Steep P

arish Plan 2

012

The following reports also form part of the work of the Steep Parish Plan Steering Group and are available inseparate documents, either accessible through the Steep Parish Plan website www.steepparishplan.org.uk or from the Steep Parish Clerk.

Steep Local Landscape Character Assessment

Steep Buildings and Monuments Record

Steep Settlement Character Assessment

Resolution

Letter from Chair Steep Parish Council

Introduction

Location

Short History of Steep

Landscape

Settlements

Planning Context

Parish Plan Process

Resident Profile

Parish Survey

All Saints’ Church

Charities

Schools

Societies

Agriculture

Industry

Summary

Parish Design Guidance

Our Vision for the Future

Conclusion

Parish Boundary

Acknowledgements

Thanks

Contents

1

1

2

3

3

5

6

7

8

8

9

11

12

12

15

17

21

22

23

30

35

36

36

37

October 2012

1

Caroline Robinson, Chair, Steep Parish CouncilI am delighted to be able to introduce this important community report and particularly glad of the opportunity to express our thanks to the Parish Plan Steering Group for their gargantuan efforts in getting to this stage. They have gone to great lengths to gather opinions and suggestions from as many people as possible in arriving at their conclusions.

The Steering Group’s attention to detail both in the process they have gone through and the finished document has been very impressive and I think they have produced a report that we can all be proud of. Certainly, the Parish Council has unanimously endorsed the vision, the design guidance and the proposed

actions included in the Plan, which will, over time, help us to move towards the Plan’s goals.

We have already started to make some changes to how we operate as a Council to enable us to manage these matters more effectively. We very much hope that the document will be a unifying agenda that all residents of the Parish can support.

Steep Parish Council ResolutionThis is the resolution of the Steep Parish Council 2 July 2012 -

‘It was RESOLVED that Council approves and adopts the Report of the Steep Parish Plan Steering Group, including specifically the Parish Design Guidance (which replaces the Village Design Statement of 2001) and the Action Plan in support of the Report’s vision for the future of Steep.’

2

Introduction

We are fortunate to live in a fine parish with-in the South Downs National Park. Steep is an active and varied community. Agriculture still plays an important part in village life and there is some small-scale light-industry in Steep Marsh. We have a beautiful medi-eval church, a well-regarded primary school and Bedales, one of the country’s leading independent schools. We enjoy the unique backdrop provided by the Ashford Hang-ers and impressive landscape views to the South Downs. Our buildings include historic farmhouses, significant mansions by promi-nent Victorian architects, Arts and Crafts buildings associated with the heritage of Bedales, and some major modern buildings. In addition, Steep has cultural associations with a number of important literary and arts figures such as Edward Thomas, John Wynd-ham and Sir Alec Guinness.

As with all communities, Steep is subject to change. Evolving lifestyles, the relative decline in agriculture, the increasing intru-

sion of traffic, and demands for housing are just some of the more obvious pressures. This Parish Plan tries to understand such changes and identify appropriate actions through which the Parish Council (as its sponsor) can respond.

In developing a plan for dealing with change, we will also need to think about what should be protected and preserved. And we want to reflect the views of the whole village, recognizing that there is a range of opinion on every topic. The chal-lenge is to provide a way forward so that future Steep generations can live in a vibrant community which is still enjoying its unique landscape and heritage. To achieve that goal the community, the schools, local businesses and the statutory authorities – including the Parish Council will need to be working to a common agenda. The Steering Group hope that this report will help to cre-ate a foundation for that common agenda.

“There are many places which nobody can look upon without being consciously influenced by a sense of their history ... Or woodland walk that speaks of a dead poet or soldier.”

Steep from the Hangers

Jubilee Event on Steep Common

3

Steep is located in the County of Hamp-shire, in the administrative area of East Hampshire District Council and within the newly-established South Downs Na-tional Park. It is about 20 miles north of Portsmouth, about 60 miles south-west of London, about 20 miles east of Winchester and 10 miles west of Midhurst. It adjoins the market town of Petersfield which has excellent road and rail communications with London and the south coast, as well as the A272 providing a west-east link between Winchester and East Sussex. It is a large parish, covering nearly five square miles with its highest point on the Hangers reach-ing 800 feet above sea level.

Location

Although there is evidence of flints, enclo-sures and crop marks from pre-roman times and a Roman villa in Stroud, Steep was probably not settled until late in the Anglo-Saxon period when it was first documented as Stepe (Steep Place) in the 12th Century. The Church dates from 1125, at a time when Steep became a sub-parish of East Meon. This was also a period of extensive woodland clearing and the creation of farm-steads such as Aldersnapp, Soal and Dun-hill. The oldest surviving dwelling in Steep is thought to be Restalls, on the east side of the Church, dating (in part) from the latter years of the sixteenth century. By 1600, the local cloth-making industry was prospering and Steep had two fulling mills in operation, driven by the Ashford Stream. This was also the time of the “great rebuilding” which saw many wooden buildings replaced by stone structures. Steep, Tankerdale, Gardner’s, Soal and Stroud Farms and possibly the Harrow Inn were all rebuilt. However, this period of prosperity did not last and, with the cloth-making industry in decline, severe depression followed in the latter part of the seventeenth century. By the 1830s the agricultural revolution, especially land en-closures, had upset traditional rural society and created a class of landless labourers, struggling to support their families. This led to rural unrest and the “Swing Riots” swept across southern England, reaching Selborne and Liphook in September 1830. The Parliamentary Enclosure Acts of 1856-66 established the final land pattern for Steep Marsh and Stroud with the scattered

buildings forming the origin of today’s settle-ment. There was also extensive land drain-age between 1860 and 1880. Conduits and sluices were constructed to take water from the Ashford Stream for the artificial flooding of hay meadows. Hops were grown (for use in the local breweries), watercress produced commercially, and a condensed milk factory was in operation in Steep Marsh before tak-ing on a new life as the brickyards.

Administratively, Steep became a parish in 1867. The latter part of the nineteenth cen-tury saw the replacement of farmhouses by more elaborate residences and the building of large Victorian mansions such as Adhurst St Mary, Coldhayes, Collyers, Stonerwood, Stoner House and Island House. The Village School was built in 1875 and the Eames Almshouses in 1882. The community was relatively self-contained with trades such as blacksmiths, carpenters and wheelwrights as well as shopkeepers, builders and paint-ers. Farms and the large houses with their estates employed bailiffs, gamekeepers, gardeners and coachmen as well as house-keepers and other domestic staff.

In 1900, Bedales School moved to Steep from Sussex. It brought with it, not only a new community of schoolchildren, teach-ers and parents, but also its connections with the Arts and Crafts Movement. Steep became of comparable importance to the other main centre of the Arts and Crafts Movement in the Cotswolds. The school’s arrival in the area, together with its pro-

A Short History of Steep

All Saints’ Church

Restalls, Church Road

STEEP

HAMPSHIRE

Please note this is not to scale.

4

gressive curriculum that included a strong emphasis on practical handicrafts, gave a new impetus to building in the area. Lit-tle Hawsted, Row Cottage, Five Oaks and Rozel along Church Road and Mill Cottage on Mill Lane are some of the best domestic examples of this style from the early part of the twentieth century. Within the Bedales grounds the Memorial Library and Lupton Hall are Grade I listed – classifying them as buildings of exceptional interest on a na-tional level. The Arts and Crafts style is also visible at Ashford Chace, the War Memorial and the Village Hall. Bedales also exerted indirect influence on Steep through the par-ents of its pupils, who decided to live locally while their children were being educated. The writer and poet, Edward Thomas and his family are a notable example of this.

During the twentieth century the numbers working in agriculture and associated trades continued to decline, to be replaced by business people and professionals commuting to Petersfield and beyond, and retirees looking for the peace of the coun-tryside. Local building activity was on a much reduced scale, with some of the large mansions being converted into apartments. Council houses were built at Hays Cottages and in Steep Marsh. The Hays Cottages development was originally built as part of a programme of settlements for return-ing soldiers after WWII. New houses were constructed in the grounds of Island House; and many of the former domestic service bungalows, gatehouses and lodges were converted and extended for private use.

More recently the introduction of new technology means that working from home has become easier. Improvements to the railways and road access have made the area popular and rising house prices (driven in part by the lack of new building land) has encouraged extensions to existing homes. At the same time, Steep has become a more open community, with the church, the schools, the clubs and societies all drawing in significant numbers from outside the par-ish. The South Downs National Park seems likely to increase the numbers of visitors who come to enjoy Steep’s landscape and its historical associations.

“Architecture, with many of its local characteristics still to be traced, will speak as a voice out of the stones of castle, church, manor, farm, barn and bridge.”

War Memorial

May Pole Dancing on Steep Common

5

LandscapeSteep lies at the edge of the western Weald, at the foot of the steeply wooded escarpment of the Hangers. The Hangers give Steep its beautiful and much-loved setting as well as its name. The scarp is criss-crossed by tracks and bridleways and includes the Shoulder of Mutton, with its memorial sarsen stone dedicated to Edward Thomas. Woods of beech and yew cling to the steep chalk slopes.

