SURREY HILLS AONB BOARD

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 16th OCTOBER 2013

AT WARREN FARM BARNS

CORE MEMBERS

*Cllr Michael Sydney Tandridge District Council*County Councillor, Marisa Heath Surrey County Council*Cllr David Wright Guildford Borough Council*Cll David Pay Reigate & Banstead Borough Council*Cllr David Mir Mole Valley District Council*Cllr Mike Band Waverley Borough Council*David Kennington National TrustAdam Wallace Natural England

ADVISORY MEMBERS

*Tim Harrold CPRE*Sarah Jane Chimbandwira Surrey Wildlife Trust*Megan Cameron CLA*Liz Cutter SALC Ian McCubbine National Farmers Union

OBSERVERS

*Chris Howard Surrey Hills Society*Simon Whalley Surrey Hills Enterprises*Neil Maltby Surrey Hills Trust Fund

*Members present

OFFICERS IN ATTENDANCE

Rob Fairbanks Surrey Hills AONB OfficeCarrie White (Minutes) Surrey Hills AONB OfficeLisa Creaye-Griffin Surrey County CouncilRod Shaw Mole Valley District CouncilSophie Benazon Reigate & Banstead Borough CouncilLesley Waddell Guildford Borough CouncilClive Smith Surrey Hills AONB Planning Adviser

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ACTIONS

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1 INTRODUCTIONSMichael Sydney welcomed all to the meeting of the Surrey Hills AONB Board.

2 APOLOGIES

Adam Wallace of Natural England

3 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

3.1 The minutes of the last meeting held on 3rd July were agreed.4 MATTERS ARISING

4.6 Mike Band reported that the Shamley Green traffic calming pilot was nearly complete, including the vehicle activated sign.

4.4 Members highlighted that cycling remains a major issue in the Surrey Hills. Liz Cutter stated that SALC members discussed the issue as well and highlighted the significant unrest in local communities about the volume of cycling in the Surrey Hills. Neil Maltby outlined the issues and stated that there did not appear to be enough, if any, recompense to affected local communities and businesses. These matters needed to be considered as part of Surrey County Council’s cycling strategy that was currently being consulted on.

Marisa Heath stated that Surrey County Council should consult with the AONB Board before further events.

It was agreed that the AONB Board should write to David Hodge, copied to Helyn Clack, to highlight the cumulative effect on the villages and to advise that pressure should be put on event organisers to make a contribution to the Surrey Hills Trust Fund.

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5 Development Pressures and the NPPF5.1

5.2

5.3

5.5

Clive Smith outlined that the purpose of the report was to draw attention to the development pressures in Surrey and their impact on the AONB and Areas of Great Landscape Value. (AGLV).

Clive Smith highlighted that a draft of the report had been circulated to the Heads of Planning and amended based on their feedback. He further reported that Nick Boles, the Planning Minister, had written a helpful letter to Ann Milton suggesting that development should steer clear of Protected Landscapes. As an open letter, Clive Smith stated that it was a material planning consideration that an Inspector should take into account, although it would be up to the Inspector to determine what weight would be attached to it. It did also highlight that it was the decision of the local planning authority through a robust plan making process to determine the level of development; and that an Inspector should not be in a position to over-rule this.

Mike Band agreed the Nick Bole’s letter was a very helpful statement but highlighted that the AONB Board still needed to put pressure on Government. David Wright proposed that Nick Bole’s letter is referred to in the proposed

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5.6

5.7

5.8

5.9

5.10

letter to the Prime Minister. He highlighted the urgency of doing this, but stated the need to articulate a clear argument regarding development on a case by case basis.

Simon Whalley highlighted that `balance’ was a weasel word. Tim Harrold commented that statements and letters, such as Nick Boles, were not given any weight because they were not interpreted by the Inspectorate as being policy. Whilst he supported writing to the Prime Minister he also thought the AONB Board needed to assert pressure on the respective local planning authorities. He referred to sites in Guildford Borough where the enhanced aspiration of development created uncertainty and blighted the landscape.

The AONB Board agreed that a letter should be sent to the Prime Minister, copied to the respective planning authorities and MPs. Also that a letter be sent to the respective heads of planning highlighting the points that should be taken into account in the relevant plan preparations.

David Wright also highlighted the need to engage in the respective plan making process. He stated that the AONB Board needed to seek clarification on individual decisions. Mike Band supported this approach.

David Wright also highlighted the issues related to understanding the methodology and evidence base for determining housing needs and sustainability. Clive supported the approach but highlighted that the AONB Board needed to work within its remit and that wider issues need to be picked up by the Surrey Planning Officers Association.

Chris Howard outlined the problem of land values in Guildford going through the roof where there was seen to be a possibility of development and the damage that has resulted. She stated that there was tremendous local concern.

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6 AONB Boundary Review

6.1 Rob Fairbanks reported that he had not seen the completed Landscape Character Assessment and proposed Candidate Areas, which had not therefore been seen by the AONB Board. He explained that the study was due to be discussed by the Surrey Planning Officers Association (SPOA) on Friday 18th October. The Heads of Planning would then be in a position to brief their respective Members before the proposed Extraordinary AONB Board meeting on 6th November.

6.2 Tim Harrold requested copies be circulated to AONB Board members at the same time, following the SPOA meeting. Lisa Creaye-Griffin agreed to let AONB Board Members know what has been provided to local authorities and arrange for that information to be made available as soon as possible before the 6th November.

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6.3 It was agreed that an extraordinary Board meeting will take place on 6th November.

