

Broad Location of Housing Development

New housing development will be located within the defined built up area of Epsom and Ewell and within the three hospital cluster sites of West Park, St Ebba's and the remaining part of Horton B. The built up area will be defined on the Proposals Map. The three hospital sites will be identified as Major Developed Sites in the Green Belt. Within these areas the emphasis will be on the re-use of suitable previously developed land (including the re-use or conversion of existing buildings) for housing. Subject to other policies in this plan, planning consent will be given for development within the built up areas, including infilling, redevelopment and conversion. In principle the strategy will be to direct higher density development to central locations, such as Epsom town centre and other local centres, close to existing services and facilities and accessible by public transport, walking and cycling. This will enable relatively lower densities to be applied to other parts of the built up area to help retain their character and local distinctiveness. The Council will also encourage mixed use developments within the more accessible town or local centre locations. Further policies on densities will be set out in subsequent DPDs.

Developer Contributions to Community Infrastructure

Developers must be able to demonstrate that the service and community infrastructure necessary to serve the development is available. Where implementation of a development would create the need to provide additional or improved community facilities and infrastructure, or would exacerbate an existing deficiency in their provision, developers will be expected to make the necessary provision. Where the developer is unable to provide the required facility directly (preferably on site), the Council may require a proportionate financial contribution from the developer, normally secured by means of a legal planning obligation, towards its provision elsewhere.

Sustainable Development

The Council will expect the development and use of land to contribute positively to the social, economic and environmental improvements necessary to achieve sustainable development - both in Epsom and Ewell, and more widely. Changes should protect and enhance the natural and built environments of the Borough and should achieve high quality sustainable environments for the present, and protect the quality of life of future, generations.

Epsom Town Centre

Measures to improve Epsom town centre, including new development, will be encouraged especially where they help it to adapt and reinforce its role in meeting the needs of the local community and acting as a focus for a range of activities (including retail, cultural, business, leisure and residential) and where they recognise and build on the distinctive character of the place. Development should contribute to the following key objectives for the town centre: Creating a diversity, richness and balance of uses which will contribute to a flourishing day-time and night-time economy, help satisfy community needs and enhance environmental quality and sustainability; Ensuring that physical and land use changes recognise and build on the distinctive character different parts of Epsom town centre already have, and contribute to conserving and developing a "sense of place"; Improving the pedestrian and cyclist environments by creating new links and developing a street network which is designed with their needs in mind, and which reduces the adverse impact roads and traffic have on the town; Ensuring the town has a clear spatial structure for future growth and change and that development can be used to protect and enhance that pattern; Developing a greater sense of safety and security for users, both during the day and at night, and improving the perception of the town as active, inclusive and safe.

Local Centres

Measures to protect the role, function and needs of the local centres will be encouraged. The Council will resist proposals which are likely to damage or undermine the retail function of these centres or detract from their vitality and viability. Stoneleigh and Ewell village are the largest local centres in the Borough and are shown on the Key Diagram. Other local centres will be defined in the Site Allocations DPD including the proposed new shopping facility at Horton (hospital cluster).

Managing Transport and Travel

Encouragement will be given to development proposals and management policies which foster an improved and integrated transport network and facilitate a shift of emphasis to non-car modes as a means of access to services and facilities. In particular the Council will work with the County Council and other relevant agencies in Epsom town centre to reduce the impact of roads and traffic movement, to support the development of opportunities for the use of public transport, and to enhance the pedestrian environment. Throughout the Borough the Council will seek to ensure that highway design responds to the positive characteristics of an area and delivers a high quality public realm for all users. In creating new places, highway design should ensure that the needs of vehicular traffic do not predominate to the detriment of other modes of travel or to the quality of the environment created. Development proposals will be required to be consistent with, and contribute to, the implementation of the Surrey Local Transport Plan and should: • minimise the need for travel, through measures such as travel plans or the provision or enhancement of local services and facilities; • provide safe, convenient and attractive accesses for all, including the elderly and disabled, and others with restricted mobility, and provide links to the existing network of footways, bridleways and cycleways, so as to maximise opportunities for their use; • be appropriate for the highways network in terms of the volume and nature of traffic generated, and ensure that the safety, convenience and free flow of traffic using the highway are not adversely affected; • avoid highway improvements which harm the environment and character of the area; • provide appropriate and effective parking provision, both on and off-site, and vehicular servicing arrangements; • ensure that vehicular traffic generated does not create new, or exacerbate existing, on street parking problems, nor materially increase other traffic problems, taking account of any contributions that have been secured to the provision of off-site works. All major developments should be well located for convenient access by non-car modes, including walking, cycling and high quality public transport. Land will be allocated in the Site Allocations DPD for the construction of the Kiln Lane link road.