The 147 hectares of the Ashford Hangers National Nature Reserve lie mostly within the Parish and are owned and managed by Hampshire County Council. This reserve forms part of the 570 hectares Wealden Edge Hangers Special Area of Conserva-tion (an international classification) which identifies our landscape as one of the key representatives of beech forests in south east England. It is noted for its rich biodi-versity, providing a stronghold for a number of scarce vascular plants, including white, violet and green-flowered helleborine and Italian lords-and-ladies. Eighty hectares of the Ashford Hangers are designated as

a Site of Special Scientific Interest by Natu-ral England.

At the foot of the Hangers is the green-sand terrace, a flatter area of woods and pastures, sunken lanes and ancient tracks, which is drained by the Ashford Stream. Taking its name from the mix of greensand and gault clay on which it stands, this is where most of the buildings and settle-ments of the parish are situated. Although some of the land is cultivated or used for animal grazing, tree cover is quite extensive and small copses are found throughout. Nearby is the mixed farmland and woodland of the lower Rother Valley, which includes the town of Petersfield. At the eastern edge of the parish is the River Rother and, at its south eastern extremity, Adhurst St Mary on the greensand hills and Westmark, like a toe protruding into the Wealden mosaic of heath and farmland which stretches eventu-ally to Pulborough in West Sussex.

A Local Landscape Character Assessment has been undertaken as part of the Parish

Cockshot Lane

Ashford Lane

The Trooper Inn

Petersfield

Ashford Farm

Lutcombe pond

Hangers Way

The Ashford Hangers National Nature Reserve

“These steep sides are clothed with beeches, thousands of beeches interrupted by the black yews that resemble caverns among the paler trees”

6

Plan (available in a separately published document). This describes what makes our area distinctive, what it means to local people, how we interact with our landscape and the landscape issues that matter to people who live and work in Steep, as well as those who visit.

The Steep Parish Plan Steering Group believes that the work of the Assessment Team will help us to protect and conserve the most valued elements of our landscape for future generations. The natural views we see today are, in fact, a “managed” landscape – with some areas being cleared from time to time (including the feature of the Shoulder of Mutton) and others where the encroaching shrubs and trees have been left to fill in spaces that were previ-ously open. We should be aware that the principal, positive elements of our land-scape – the generally peaceful nature of the setting and the sense of views which have been largely unchanged over the decades - will not automatically survive without care and attention.

Landscape management can be a contro-versial topic. Early in 1996, Hampshire County Council began a programme of fencing and grazing on the Hangers, which provoked significant local concern about the impact of this on the character of the Hangers. The Ashford Hangers Preserva-tion Committee was formed in response to this situation. Substantial negotiations eventually led to an agreement to exclude the Shoulder of Mutton Hill from the fenc-ing and grazing programme and to ensure that signposts for the area were made more appropriate to the area in both style and number. In return, it was agreed that the local community would provide help in keeping down the scrub, through volunteer work mornings. A consultative committee was also established as a regular forum for discussion between local representatives, the County and other involved organisa-tions, to ensure that communications were

effective. This agreement continues today and has been successful in avoiding further major issues.

For the future we may expect increasing visitor numbers, which (although generally welcomed by Steep’s residents) will bring risks that will need to be managed. Devel-opment pressures especially on the edge of Petersfield, may intrude on the views from the Hangers; and growing traffic density on A3 may increase the volume of noise. All of these issues will need sensitive manage-ment by a range of agencies over the life of this plan.

The detailed proposals on these matters – together with a celebration of our landscape are included in the Steep Local Landscape Character Assessment Report. This covers a detailed action plan. This is intended to conserve the dramatic landform, the skyline and the biodiversity-rich woodland and chalk grassland of the Hangers. It should also conserve the intimate scale and tranquil character of the greensand terrace and the simple character of the landscape to the east of the railway. It should also strength-en the network of hedgerows, woodland and trees throughout the parish.

Hangers looking towards Steep

Settlements

“The land-scape retains the most permanent marks of the past, and a wise exami-nation of it should evoke the begin-nings of the majestic sen-timent our oneness with the future and the past, just as natu-ral history should help to give the child a sense of oneness with all forms of life.”

Steep is a fragmented collection of settle-ments widely spread across its five square miles of countryside. The main concentra-tion of homes, representing about a third of those in the Parish, is clustered along Church Road, and there is another sig-nificant collection around Steep Marsh.

However, there are also smaller communi-ties in Ridge Common Lane/Lythe Lane, the Dunhurst/Dunhill corner, Stoner Hill, Mill Lane, Ashford Lane, Steep Hollow/Ket-tlebrook, Westmark and finally within the Bedales campus. Each settlement has its own unique character and identity.

7

Mill Cottage

Outside these concentrations there is a sprinkling of widely-scattered buildings and agricultural structures. Our surveys have shown that, in general, these are attractive to the local community, especially as many are well shielded by the shape of the land and the cloak of tree cover. Indeed, in look-ing outward from the viewpoints of Steep, even the large neighbouring settlements such as Petersfield are largely invisible in the trees. However, there is an understand-able anxiety about any new and visible intru-sions in the landscape views. Steep is now part of the South Downs National Park and it is worth noting that the Park Authority has identified seven Special Qualities as key to developing the character of the Park:

1. Diverse, inspirational landscapes and breathtaking views

2. A rich variety of wildlife and habitats, including rare and internationally im-portant species

3. Tranquil and unspoilt places 4. An environment shaped by centuries

of farming and embracing new enter-prise

5. Great opportunities for recreational activities and learning experiences

6. Well conserved historical features and a rich cultural heritage

7. Distinctive towns and villages and communities with real pride in their area

Our surveys have shown that Steep scores very highly on every one of these charac-teristics and this suggests both the setting of Steep in its outstanding landscape and the unusual richness of its buildings and cultural connections is worthy of being rec-ognised and celebrated.

We recommend that the Parish Council should explore with the South Downs Na-tional Park Authority (SDNPA) the possibility of Steep being recognised as a special area within the National Park, which represents all of its key landscape and built heritage qualities. As well as promoting Steep, this could encourage other areas in the Park to celebrate their own excellence.

The Steep Settlement Character Assess-ment and the Steep Buildings and Monu-ments Record provide detailed guides to the different aspects of the built environ-ment in Steep and complement the Land-scape Asessment. The Settlement Assess-ment analyses the different charactersistics of the settlements including their history, types of buildings and key qualities. The Buildings and Monuments Record has been compiled from a number of sources, includ-ing English Heritage and ‘The Buildings of England, Hampshire: Winchester and the North’ published by Penguin 2010. These documents are available separately online through the Steep website www.steepvillage.com

Planning ContextThe Steep Village Design Statement (VDS) was originally adopted by Steep Parish Council and East Hampshire District Council in March 2001. It was produced by a community-based team from Steep and covered many similar topics to those in this Parish Plan. It had been hoped that the Village Design Statement would influ-ence planning decisions by EHDC but in the event it was only used as an advisory document. However, the Parish Council has continued to use it as a key reference in determining its own position on individual planning applications.

Planning policies have evolved since 2001. The East Hampshire Local Plan (Second Review) was adopted in 2006 and in April 2011, the South Downs National Park Authority became responsible for decision-

making on planning applications in our area. More recently, the East Hampshire & South Downs National Park Joint Core Strategy has been prepared. This has been submitted to the Secretary of State for examination during 2012. Once adopted it will replace the Local Plan in setting out the broad principles on which planning deci-sions for Steep will be based.

This Parish Plan contains more detailed Planning Design Guidance on p.23 which has been subject to extensive consultation and hopefully will be adopted as supplementary planning guidance by SDNPA so that it carries weight in future decision making.

The Government’s Localism Act 2011 intro-duces a new right for communities to draw

Rozel

8

The 2001 Census revealed a total popu-lation for Steep of 1,425. Excluding the students likely to have been present at Bedales, this suggests a total “regular” population of just under 1,100, spread over 420 households. The age distribution of residents is shown in the chart and was broadly similar to that of East Hampshire

as a whole at the same date. Nearly half described themselves as “economically active”. Of these, about a quarter were self-employed and about a fifth were working from home. This latter proportion is very much higher than that for either East Hamp-shire (12%) or for England as a whole (9%) at that time.

28%  

9%  

34%  

23%  

6%  

31%  

16%  

32%  

17%  

4%  

0%   5%   10%   15%   20%   25%   30%   35%   40%  

0-­‐24  yrs  

25-­‐39  yrs  

40-­‐59  yrs  

60-­‐80  yrs  

>80  yrs  

2001   2011  

Steep Age Profile

Parish Plan ProcessThe idea of undertaking a Parish Plan was launched by the Parish Council at a public meeting in September 2009, supported by East Hampshire District Council and Com-munity Action Hampshire. In early 2010 we started a series of home-based conversa-tions, involving small groups across the Par-ish, to share thoughts, ideas and sugges-tions about Steep.

Our first exhibition in the Village Hall in March 2010 invited comments on the themes and issues that had been identified through these conversations. This was fol-lowed with a special insert in the Steep and Stroud Newsletter May 2010, with further information about the plan and how people could get involved. A further exhibition was held in November 2010. In early 2011 work started on the Local Landscape Character Assessment, the Buildings and Settlement Record and the Settlement Assessment.

