Additional documents:
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.
Minutes:
An Article 4 Direction was a tool used under The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015
to withdraw or restrict permitted development rights on specific properties. An Article 4 Direction had previously been made in respect of land to the south and east of Chase Cottage and introduced with immediate effect on 12 December 2023. The existing Direction would remain in force until 11 June 2024 (being six months from the date on which the Direction came into force) unless confirmed by the Local Planning Authority (LPA) before the end of the six-month period. The action was taken to prevent harm to the designated Green Belt and its openness, to the landscape character of the area and the setting of the Grade II* Listed Building, Usherwood, Sutton Place. It was considered that certain permitted developments rights would be prejudicial to the proper planning of the area or constitute a threat to the amenities of the area.
The report before the Executive recommended that the Article 4 Direction be confirmed.
The Lead Councillor for Planning introduced the report and thanked Planning Enforcement officers for the comprehensive detail. It was clarified that should the Executive agree to make the Direction then construction or subdivision of any kind on this site would have to come forward to the Planning Committee for permission.
The Executive noted that this was one of a number of Article 4 Directions to be made by the Council recently and that it was right and proper that prompt action be taken to protect the openness of the Green Belt and prevent inappropriate development in the wrong places. Consequently, the Executive,
RESOLVED:
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 ... view the full minutes text for item 9