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7 Surrey Hills AONB Management Plan

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7.1

7.2

7.3

7.4

7.5

7.6

7.7

Rob Fairbanks presented the report on the consultation draft AONB Management Plan. He explained that the structure of the document attempted to be much clearer about the audience and in its layout, with three sections being the Introduction, The Policies, and the Delivery Strategy. He explained that further work in the consultation period was still required on a Strategic Environmental Assessment, Landscape Character and the monitoring of landscape change.

Rob Fairbanks highlighted that reference documents would be made available online, with printed versions of the main consultation draft Plan for key partners with a template response form. The AONB Unit was also preparing an online survey for a wider audience to gather information on identifying areas including the threats and pressures, and priorities for action.

Rob Fairbanks also outlined the consultation process and proposed timeline, culminating in a launch in May or June 2014 to coincide with the Partnership tour.

Tim Harrold highlighted that the existing Management Plan policies were not often referred to by councillors or some officers in planning departments. He stressed that the AONB Board needed to consider raising awareness of the Plan.

Mike Band stated that proposed timetable for getting the Plan adopted was very ambitious, and advised that this be reconsidered by officers.

Rob Fairbanks stated that the Consultation document was planned to be launched at the Partnership meeting on 6th November, and requested that any further comments on the draft be sent to him by the end of October.

The AONB Board thanked Rob and the officers for their hard work on getting the draft prepared.

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8 Surrey Hills AONB Group Report8.1 AONB Unit Report

Rob Fairbanks provided an update on the activities of the Surrey Hills AONB Unit and invited the Members to ask any questions.

Tim Harrold circulated the latest copy of the CPRE newsletter to members’ attention.

8.2 Working Groups

8.2.1

8.2.2

Off-Road Working Group. David Wright reported that steady progress was being made on the management of Byways Open to All Traffic (BOATs), particularly help from Surrey Police on enforcement issues.

Mountain Bike Working Group. Neil Maltby reported that the new Leith Hill trail is due to commence work in the near future and would be formally opened in spring 2014. He reported that the Working Group celebrated its 5th birthday by summarizing its achievements and looking forward to the next 5 years. He explained the strategy was to create a circular route

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8.3

8.3.1

8.3.2

network in the Guildford and Dorking areas, through the Surrey Hills. He also reported his intention to pass on the Chairmanship of the Group to David Mir.

De-cluttering Highway Working Group. Liz Cutter reported on the new Street Designs for all guidance prepared by Colin Davis but stated that it mainly related to urban areas and highlighted the importance of looking at rural areas.

It was agreed that the Members Advisory Group should review the progress with the Group and consider how best to take this important area of work forward.

Liz Cutter was also going to chase Jason Russell to ensure that the Shamley Green pilot project is comprehensively evaluated, particularly impacts on traffic speeds and visual impact.

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8.4 Surrey Hills Society. Chris Howard handed out the latest Surrey Hills Society newsletter and highlighted the success of the Wood Fair, which was supported by the Society and also by a donation from Marisa Heath’s Members’ allocation. She stated that awareness raising and promotion is top of the list of priorities of the Society going forward. The AGM is on 2nd

November. There will be a new co-ordinator, Anne Barry, starting after the AGM.

8.5 Surrey Hills Enterprises CIC

Simon Whalley reported that the Surrey Hills Wood Fair had increased the number of exhibitors and visitors again in 2013. He highlighted the excellent feedback from all visitors and that the feedback from exhibitors was also very positive. He particularly thanked Ken Bare for chairing the event, which made a profit of over £2000 after reimbursing Birtley Estate staff costs for the first time.

Simon Whalley also highlighted that the Wood Fuel Conference was a very successful event that made over £4,500 profit. He thanked Carrie White for all her hard work.

He reported that building on the success of these two events, recruitment of members can now continue in earnest. He outlined the CIC Board membership and proposed a way forward to ensure membership from Marisa Heath and John Furey, as the Surrey County Council Directors.

Simon also thanked Vincent O’Connell from Surrey County Council, who has helped secure EU funding of about £40k for promotion of local wood potential with a French lead partner. This would support Sean Harrison’s role, and help support the Wood Fuel Conference and Wood Fair.

Simon also reported that Enterprises is working with Ian Wyndle to put together corporate training packages based on natural models in the environment. He highlighted that this could be a good earner for Surrey Hills Enterprises and a good introduction to corporates.

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8.6 Surrey Hills Trust FundNeil Maltby stated that the Fund Agreement with the Community Foundation for Surrey was founded on April 30th. . He highlighted that it aimed to attract large donations to help fund projects which meet the priorities within the AONB Management Plan.

Neil outlined the Fund Panel which would comprise of the AONB Board Chairman, Vice-Chairman, AONB Director, Surrey Hills Society, Surrey Hills Enterprises and a Surrey Community Foundation Trustee.

Neil requested any ideas for donors. ALL

The Board noted the activities of the AONB team and Working Groups

9 Partnership Meeting on 6th November

9.1 Rob Fairbanks outlined the proposed arrangements for the annual Partnership meeting. This included the launch of the consultation Management Plan and presentations from the Surrey Hills family. The extraordinary meeting of the Board to consider the AONB Boundary Review would take place in the morning.

ALL

10 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

10.1 There was none.

11 DATES FOR 2014 MEETINGS

The Board noted the following dates for 2014 meetings:

Wednesday 29th January Board MeetingWednesday 16th April Board MeetingWednesday 9th July Board MeetingWednesday 15th October Board AGM and Meeting

Friday 20th June Partnership TourFriday 21st November Annual Partnership Forum

The above minutes are a true record of the Surrey Hills Board meeting held on Wednesday 16th October 2013.

Signature of Chairman

Date

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