By April 2011 the preliminary landscape work had been completed and the results were presented in a third exhibition in the Village Hall. During summer 2011 ques-tionnaires were sent to all residents and businesses in Steep, with help from EHDC. Additional surveys were completed by chil-dren at Bedales and Steep Primary School. The results were presented to the Parish Council and in an exhibition in the Village Hall in November 2011, which also included the material from the Landscape, Buildings and Settlement Assessments. A further round of consultations with the institutions of Steep was undertaken during February and March 2012.

The Plan brings together all this work and draws some conclusions on the way for-ward. The following sections summarise our key findings and recommendations.

Resident Profile

up a Neighbourhood Plan. This would be based on the Parish Plan but will require ex-tensive consultation, a formal independent examination, a referendum on its specific proposals and, ultimately, adoption by the National Park.

We recommend that the Parish Council should keep under review the question of whether to draw up a Neighbourhood Plan based on the Parish Plan.

9

“This is the home of orchises and of the dainti-est snails.”

Church Road

Parish SurveyQuestionnaires were distributed to all households in Steep in June 2011 and we achieved a response rate of a little over 35%. A separate questionnaire was also sent to local businesses. The students at both the Primary School and Bedales com-pleted a modified on-line questionnaire to give their perspective on the “state of the Parish”.

The survey revealed general satisfaction with the sense of community in the Parish, and widespread participation in a range of social activities. There are many sugges-tions about the opportunities for improve-ment, with a particular focus on ways to define the centre of the village more clearly. One persistent theme is the lack of somewhere for casual/drop-in meetings with others. A range of suggestions is also made for improvements to Steep Common opposite the Church.

Both of the village pubs are highly valued. Most comments reflect the wish to keep the greatly-loved Harrow fundamentally unchanged, whilst there is a wide range of suggestions as to how The Cricketers could be more successful, ideas which are cur-rently being progressed with the owners.

There is an exceptionally high proportion of residents who feel that Steep is a safe place to live. However, the Neighbour-hood Watch scheme is seen as capable of

improvement. Most respondents were able to access medical services easily, although some concerns were expressed by non-drivers, or those thinking about difficulties arising should they became unable to drive. 90% rated information about the village as good or excellent with the Steep & Stroud Newsletter cited as the major vehicle of village information. A number of positive comments and suggestions about the Newsletter were made. Noticeboards were also an important source of information af-ter the Newsletter and there were requests for additional noticeboards around the Parish. Steep has a well-established web site but the level of usage is still relatively low. Here, too, a range of suggestions for improvement were made.

Only a tiny proportion of Steep’s homes have mains gas, and only about half have mains sewerage. However, with the excep-tion of one area where the mains water pressure is inadequate, these elements of basic service are not regarded as a priority for change. Less than 60% had a broad-band connection that they regarded as “good” (a topic that featured strongly in the comments) so this element is undoubtedly the major priority for improvement, both for residential use and for local businesses.

The survey asked a question about a number of possible ‘green options’ for

Hays Cottages

The results for the 2011 Census are not yet available, but the Steep Survey of 2011 confirmed an increasingly elderly population (only 37% under the age of 40 with 29% in the over 60 group). The other interesting feature of the survey results was that, of those who were economically active, some 36% describe themselves as working from home - a much higher proportion even than in 2001.

The Steering Group draws two conclusions from this information:

1. The picture described echoes trends seen in other rural communities in the south east where a naturally ageing population is further exaggerated by a lack of housing supply and high house prices become increasingly beyond the reach of the young – even from lo-

cal families. As the young move away to start a family, there is a reduc-tion in the demand for local nursery school places and then reduced sup-port for the local primary school as well. Apart from the impact on community continuity this could, in the long-term, have implications for the viability of the schools themselves.

2. The increasing proportion of peo-ple working from home makes the provision of appropriate infrastruc-ture – especially broadband services – absolutely critical to the economic well-being of the area.

These topics are referred to later in the report.

10

sources of energy in the area. There is a clear interest in the idea of such commu-nity resources, but much more information is needed before there can be said to be strong “buy-in” to the idea.

A list of familiar concerns about roads or footpaths in the area, including vehicle speeds, poor road maintenance and lack of roadside footpaths emerges from the survey answers. Most survey respondents are concerned about substantial future developments within the Parish or in the wider Petersfield area which might intrude into the landscape views, and also noted that incremental changes to existing buildings and smaller-scale developments can also pose potential threats to the landscape.

The dominant sources of unwanted noises in the countryside are traffic noise from the A3 and the A272 and low-flying military helicopters. In the mainly low-lying area of Steep Marsh, traffic noise is much worse than in the rest of the parish and these residents are also more exposed to noise from the railway, especially train horns.

80% of respondents are unconcerned about or happy with the prospect of increased visitor numbers as a result of the National Park. However, there will be some impacts that will need to be managed, especially in relation to traffic, parking and litter.

The subject of residential development

prompted the largest volume of comments in the survey, with the vast majority of re-spondents concentrating their comments on social/affordable housing. There remains a wide divergence of views on this subject, with opinions strongly expressed on both sides of the argument. However, the survey reveals general recognition of the need for a modest increase in the stock of affordable housing in Steep, to meet at least part of the demand from both young families and the elderly. Careful work will be required on the precise location and the traffic impact of any such developments, and excellence of design is also a high priority.

Opinion about the revival of a project to develop a shop and post office in Steep is fairly evenly divided, but there are doubts about the viability of such a venture. Howev-er, the responses suggest that any individu-al initiative on this should be welcomed and supported. The only other business-related point to emerge from the survey relates to the impact of business traffic, principally in Steep Marsh. This remains a point of significant sensitivity for any new proposals for developments there.

Many wide ranging comments were made on how the performance of our local coun-cillors – parish, district and county – could be improved.

Overall, 92% of residents showed them-selves to be satisfied or very satisfied to be living in Steep.

The Harrow Inn

11

Steep’s church is the oldest and most vis-ible building in the Parish, and it continues to play a vibrant and vital role in community life.

The Church recognises its wider responsi-bilities and has excellent networks with the other institutions, particularly the schools. It works with the Parish Council to finance the newsletter, and has supported this as it has developed into more than just a “church” magazine. The community regards All Saints as “its church” – and not only for christenings, weddings and funerals. Weekly attendance is good and there is significant involvement in the church and its activities. A number of younger residents are partici-pating in the Church and other institutions, and this is a good sign for the future. How-ever, the need to nurture their involvement and encourage an open and welcoming stance is recognised.

The Parochial Church Council is interested in opening up the Church’s buildings for greater community use. There are chal-lenges in doing this, but the Steep Lectures and the occasional concert are examples of what can be achieved. Its importance as a tourist destination within the National Park and an information source about the village and its key inhabitants such as Edward Thomas will increase, and it is also now

beginning to be used for exhibitions and celebrations of village life.

The Vicar is an important link between the Church and the wider community and can reach out beyond the institution to all. It is worth appreciating, however, that Steep is privileged to have its Vicar living in the community at a time when the Church as a whole is cutting back on its paid employees, and this arrangement cannot be guaranteed for the indefinite future. Any change would mean a stronger role for lay members and recognition of the need to engage all age groups of the community in the work of the Church.

For the future, the church understands its historic role as a strong institution with links to all parts of the community and sees this continuing.

All Saints’ Church

All Saints’ Church, Steep © Hew Granlund

Steep Mission Church

“If only those poems which are place names could be translated at last, the pretty, the odd, the romantic, the racy names of copse and field and lane and house.”

12

CharitiesThe Steep War Memorial Village Club is the charity which manages and owns the freehold of the Village Hall, one of the most important public buildings in Steep. The charity was established in 1920, based on a gift of land from Bedales and funds provided by public subscription, with the stated purpose of being “a club and place of physical and mental recreation and for educational purposes for the benefit of the inhabitants of the parish of Steep without distinction of sex or of political, religious or other opinion”. The Village Hall is today a popular and well-equipped facility, efficiently run and entirely self-funding.

The Trustees of the Hall are keen to con-tinue to encourage use by all sections of the community, as well as visitors. They are looking at ways of encouraging use particularly by the younger age groups and at improvements to the car park, in conjunc-tion with decisions about the adjacent land referred to below.

A new charity has been established to carry the community responsibilities for the long term use and management for the patch of land opposite the end of Mill Lane – an area of just over half a hectare between

the boundary of the Village Hall car park and the Bedales headmaster’s house. The area has been intermittently used for allot-ments since the Parish was established in the nineteenth century and, more recently, as grazing land. However, it has been the subject of some controversy in the last ten years. The new board of charity trustees will be agreeing new objects for the charity prior to developing a plan for its future.

The Eames Almshouses, situated along Church Road, has been providing housing for the older generation in Steep, maintain-ing its properties to a high standard and keeping a watchful eye on the well-being of its residents for more than a 130 years. There is a waiting list for the six homes in the development. The charity has the financial capacity to increase the number of housing units by renting or building (if suita-ble land was available) but no firm plans ex-ist at the moment. As the Trustees develop their thinking on this, they would welcome working with the Parish Council and other landowners on possible solutions. The char-ity is also interested in raising the profile of the organisation as many people are not aware of its existence.

Eames Almshouses

A successful and well-regarded independent school, Bedales currently looks after around 750 students across the three schools on the campus. After a period of growth, the school now sees a broadly stable outlook over the next decade or so. The balance between day and boarding pupils is also felt to have reached a fairly stable point with about 300 full time boarders, with the school strongly committed to full boarding for a material proportion of the pupils. In terms of future trends, the school foresees a continuing increase in the use of the school facilities during the holiday periods. An early example of this is the plan for a small arts-oriented annual Summer School for adults starting in 2013.

