Decision details

Decision:

That the Assistant Director of Planning Development be authorised to take all reasonable steps to confirm the Article 4 Direction made on 12 December 2023 in respect of Land on the south and east sides of Chase Cottage, Sutton Place, Abinger Hammer, Dorking, RH5 6RP registered at H.M. Land Registry under Title Number SY739199 (“the Land”) (“the Article 4 Direction”) as shown edged in red on the plan attached to the Article 4 Direction.

Reasons:

1.     To protect the openness of the Green Belt, the landscape value of the Surrey Hills National Landscape (SHNL) (formerly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) and potential harm to the setting of a Grade II* Listed Building, Usherwood, Sutton Place that would result from the subdivision of the Land.

2.     Whilst the registered owner has not explicitly stated that they object to the Article 4 Direction, given correspondence received by the council, the Assistant Director of Planning Development had taken the decision to not use delegated powers and therefore sought authority to confirm the Article 4 Direction.

3.     The development which the Article 4 Direction controlled, would be prejudicial to the proper planning of the area and constitute a threat to the local amenity of the area by potentially causing harm to the designated Green Belt and its openness, the landscape value of the SHNL, AGLV and the setting of a Grade II* Listed Building.  It was considered necessary to confirm the Article 4 Direction in order to continue the protection offered to these important matters.

Other options considered and rejected by the Executive:

None.

Details of any conflict of interest declared by the Leader or lead councillors and any dispensation granted:

Councillor Catherine Houston declared a non-pecuniary interest in that one of the individuals named in the report was known to her.