Tandridge Buzz

There must be a better way to drive economic growth without putting the greenbelt at risk — that will be the message from East Surrey MP Sam Gyimah to Planning Minister Greg Clark.

Gyimah has persuaded Planning Minister Greg Clark to meet with residents groups and Tandridge District Council representatives to discuss the Government’s Planning Policy Framework.

The new planning proposals have sparked controversy over fears that it may bring about a planning free-for-all in green belt areas.

The proposals will introduce a “presumption in favour of sustainable development” but opponents believe the definition is so poorly defined, most developments would pass the test.

The Daily Telegraph recently launched its own Hands off Our Land campaign, urging a rethink on the proposals, which are at a consultation stage.

There has also been speculation that the new rules could lead to around 300,000 new homes being built on the green fields.

Gyimah said that while he welcomed the Government’s intention to simplify planning laws, he is committed about safeguarding the environment and described the issue as “extremely important” for East Surrey.

“Many constituents have contacted me concerned about the preservation of the green belt and green fields,” he said.

“They believe, as I do, that there must be a better way of achieving economic growth without putting the green belt at risk.

“I especially understand this concern as East Surrey is 94% green belt and has extensive Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty such as the wonderful North Down Hills which look across Titsey, striking at the heart of the meridian and areas such as the extensive woodland that runs throughout Tandridge.

“This is why I have contacted the Planning Minister and persuaded him to meet with residents’ groups and representatives from Tandridge District Council, to put forward our case.”

The Prime Minister recently reassured the National Trust that he was committed to preserving the countryside.

• The deadline for written submissions to the consultation ends Monday 17 October. You can find it here.

Two brothers have now had to pay out over £17,000 in fines and costs after failing to comply with planning enforcement notices to remove caravans from a Lingfield site for a second time.

Charlie and Jonny Quinn, care of Victoria Fields, Clay Lane, Lingfield pleaded guilty at Guildford Crown Court on 20 July and were fined £2,500 each and ordered to pay Tandridge Council’s costs of £1,200.

It was the second time the pair had been before the court over the issue — in February this year they were fined £5,000 each and ordered to pay over £1,000 in costs.

In June 2008, part of the land owned by the brothers had been surfaced with hardcore and three caravans brought onto the site. A planning application was submitted in July for a change of use to residential, with some building works.

The application was refused and on 24 April 2009, two enforcement notices were issued to remove the caravans and the removal of the hard surface.

Following an appeal, a public inquiry was held in October 2009 when the inspector dismissed the appeals and refused planning permission for the change of use of the land.

The residential use enforcement notice was varied to be complied with by 16 November 2010.

On 17 November the Planning Enforcement Manager carried out an unannounced site inspection and found the caravans were still on site and some were still occupied.

After the brother’s court appearance in February, the enforcement officer visited the site in March again and the caravans still there.

“Failing to comply with the planning notices has now cost these brothers over £17,000,” said Councillor Gill Black, chairman of the planning committee.

“We have offered them advice about what they need to do and also put them in touch with our housing department. The caravans must be removed and the land returned to its original state. We have made it clear if they do not comply we have no choice, but to continue to pursue them.”

Piers Mason is to take over as Tandridge Council’s chief planning officer on 1 June from long-serving Bob Evans.

Evans retires on 31 May after joining the Council in 1976. He has been director of planning for 16 years.

Mason, a former Reigate Grammar School pupil, joined the Council in 1994 and following a brief spell at Sevenoaks District Council he returned to Tandridge as assistant director in 2008.

“We are delighted Piers Mason has been appointed as Chief Planning Officer, but sorry to see Bob Evans leave,” said leader of Tandridge District Council, Councillor Gordon Keymer.

“He has been an excellent director and will be sorely missed. We have a good planning service, but there are still plenty of challenges ahead, including protecting the Green Belt and our towns and villages.

“We have already modernised our service, although there is more to do, so we can be even more effective in planning for the future of Tandridge District.”

A second man has been fined for failing to comply with a planning enforcement notice on land at Victoria Fields, Clay Lane, Newchapel.

Charlie Quinn was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay legal costs of £375 and a £15 victim support charge at Redhill magistrates on 24 February. His brother Jonny Quinn was fined the same amount in January.

Charlie Quinn was arrested in Wolverhampton, following a warrant granted by Redhill magistrates.

In June 2008 part of the land was surfaced with hardcore and three caravans were brought onto the site. A planning application was submitted in July but was refused in January. On 24 April 2009 two enforcement notices were issued by the Council.

The land owners Charles and Johnny Quinn appealed against the refusal of planning permission and the Enforcement Notices.  A public inquiry was held in October 2009, where the inspector dismissed the appeals and refused planning permission for the change of use of the land.

Tandridge Council is to charge £100 for pre-application planning advice on domestic properties from 1 April.

Residents wanting to extend their house can get advice from the Council’s planning department to help them comply with policy. This is usually sought before a formal application is made.

Fees for planning advice on commercial applications have been in place for two years.

“We have a good record in giving help to those who want to make planning applications for improvements, resulting in better schemes for all concerned,” said chairman of the Planning Policy Committee, Councillor David Weightman.

“We want to continue helping residents improve their homes. This small additional charge will enable us to maintain and improve this service. We hope anyone who wants to develop their property will use it.”

A Warlingham man has been fined a massive £24,000 after failing to comply with three enforcement notices to demolish a single storey extension and dog kennels built without planning permission.

Gucharin Singh, of Wormsheath Cottage, Limpsfield Road, Warlingham pleaded guilty to failing to respond to three enforcement notices at Redhill Magistrates Court.

It was his fourth appearance in court after he was first prosecuted on 26 March 2010 for eight offences at his property including failing to demolish a single storey extension and dog kennels, using land to store a portable building and caravan and also the storage of a large quantity of building materials, without planning permission.

He returned to court on 25 June where he was give a further month to comply by magistrates and warned any sentence would reflect his non-compliance.

By the time of his fourth court appearance Mr Singh had failed to comply fully. As a result he was fined a total of £24,000 and ordered to pay the Council’s costs of £448.50 plus £15 towards the victim support fund.

Council officers first noted an unauthorised single storey extension and dog kennels had been erected, plus unauthorised storage of a portable building, a caravan and many other items including water tanks, and builders rubble, hardcore, a scaffold tower together with sheets of corrugated plastic and window frames in August 2007.

Enforcement notices were served in October 2008 but a site visit in December 2009 revealed that the notices had not been complied with within the two months allowed and the Council decided to prosecute.

The day before the last court hearing (23 July) the Council’s enforcement officers visited the site and saw that the portable building and the caravan had been removed but the single storey extension, dog kennels and most of the building material remained.

“Our officers did everything they could to advise Mr Singh,” said chairman of the planning committee Councillor Gill Black.

“We have worked hard to ensure the land is restored to its original state. It is a shame that it has taken the expense of four court appearances to finally get him to comply.”