There are about 70 accommodation units for teaching and domestic staff on the Bedales campus and along Church Road.

Although some of the catering staff live on-site, the majority live to the south of Peters-field and are transported in daily via a mini-bus service. The school has recently begun building work for three new houses for staff with a new access off Church Road.

The school has established a community out-reach programme to encourage pupils to engage with local activities of various sorts. The school is very committed to this and it will continue. The school is also keen to improve communications with the village through open evenings and events.The school benefits from a high-speed (but high-cost) dedicated broadband service to support the large numbers of computers on the campus. The school – reflecting the views of the residents revealed in the Survey above – would strongly support improvements in the overall broadband

SchoolsBedales

Olivier TheatreBedales School

13

Orchard Building, Bedales Shcool

Steep Church of England Primary School

Steep Primary School, established in 1875, is also flourishing. The school currently has just over a 100 pupils and is now full every year. About one in five of the pupils are residents of Steep. Some pupils may also come from Steep Marsh although as noted below this is outside the catchment area.

It is one of a number of “small” schools in the area (like Sheet, Buriton, East and West Meon) where year groups are less than a class of 30. There are good links between the village schools with regular governor liaison and collaboration over common curriculum issues and training. In spite of the decline in the younger popula-tion of Steep, the current primary school

roll across Petersfield is rising and will rise further with the proposed development schemes. There is therefore expected to be increased pressure on the available places in the surrounding village schools. Steep School is regularly having to turn away dis-appointed parents who would like to send their children here. There is an anomaly in the way that school catchment areas are set, in that, although Steep Marsh is physi-cally and administratively part of Steep, it is treated as part of the catchment of Sheet Primary School. This topic is referred to elsewhere in this report.

There are no plans to build extra class-rooms but the school is always looking at

service to Steep (see Parish Council action plan) which could provide a cheaper alterna-tive. The school would also be interested in

exploring joint work on any “green projects” proposed by the community.

Steep School Hall

Steep Primary School

14

ways of improving its accommodation and is currently exploring ways of enhancing the car park, as some employees currently have to park in Church Road.

Communication between All Saints’ Church and the school is active and effective. The Vicar regularly visits the school for collec-tive worship and is well known to the pupils. The relationship with Bedales is described as the best it has ever been. Bedales students regularly come into Steep School to gain work experience or help out. The Bedales pool is made available for all year groups for lessons during the year and, whenever there has been snowfall, Bedales has always cleared the access to Steep School – a service which is much appreci-ated.

The Common is a huge asset for the school. When the weather is suitable, it is used for PE and playtime as well as Sports Days, the Dance Festival, the Summer Fay-re, the Summer Ball and so on. The children do not use the Common play equipment

during school hours, but it is very popular after school.

Efforts are made to work and integrate with the wider community. The village is invited to join the school for the annual Christmas and Summer Fayres; the school has linked with the Welcome Club to share assembly presentations; and members of the local community come into the school to hear children read.

The school regularly uses the village web-site as a source of local information and has expressed a wish to see an information page developed, with contact information for all the key institutions and activities in Steep. It has been suggested that this might also be useful on a leaflet, modeled perhaps on the Welcome Pack summary offered to new residents.

The school is twinned with Bellville School in Wandsworth (which was the birthplace of Edward Thomas) and exchange visits have already begun.

The Nursery has been running since 1977 and moved to Steep Village Hall 20 years ago. It currently has 32 children on its register and, of these, five children are from Steep parish. The school is thriving and is optimistic about its future. Some of the children may go on to Steep Primary School but it is no longer a feeder Nursery. It enjoys good relationships with its immedi-ate neighbours and joins with Steep School for events such as Harvest Festival and Nativity. Students from Bedales regularly assist as part of their community service programme. The Nursery uses the Common for its Sports Day each year and also for picnics.

The reduction in the proportion of Steep children has happened steadily over the years and reflects the changing and older demographic profile of the village.

The Nursery brings a substantial number of people into the village from other parts of Petersfield, and its presence in the heart of the village adds to the sense of a daily, vibrant community, as well as making an im-portant contribution to the costs of running the Village Hall. It has also been used from time to time by staff from Steep School

and Bedales as day time child care. Look-ing to the future, the Nursery would like to see an upgraded Village Hall car park with improved access from Church Road and a telephone line at the Village Hall to support a broadband service.

Steep Village Hall

Jubilee Day Nursery

Steep School

15

SocietiesSteep Flower Show

2012 will be the Steep Flower Show’s 50th year at Bedales and it has been going since at least the Second World War. Steep is an “open” Flower Show which means that anyone can enter, not just local residents. There are normally over 700 individual entries and hundreds of people attend each year, from all parts of Steep and farther afield. Like the bonfire night event on Steep Common, this is an event which attracts a wide cross-section of the community. It is more than just a “Flower” Show in that a wide variety of classes such as crafts, pho-tos and poems are included and - always eager to engage the younger generation - the “scarecrow” exhibition has also proved to be popular with children.

A Plant Sale is usually held in May as an important fund raiser and this also helps to increase awareness of the Flower Show. The Flower Show Committee hopes that the event will continue to grow and develop, although no major changes are foreseen at the moment. The team which sets up the show is always looking for willing hands to help in preparing for the big day and plans to recruit additional helpers this year.

This is a major, annual, community event for Steep and has contributed to developing good relationships between Bedales and its host community.

Steep Flower Show

Steep Film Society

The society was established nine years ago in memory of the actor Sir Alec Guinness, a long-time resident of Steep. Set up with a bequest from Sir Alec and a Lottery Grant to purchase equipment, the society now comprises more than 230 members, of which about a third are Steep residents. It works well with a small committee, choos-ing films from lists and suggestions from members. It offers a varied programme over

the autumn and winter seasons. It provides a much appreciated community event on a regular basis, enabling people to mix and engage on their own terms and see films which they either missed when on general release or to which they would not normally be exposed. The remarkably loyal audience tends to be more representative of the slightly older sections of the population.

Sir Alec Guinness

16

Steep Tennis ClubStarted in 1906, the club is very active with a membership of more than 500, of which around ten percent are local residents. Owning its land and buildings, it boasts eight courts (of which six are floodlit) and a practice court. With two profes-sional coaches, it runs 13 teams in various

leagues and is about to launch an Academy initiative aimed at encouraging youngsters from all backgrounds to take up the sport. The clubhouse has been recently extended and modernised, but there are no plans for expansion in the foreseeable future.

Steep Cricket ClubThere has been a cricket club in Steep for at least 120 years. Owning its grounds, the club runs a full programme of matches, usually involving three games over each weekend in the season. In addition there are four junior teams and the club has also hosted Steep Stool Ball Club for the last 25 years. Financially stable, the cricketers have been successful in raising funds to build

a pavilion, install an AstroTurf wicket and purchase a bowling machine for juniors. The club is now firmly in the hands of a younger generation of players, with an emphasis on developing youth cricket. With strong links to local schools, it be-lieves that there will be a supply of new cricketing talent to assure a confident future for the club.

Petersfield Golf ClubThe Golf Club is located in Steep having moved from the Heath, Petersfield to Tankerdale Lane, adjoining the A3 in 1997. The Club has about 800 members of whom half are local to the Petersfield area. It manages about 120 acres of landscaped land, including clubhouse and reservoir. A successful club, it also owns a Pay and Play

course in Petersfield. The main problem for the club is the access from the A3. It is a very short slip road. Access is difficult in the dark and poor weather, particularly with the increased volume and speed of traffic following the opening of the Hindhead Tunnel.

In addition to the above, the Welcome Club meets twice each month for a variety of activities such as a talk, film, entertain-ment by local children or games, followed by tea and cakes provided by some of the younger members of the community. Ages range from 60’s to 90’s and there is always a good atmosphere and conversa-tion with friends and neighbours. This group

was re-formed as a direct result of a local meeting preparing for the Steep Parish Plan questionnaire. There is also a flourishing Women’s Institute which meets monthly in Steep Village Hall (known as the Stroud Evening WI) and, most recently, a Short Mat Bowls club taking advantage of the recently improved space in the Village Hall.

Petersfield Golf Club

Because of the spread of their membership across such a wide area, the Cricket, Tennis, and Golf Clubs are located in the community rather than being part of it, but they do, never-theless, greatly value and respect their attractive surroundings.

17

Agriculture is an essential feature of Steep. Whether measured by its contribution to community life or its effect on the land-scape, Steep would not be what it is today without its farms.

Farming has been practised in Steep over many centuries but, within that continual presence, there has been constant change. We have today fewer farms than we had, say, 50 years ago; what they do and how they do it has evolved; and the number of people employed in agriculture has contin-ued to reduce. However, our farmers remain a vital part of the local economy and make a valuable contribution to the ever-growing need for food here and abroad.

There are eight significant farming enter-prises operating within the Parish. Together they look after nearly 1,000 acres of our landscape. Each of the businesses is unique, but together they cover a number of types of livestock and arable farming, and a range of target markets from local to national, retail to wholesale, traditional to organic. None of the farms run milk-production operations in Steep any more, a major change from 50 years ago when most farms would have been expected to manage a dairy herd.

One activity which is common to most of the farms is grass production, whether to be grazed by animals or for turf. Our low-lying land, with its heavier soil which retains

moisture and which is sheltered by the Hangers to the north, provides the slightly warmer and wetter conditions in which grass thrives.

The nature of the landscape – folded, undulating land, bordered by steep slopes – tends to favour traditional smaller-scale farming rather than the industrial-scale farming operations which demand wider spaces to flourish. This is a limitation on the potential of the farm businesses but also encourages them to work with the grain of the landscape rather than trying to mould it to the needs of the farm. From the point of view of the farming spectator, this helps to preserve and protect the valued appearance of our surroundings. Indeed, the maintenance work carried out by the farmers on the margins of the fields – cut-ting hedges, clearing ditches creates the attractive mosaic of land which is a feature of the views from the Hangers.

It is worth noting that during the last sev-eral years a younger generation of farmers has started to take the reins of some of Steep’s farms, and will undoubtedly bring a new perspective to future developments. The Parish Plan Survey recorded the affec-tion that the community holds for the farms of Steep, as well as the value attributed to the work that they do. Residents also ex-pressed some regret at the gradual decline in the volume of agricultural activity. Oc-casional comments are made about muddy roads and minor lane-edge damage, but it is clear from our discussions that all of the farmers understand the importance of landscape and will continue to care for the surroundings in which they work.

AgricultureThe Farms

Ashford Farm

18

The Future for Farming

Contrasted with the rural idyll of yesteryear (which, of course, was never remotely as delightful as some imagined it to be) agri-culture is today a harshly competitive busi-ness, dramatically affected by national and international forces way beyond the control of an individual farmer in Steep.

The European Union Common Agriculture Policy and its system of support payments (an important element in farming econom-ics for five decades) is due for radical reform as early as 2013. This is widely expected to result in a further reduction in, or elimination of, subsidies. Any resulting in-crease in consumer prices may increase the demand for imported food and apply further downward price pressure on local produc-ers. The purchasing power of the supermar-kets who buy some of the farms’ output (either directly or indirectly) is strong and unsentimental – demanding ever increasing quality at the same or lower prices or going elsewhere to obtain it. Farmers grapple with the unpredictability of the climate and the risks of the sudden appearance of disease such as foot and mouth, or the recently identified Schmallenburg virus. If we add to this brew the continued depressed state of the economy, which particularly affects the premium end of the market, it is clear that farming will continue to be a very challenging business.

The survival of Steep’s farms will depend on their ability to respond to these changing conditions quickly, effectively and imagina-tively – identifying market opportunities and responding with the right level of quality; aiming to be the best at what they do. It is also likely to require continued diversifica-tion of activities on the farms. This may involve providing specialised contract ser-vices to other farmers; encouraging tourism (through farm experiences and holiday lets); farm-door sales and farm shops; and look-ing at alternative uses for existing buildings. The increasing interest in locally sourced, high quality foods also represents an op-portunity. Survival will demand improved ef-ficiency and the embrace of new equipment and technology.

“Every traveller in Hampshire remembers the road that sways with airy motion and bird-like curves down from the high land of clay and flint through the chalk to the sand and the river.”

Westmark

19

Smallholdings

In addition to the farms, Steep also sup-ports a number of smallholdings where the output - whether crops or animals - is predominantly consumed by the owners. These ventures do not, in general, oper-ate on a scale to support a family as they

would have done historically. But they are significant in their contribution to the mo-saic of land use and can offer ‘value added’ diversification such as nurturing rare breeds.

Equestrian Activities

The third important element of land use in Steep relates to horses. Significant areas are given over exclusively to grazing for horses and there are several equestrian properties with stable complexes. Whilst some may lament the steady change of land use from farming to equestrian, the changes that have occurred in recent years are an undeniable fact and can be seen

as a natural progression where parcels of idle farmland are sold off. Aspects of this change can be controversial but there are benefits to local farmers as equestrian ac-tivies provide a market for local grass, hay and haylage. Equally, horse-riding provides a great deal of pleasure for a significant number of Steep’s residents.

It is clear that the community already values the presence, as well as the work, of the farms in Steep. Continued tolerance and understanding by residents of farmers as they do their best to respond to the chal-lenges mentioned above will undoubtedly be appreciated.

Although it is not immediately obvious that farming is a priority objective for our new National Park, it is nevertheless properly respected in the EHDC/SDNPA’s Joint Core Strategy (see page 20 overleaf). The words clearly reflect some of the sensitivities out-lined above and it is hoped that the implied support from the SDNPA will be delivered in practice, as it gets into its stride. Past

experience with East Hampshire District Council – which was responsible for plan-ning decisions before the designation of the National Park has generally been positive, with officers reasonably well informed on agricultural matters. The farming community recognises that it needs to act responsibly when using the roads and lanes of the area. There is a case for a constructive dialogue with the County authorities to ensure that the right level of support is provided to keep these key arteries flowing properly – especially in snowy weather and when unusual volumes of traffic may be expected.

How can others help?

20

East Hampshire District Local Plan: Joint Core StrategyExtract para. 5.34

“The rural economy and enterprise strategy is to retain and enhance both established and new businesses and rural enterprises subject to their being consistent in scale and environmental impact with their location. As a part of this strategy priority will also be given to:

• working with others to retain, develop and promote rural enterprise, in particu-lar that associated with agriculture, horticulture and forestry infrastructure that can support local products and local markets

• developing markets for sustainably produced local, land-based products, includ-ing local foods sold through local outlets, and wood products

• developing initiatives that help nurture markets and business enterprise in rural skills including traditional building skills

• promoting understanding by the local community of the needs of rural enter-prise

• enabling residential development essential to maintain a rural workforce, in-cluding agricultural workers’ dwellings and rural affordable housing where there is an established local need.“

“The beeches on the beech-covered hills roar and strain as if they would fly off the hill, and anon they are as meek as a grey horse leaning his head over a gate.”

Timber Management

Historically, woodlands within the parish were actively managed. This was a source of local employment particularly during the winter months. Coppices were “harvested” at short intervals (seven to ten years) to produce small-size woodland products such as charcoal, hazel for hurdles, thatching spars and bean poles, ash for tool handles and sweet chestnut for fencing. Coppices were grown under long-lived oak and ash “standards” (large, tall trees) which were used in buildings, as well as meeting some of the demand for firewood. We can still see evidence of such activity today but system-

atic woodland and coppice management de-clined after 1945. Bringing our patchwork of woods and coppices back into more active and sustainable management could, if done appropriately, have significant and long term environmental benefits for biodiversity, im-prove the appearance of the landscape, and possibly provide employment. There would also be scope for residents to use locally sourced firewood and other woodland prod-ucts and for exploration of the possibilities of wood-fired heating for public buildings.

21

IndustrySteep’s industrial activity – in the form of small-scale business units – is all concen-trated in Steep Marsh. It is located mainly on the Brickyards site at the north end of the Marsh but, more recently, also at the end of Pratts Lane adjacent to its abrupt exit on to the A3.

The former brickyard used local clay to make bricks until the 1940s; several clay-pits are still evident in adjacent woods. It was subsequently developed into a poultry farm based around a number of single storey sheds for egg production. In 1980 the site was split into two. The poultry business continued under the new owner-ship of a larger-scale operation based in the Winchester area, utilising two large sheds at the west end of the site. The remainder of the site was developed with small single-storey sheds designed as light industrial units. There are approximately ten businesses running on the site today, in addition to the poultry farm. These include carpentry/joinery, catering, carpet storage, commercial plant suppliers and ink car-tridge/toner refilling.

Poultry rearing continues and improves-ments in production methods have ad-dressed the problem with flies. The main issue for local residents is the impact of traffic from delivery vehicles and this has caused conern. Decisions about any ad-ditional units will need to consider how traf-

fice management in Steep Marsh can best be addressed.

Although the existing units do not bring sig-nificant economic benefit or employment to local people at the moment, activity of this sort is an important element of an active and varied community and its existence can represent local opportunity in the future.

In recent years, a substantial business unit has been established on the Gardner’s Farm site at the end of Pratts Lane and is currently occupied by Haste. This has the advantage of being very close to a junction with the A3 but that junction is very abrupt, making access somewhat dangerous. The site is quite exposed and therefore highly visible in the landscape. It has also been suggested that there may be some oppor-tunities for business unit development on land within the Hilliers Garden Centre site on the east side of the A3 but still within the Steep boundary. This area has much better vehicular access than Steep Marsh.

“The woods below it hurry down to a precipitous pit full of the glimmering, trembling and murmuring of innumer-able leaves and no sight or sound of men.”

Steep Marsh

Business Units Stoner Hill

22

Summary

Based on all of the information above, we would characterise the views of Steep’s community and institutions today as follows:

We are generally very satisfied with where we live. Taken together, we believe that things can be improved but are certainly not pressing for major change - we quite like it how it is. Although living in a physically fragmented community across several settlements, we

• appreciate the exceptional landscape and heritage of the area • value the well-established and effective institutions • and enjoy participating in community events and the flourishing clubs and

societies

We generally know what’s going on in the Parish, thanks to an excellent newsletter and the power of the poster on noticeboards and telegraph poles; and the website is gradually becoming more commonly used as a store of useful information.

Our mains services are generally satisfactory and we broadly welcome the coming of the South Downs National Park. However, the age profile of the community is gradually becoming older – and at a faster rate than the national trend (which has implications for the future).

We recognise the need for some additional residential development for local people but are concerned about the visual impact of any new development and an increase in traffic. There is unease about the divisive nature of recent debates about affordable housing. Traffic continues to be a challenge throughout the parish and we would like its quantity and speed to be reduced. In particular we would like the traffic impact of business, mainly affecting the Steep Marsh community to be reduced. We regret the slow decline of agriculture locally but many of us feel lucky to be able to work from home.

We regret the passing of the Village Shop and Post Office but are not yet convinced that it can be revived. All three of our schools are effective, well-regarded and foresee a stable future, although the relatively small number of Steep children attending the Nursery and Primary Schools is a potential concern for the future. We would like to see relationships between Bedales and the community further developed and improved.

We love The Harrow and worry about the future of The Cricketers. We value the church as an active and supportive player in the wider community, as well as for the many members of its congregation.

On this foundation, we have formulated two important sections of this report – the Parish Design Guidance and the vision for the future.

23

Parish Design Guidance

The setting of Steep, with its distinctive built heritage of buildings and monuments within an outstanding landscape, means that it is important to ensure that it is conserved and enhanced for future genera-tions. This Design Guidance is intended to assist that process. After due considera-tion, the Steering Group does not think it practical or appropriate to seek Conserva-tion Area status for Steep but recognises that we do have a number of the features that Conservation Areas display. To give an increased level of protection and in con-junction with the proposal to seek special status in the National Park (see page 7), a

series of detailed policies has been devel-oped that update our original Village Design Statement to reflect the new planning poli-cies being applied through the Joint Core Strategy and Local Plan.

Set out below are the key elements of guidance for each of these topic areas. It is intended that these should be taken into account by anyone submitting plan-ning applications as well as those deciding on them or wishing to express support or objection to them.

“All the year round the coombes, dripping, green and still, are cauldrons for the making and unmaking of mists, mists that lie like solid level snow or float diaphanous and horizontal of airiest silk across the moon or the morning sun.”

24

SECTION 1: General Principles

1 Design Guidance - Setting, Character and Landscape

The special character of Steep’s landscape will be conserved and enhanced. Any develop-ment, extension or alteration of buildings and structures should:

a. Protect and enhance Steep’s settlements by respecting their history and heritage, especially in relation to individual buildings as listed in the Steep Buildings and Monuments Record

b. Conserve traditional farm buildings and maintain their external fabric, appearance and setting if their use is changed; ensure new farm buildings are sensitively inte-grated into the landscape

c. Conserve and encourage natural features which contribute to the distinctive char-acter of Steep’s landscape as identified in the Steep Local Landscape Character Assessment

d. Protect views into and out of Steep, respecting the natural beauty, wildlife and tran-quillity of the landscape and the setting of its cultural and built heritage

e. Enhance the landscape setting of new developments, including extensions, by incor-porating new planting of native species and further improve bio-diversity through the planting of hedges, trees, wild flowers and creating ponds

f. Avoid the siting of buildings, telecommunication masts or power lines in positions that would intrude on the sensitive silhouette of the Hangers

g. Minimise signage; use traditional designs and materials where signs are necessary

2 Strategic Gap

The open gap between Steep and Petersfield which includes most of the Bedales estate in the centre, and large areas of agricultural land to the east and west is protected by Joint Core Strategy Policy CP21. It is crossed by the C18 highway, and by several public footpaths. The most used is the Hangers Way, a long distance footpath, which forms an important link to Petersfield and provides views to the south and the northern edge of the town with the Downs beyond.

Briefly stated, the “Strategic Gap” extends from the A3 northwards to Steep. Development should not be permitted in any of this area.

Steep from the Hangers

3 Settlement Boundary

Steep Settlement Boundary

25

4 Rural Economy and Enterprise

Home working and diversification of farms help to promote the rural economy. It is recog-nised that these uses will continue to be permitted and encouraged, provided that they do not harm the character of the site and do not adversely affect the landscape, natural beauty, wildlife, cultural opportunities and opportunities for recreation. Further, new propos-als will need to fully assess the impact of traffic on the tranquility and setting of the development.

5 Horse Related Developments

The cumulative impact of equestrian uses can have a major impact on the landscape. A full planning application is normally required for keeping horses for non-agricultural purposes and for buildings to house them (unless these qualify as permitted development under the General Permitted Development Order). Horse-keeping for agricultural purposes not requir-ing planning approval, must be part of a registered agricultural unit. It is anticipated that the South Downs Planning National Park Authority will issue guidance on horse related developments, but in the meantime Local Plan Policy C12 should apply.

New buildings used for the stabling of horses will be expected to locate within the folds of landscape and woods so that they do not adversely affect the character and appearance of the surroundings.

Bracket Fungi

Within Steep, the East Hampshire Local Plan Second Review defines a Settlement Bound-ary for Steep. This should be respected by future developments.

Outside this boundary, the Joint Core Strategy Policy Development in the Countryside ap-plies (CP17). This acts as a general restraint on development and is intended to ensure that only proposals with a genuine and proven need in a countryside location are allowed.

Any amendments to the Settlement Boundary would need to be subject to careful consid-eration and appropriate community consultation.

“Local Plan Policy C12 Planning Permission will be granted for stables, horse-riding schools and/or riding centres in the countryside provided that the scheme would:

1. Re-use existing buildings or, where none exists or is not capable of conversion, be sited within an existing group of buildings

2. Be well-related to existing or proposed bridleways3. Not cause or exacerbate conflicts between equestrians and other

users of the public highway4. Not harm the living conditions of existing or future residents, and5. Not harm, by itself or in combination with existing equestrian

establishments, the character of the local landscape including the countryside setting of settlements

26

6 Design

The design of buildings needs to relate to the character of their surroundings and the distinctiveness of localities. Steep’s diverse built environment and its many key buildings and monuments are important, not only locally, but also within a national context, particu-larly its Arts and Crafts heritage. The Parish has a great diversity of buildings and although there is no single style or character that can be directly applied to new developments, it is important that the character, identity, landscape and heritage context of the Parish is respected and supported and that for each separate settlement within Steep, appropriate design guidance is applied. Developments should:

a. Be of a high standard in terms of design and architectureb. Be generally two-storey, respecting the scale, height, massing and density of adjoining

development and related spaces, buildings, materials and landscape features c. Use good quality and natural materials of appropriate scale and colour harmonising

with the surroundingsd. Recognise the distinctiveness of individual settlements, as set out in section 2 and

the key buildings and monuments that reflect the cultural heritage of Steep

SECTION 2: Design Guidance for individual settlement areas within Steep

Steep consists of a series of settlements and key buildings that have been appraised and described in the Settlement Character Assessment and the Record of Monuments and Buildings. Developments, alterations or extensions should be sympathetic to the character-istics and buildings of the individual settlements -

i) Ridge Common Lane and Lythe Lane

Both lanes have farms and cottages within the folds of fields and copses, mostly hiding a variety of traditional cottages with tile hangings and steep roofs. There are also a few modern houses but with a traditional look-and-feel. The farms are all Grade II listed: Soal (the oldest part being sixteenth century timber-framed with elevations of exposed timber framework, and with twentieth century additions in identical style and materials), Lythe with its Barn (early and late eighteenth century) and Aldersnapp (early nineteenth century). Other significant but unlisted buildings are Stroud Mission Church, built to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Jubilee in 1896; Collyers, a Victorian mansion of 1883/4 (referred to as a “pecu-liar house” by Pevsner); and Stonerwood Park, a neo-Georgian design by Baillie Scott and Beresford (1931) on the site of a former mansion and including gardens designed by Inigo Triggs, which are listed on Hampshire’s Historic Gardens Register.

The key design features to be recognised and respected in this area are:

a. Open views to the Downs and Hangers, folds of fields and copses in the landscapeb. The setting of: the listed farms at Aldersnapp, Soal, Lythe and its Barn; Stroud Mis-

sion Church; Collyers; and Stonerwood Park and its gardensc. Small clusters of houses in period styles, being mainly the former dwellings of agricul-

tural labourers attached to the foregoing farms

ii) Dunhill and Dunhurst

Dunhill is a small hamlet comprising the Grade II listed Vine Cottage, the Old Farmhouse (Dunhill Farm) and Granary, together with a small mix of modern houses set back from the road behind hedges and trees. These homes sit beside Stoner Hill Road (also known as Alton Road and formally designated as the C18). The road, which winds its way up Stoner Hill, was built in the 1820s as a turnpike to enable stagecoaches to avoid the very steep climb that the original, medieval route from Steep to Winchester entailed, as the land

27

around the village of Stroud was boggy. However, Parliament refused authority to collect tolls, resulting in heavy losses for the road builders. Today, it is a busy route linking Peters-field and Alton and the speed of traffic, despite the introduction of a 30 mph limit, is still a problem. Access to these dwellings, and to parts of the Bedales estate, is sometimes difficult and hazardous and will be a topic for consideration by the new Parish Traffic Management Group.

The key design features to be recognised and respected in this area are:

a. Views of the small hidden hamlet and farmstead and its setting within the hollow and folds of the land, together with the listed buildings at Dunhill Farm and Vine Cottage.

iii) Stoner Hill – The Cricketers Inn to Island

The Cricketers crossroads is a focal point where Ridge Common Lane and Church Road meet Stoner Hill. The Cricketers Inn and the commercial uses at the former garage face each other across this junction. Beyond, Stoner House and Island, two former country mansions are dominant. Both have gardens listed in the Hampshire Register of Historic Gardens and a mix of housing set within their grounds, above the former council estate of Hays Cottages.

The key design features to be recognised and respected in this area are:

a. Commercial uses at Steep Garage and the continued use of the Cricketers Inn as a Public House and its associated visitor facilities

b. The setting of Island and Stoner House and their respective grounds, together with their status as a Special Housing Area (Local Plan Policy H9)

iv) Church Road

Church Road is a linear form of settlement along a ridge leading as far as All Saints’ Church and Restalls (with its garden designed by Inigo Triggs), both Grade II* listed proper-ties. With the Bedales estate on its southern edge, the road contains a range of mostly twentieth century housing, including some key Arts and Crafts Grade II listed buildings - Five Oaks, Row Cottage, Little Hawsted - and others not listed, such as Merries, Pennyfold and Rozel. More recent housing is found on both sides, together with the Victorian Primary School and Almshouses and the Village Hall and the Grade II listed War Memorial. The Memorial, dating from December 1918, was the earliest erected in Hampshire following the First World War and was designed by Inigo Triggs who also designed Petersfield’s War Memorial in the High Street.

The key design features to be recognised and respected in this area are:

a. The linear form of Church Road and its Settlement Boundary, together with the size, scale, design and character of existing buildings

b. The sense of openness and spaces between the buildings, and the avoidance of any “tunnelling” effect

c. Recreational/community provision that complements the Village Hall, and minimises the impact on adjoining properties

d. The scale, style and character of Church Road’s Victorian and Arts and Crafts Listed buildings and the setting of other significant but unlisted Arts and Crafts buildings

v) Mill Lane and Ashford Lane

Mill Lane winds through a quiet and rural part of Steep, crossing the Ashford Stream below the waterfall that drains the large expanse of water above which was the original mill pond. The Lane is hidden and enclosed by a ridge escarpment to the north and with intermit-tent southerly views out to the Downs. Ashford Lane is a sunken lane, enclosed by banks and trees at the foot of the Hangers (a National Nature Reserve (NNR) and Site of Special

28

Scientific Interest (SSSI). The Hangers Way uses and crosses both lanes and is well trav-elled by walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Above is the sarsen memorial stone to Edward Thomas with its views to the Downs and beyond. Along the lane are a mix of farm houses and the large Arts and Crafts manor house of Ashford Chace and its gardens (listed in the Hampshire Historic Gardens Register). There are several country houses set on the ridge between the two lanes, looking out to the South Downs.

The key design features to be recognised and respected in this area are:

a. Future developments (extensions, conversions or replacement of existing properties) that respect the scale, tranquillity and rural character of the area and the views in and out

b. The setting of the listed Grade II Mill Cottage, and the modern buildings of Millponds, Millfall and Mill Corner at Ashford Stream

c. The setting of the listed Grade II coach-house to Old Ashford Manor with its roadside wall and Bees Cottage; Berryfield; Ashford Chace with its Gateway and Gatehouse buildings; and Little Ashford Farm

vi) Steep Hollow; Kettlebrook Lane; Elmwood Lane (part) and Burntash Lane

Steep Hollow leads from the eastern end of Church Road to Kettlebrook and eventually to Sheet, with the tennis and cricket clubs on the left followed by the Harrow Inn. It is linked to Elmwood and Burntash Lanes by the new Shipwrights Way, crossing the Ashford Stream. Extensive tree cover and sandy soils give a different feel to the area from other parts of Steep, with buildings largely hidden in the landscape.

The key design features to be recognised and respected in this area are:

a. The character and rural setting of Steep Cricket and Tennis Clubs b. The setting of the listed Grade II Steep Farmhouse, Harrow Inn and Kettlebrook Cot-

tagesc. The rural character, landscape and tree cover of the area

vii) Steep Marsh

Steep Marsh is at the foot of the scarp with ancient farms, the Victorian mansion of Coldhayes with its gardens, oast houses and a wide range of more modern housing in a residential hamlet. There are also significant agricultural, industrial and commercial de-velopments here with the industrial units on the Brickyards site representing the largest concentration of this type of activity in Steep, generating significant volumes of traffic. Traffic is probably the most sensitive issue in this area and is referred to elsewhere in the Parish Plan as a matter for action. However, there are special planning restrictions in force here which require planning permission for all types of development, including sheds and fences. Bowyers Common Lane leads east from the centre of Steep Marsh to an abrupt junction with the A3, beside which a new development of industrial units (the Gardner’s Farm complex) has been established.

The key design features to be recognised and respected in this area are:

a. The landscape and rural character of Steep Marsh to be maintained by respecting views in and out to the Hangers, the boundaries set by existing buildings and settle-ments, and the gaps between neighbouring communities

b. The setting of the listed Grade II* Coldhayes and its gardens, Grade II Gardner’s and Steep Marsh Farms, together with the unlisted oast houses

viii) Adhurst St Mary and Westmark

East of the A3 the golf course, the Adhurst St. Mary estate, Westmark Farm and the land on either side of the A272 wrap around the outskirts of Sheet and Petersfield.

29

Although the estate is well wooded, the open land of the golf course and the farmland around the A272 is flat and offers fine views to the South Downs.

The key design features to be recognised and respected in this area are:

a. The open landscape and views to the South Downs b. The setting of the listed Grade II Tankerdale farm and Adhurst St Mary (comprising

the house, its estate and a park which is listed in the Hampshire Historic Gardens Register), including the need to protect and conserve the building, which is “at risk”

ix) Bedales

Bedales Schools are set in a large estate of over 100 acres within an undulating rural land-scape bordered by the A3, Bell Hill and Church Road. There are several significant build-ings including the listed Grade I Memorial Library and Lupton Hall, the Olivier Theatre and Orchard Buildings on an open campus, with views out to the Downs. A Master Plan Strategy and a Landscape Strategy & Management Plan have been adopted by the School. The estate is part of the Strategic Gap between Petersfield and Steep, recognised in the Joint Core Strategy and identified in Policy CP21.

The key design features to be recognised and respected in this area are:

a. The Adopted Site Master Plan Strategy and the Landscape Strategy & Management Plan (“A School Within a Farm” 2009)

b. The open landscape setting of the school campus and its Arts and Crafts heritage, recognising that new designs can complement and add to the variety, provided their quality is of the highest standard

c. The setting of the listed Grade 1 Memorial Library and Lupton Hall, and that of the Orchard Building and the Olivier Theatre

d. The need to minimise the impact of school traffic on Church Road, ensuring that suit-able school travel plans are implemented and kept up-to-date

SECTION 3: Design Guidance Conclusions

The intention of the above guidelines, as in the original VDS, is not to prevent or inhibit development but to ensure that all new developments help to “conserve and enhance” those characteristics of Steep which the community holds most precious. This guidance is the result of extensive consultation and we believe it fairly reflects the views of the local community. We hope and expect that this Design Guidance will be adopted by the South Downs National Park Authority as Supplementary Planning Guidance. It would then become a material consideration in the planning decision process.

30

Leo Gauvain Steep Photography Winner

Our vision for the future

Our Vision for Steep

• A community that values and respects its exceptional landscape and heritage

• An active and vibrant community with a range of facilities and activities for all ages, involving all the different settlements of Steep

• A community linked to the outside world with high speed broadband, websites and information provision promoting opportunities for employment, economic growth and social activity

• A sustainable community that recognises the need for affordable housing and employment to meet local needs, in appropriate locations designed to fit with the local landscape and built heritage

• A community that manages the impact of traffic on its roads and lanes

• A special place in the South Downs National Park for visitors, with their impact recognised and managed

31

APPROPRIATE RECOGNITION OF OUR UNIQUE LANDSCAPE AND BUILT HERITAGE BY THE NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY REFLECTED IN PLANNING DECISIONS

Steering Group to work with the National Park Authority on ways in which Steep’s qualities can be recognised and further enhance the power of the Design Guidance elements of the Parish Plan to influence planning decisions.

Action by Parish Plan Steering Group with SDNPA: end 2012

A MORE EFFECTIVE CENTRE FOR STEEP AROUND THE VILLAGE HALL

The Parish Plan Survey revealed a wish by many residents to create a more effective centre to the village on land around the Village Hall. This is currently held in trust by a charity, as described on page 12. A range of uses has been suggested including a building or covered space for people to meet which could provide refreshments; the opportunity to sell local produce; or act as a National Park visitor centre/information point. Additional car parking; gardening allotments; housing; an orchard; a village shop/post office; a village green – and leaving it as it is! Although the land adjacent to the Village Hall is in the middle of the village, it is currently excluded from the Steep Settlement Boundary within which development is permitted. This land is allocated for recreational use in the existing Local Plan but is not at present used for this purpose.

a. The Parish Council should encourage the devolopment of a comprehensive plan for the future use of this land for community benefit

b. The South Downs National Park Planning Authority should be engaged at an early stage to ensure that it will be able to be flexible and supportive, when the plan is produced

Action by both charities with the Parish Council by end 2012; to produce a final Plan by end 2013

MODEST CHANGES TO STEEP COMMON

a. Review seating to consider if there should be more and if some modest picnic seating should be available

b. Review the play equipment to consider if it should be further enhancedc. Explore whether there could be some modest and sensitive provision for

parking, given the increased popularity of the Common as a leisure amenity

Action: Steep Common Group report to Parish Council by late 2012

AN INCREASE IN WELL-PUBLICISED, VOLUNTARY, NEIGHBOUR-SUPPORT ACTIVITIES

a. Work with Community First East Hampshire (CFEH) to increase local volunteering to support our community by identifying opportunities, providing training and developing a local contact point

Action by Steering Group/CFEH by Spring 2013

b. Ensure Neighbourhood Watch coordinators are appointed for each settlement, so that all households are covered

c. Review and publicise the arrangements for Police liaison and incident reporting

Our Vision will be achieved by specific actions in twelve areas:

Point One

Point Two

Point Three

Point Four

32

d. Improve communications between coordinators and ensure that regular publicity is undertaken throughout Steep

Action on all items by Neighbourhood Watch Group by Autumn 2012

MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVOLVING STEEP MARSH IN VILLAGE LIFE

The Steep Marsh community is physically separate from the main concentration of population in Steep, and the road system (and gravity!) tends to encourage travel towards Liss and Petersfield rather than up to Steep unless there is a strong reason to make the climb. However, we are all part of a single administrative unit, we share a name and the Steering Group strongly supports continued action to strengthen the linkages between Steep and Steep Marsh (as well as the other “outlying” parts of the Parish). The following actions are proposed:

a. Review the possibility of transferring Steep Marsh into the catchment area of Steep Primary School

b. Hold two Parish Council meetings a year in a location in Steep Marshc. Use the monthly Library Van visit as an opportunity to hold councillor “surgeries”

in the Marsh, and use them as information sessions, perhaps also involving the community policeman. Use these to identify key priorities of community

Action: Parish Council - on-going, starting Autumn 2012

d. Establish a flagship parish project to support the upgrading of the very poor state of the lanes and verges of Steep Marsh, in conjunction with Hampshire Highways

Action: Parish Council Traffic Management Group - end 2012

HIGH SPEED BROADBAND SERVICES AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE AREA AND IN OUR PUBLIC BUILDINGS

a. Ensure households register their interest in better broadband speeds on the HCC website

b. Work closely with Nick Drew of EHDC and HCC to ensure Steep is included in the proposed roll out of enhanced rural broadband

c. Develop plan for provision of a line for broadband service to the Village Hall

Action: Parish Council - on-going

THE COMMUNITY WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA PROVIDING ACTIVE SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND A LIVELY FORUM FOR DEBATE, IN SUPPORT OF A HEALTHY NEWSLETTER

a. Continue to encourage all organisations, groups and societies to publicise their events in a monthly diary in the Newsletter, on noticeboards and the website

Action by Newsletter Team by Autumn 2012

b. Build a voluntary email database of Steep residents, as a basis for sending out reminder email alerts for upcoming events

Action by WebMaster by Autumn 2012

c. Refresh the structure and appearance of the website

Point Five

Point Six

Point Seven

33

Action by WebMaster by end 2013

d. Encourage Newsletter and website to work together to mutual benefits

Action by Parish Council by Autumn 2012

e. Review suggestions for additional noticeboards around the Parish including junction of Lythe Lane with Ridge Common Lane, Hays Cottages, and Steep School/common and improve maintenance of the boards

Action by Parish Council by end 2012

A MODEST INCREASE IN THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING STOCK, AIMED PRINCIPALLY AT THE ELDERLY AND YOUNG FAMILIES WITH LOCAL CONNECTIONS

Whilst the general goal is reasonably clear, the way in which it is achieved is not at all defined at this stage. However, the Steering Group believes that the characteristics of an acceptable solution are becoming clearer.

The proposed criteria against which any proposal should be judged will vary slightly according to the location but the following is an initial position:

• excellence of design, preferably echoing Arts & Crafts style • low visual/landscape impact (building mass) and appropriate positioning in the

selected site or sites• minimum traffic impact• sustainability (“green-ness”) • economically viable

It is possible, but by no means certain, that the land in the centre of the village could be part of the solution. In any event the Parish Council will need to talk with local landowners, including Bedales, about other site possibilities. It is recommended that the Parish Council should work in conjunction with the Eames Almshouses charity and other sources of expertise and funding on the project.

a. Establish community project team to work on site identification and partner selection

Action by Parish Council by early 2014

ADDITIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LIMITED TO SITES WITH MINIMAL TRAFFIC IMPACT

The challenges of business traffic in Steep Marsh are discussed on page 21. The Parish Council should consider the following recommendations of the Steering Group and confirm its approach for future planning applications:

a. No further business units on the Brickyards site without accompanying work on traffic management

b. Examine the possibility of additional business units on the Gardner’s Farm site (currently occupied by Haste, adjacent to the A3 junction in Bowyers Common Lane), but only if accompanied by an upgrade to the A3 junction and appropriate screening

c. Examine the possibility of the use of land forming part of the Hilliers Garden Centre on the east side of the A3; of farm property looking for diversification; and other sites for future business unit expansion

Policy review and decision by the Parish Council by end 2012

Point Eight

Point Nine

34

IMPROVED TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT WHICH ENABLES RESIDENTS TO MOVE AROUND MORE CONFIDENTLY AND SAFELY THAN THEY CAN TODAY

a. Work with Hampshire Highways to explore ways that could discourage the use of Steep Marsh, Church Road and Ridge Common Lane as “rat runs” to decrease volume of traffic

b. Work with Hampshire Highways to review speed limits on Stoner Hill and Ridge Common Lane and investigate how lower speeds might be encouraged or enforced

c. Investigate whether the “Quiet Lanes” concept that has been piloted in other areas would be appropriate for some Steep lanes

d. Open a new dialogue with Bedales regarding traffic flow in and out of the campus to reduce traffic using Church Road

e. Investigate with Hampshire Highways the feasibility of designating and upgrading the footpath along the C18 as a dual cycle/footpath

f. Work with Bedales and Hampshire Highways regarding upgrading the surface of the footpath from the church to Petersfield to make it suitable for year round use by school pupils

g. Investigate the suitability and possibility of installing a safe footpath from Island to Hays Cottages

Action: Traffic Management Group report to Parish Council by Summer 2013

A QUIETER AND LESS INTRUSIVE A3

a. Campaign with our MP and in liaison with Parishes, EHDC, HCC and SDNPA to persuade the Highways Agency to install a quiet surface when the carriageway is renewed

INCREASED VISITOR NUMBERS AS A RESULT OF THE NATIONAL PARK WELCOMED, INFORMED AND MANAGED

Review access and parking arrangements for visitors to key attractions such as the Church and Shoulder of Mutton and link to the South Downs National Park’s Management Plan

Action by Traffic Management Group by Summer 2013

Review options for Village Hall to provide refreshments, information and toilets

Action by Village Hall Trustees by Summer 2013

Work with SDNPA to improve footpath and track signage

Action by Steering Group by Winter 2013/14

Develop current visitor information, including one or more structured walks in the area, in both printed and internet form

Action by Steering Group by Winter 2013/14

Point Ten

Point Eleven

Point Twelve

35

Conclusion

Parish Councils have an unenviably challenging task, representing the level of democracy closest to the electorate, but with little in the way of financial resources or ultimate decision-making authority. However, whilst most of the priorities above will require hard work and guidance from the Parish Council, we believe - based on our best assessment of the views of all of those with an interest in Steep - that this represents a truly common agenda, not just the ambitions of a few. By working carefully together with all of the stakeholders over the next few years this vision can be achieved by the Parish Council and the community of Steep.

36

“The Origins of Steep” by W.H. Whiteman (Petersfield Area Historical Society, 1978)

Archaeology and Historic Buildings Record, held by Hampshire County Council

Edward Thomas quotes from “The South Country”, Little Toller Books 2009

“Buildings of England, Hampshire: Winchester and the North” by Michael Bullen, John Crook, Rodney Hubbuck and Nikolaus Pevsner, Penguin 2010

Illustrations by Rollo Wicksteed

Design and layout by PosAbilities Ltd

Images supplied by the Steep Parish Plan Steering Group and local residents

Ordnance Survey Map Licence Number LC 100024238

Steep Parish

Parish Boundary

Acknowledgements

37

The following were members of the Steep Parish Plan Steering Group:

Tony Struthers (Chair)

Trevor Hines (Treasurer)

Fran Box

Linda Henderson

Jim MacDonald

Linda Munday (EHDC)

James Rush

Lucy Soal (EHDC)

Ray Street

Peter Cruttenden (Secretary)

Graham Banks

Terry Cook

Drake Hocking

Philip Mileham

Alex Patchett-Joyce

Geoffrey Russell

Celia Storey

Jeremy Young

Thanks

We would like to extend our thanks to all of those who helped us with expertise and opinion in the course of our work. We are particularly grateful to Steep Parish Council (the main sponsors of this Plan), East Hampshire District Council, Hampshire County Council and Bedales School for financial support and to the South Downs National Park Authority for advice.