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Plan 13

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20. Trees & Hedges

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Plan 14

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20.1 The two conservation areas of Chiddingfold and Northbridge are Low Weald

landscape of predominantly low lying, gently undulating land form that is very well wooded, with numerous mature trees, small copses, hedgerows with trees and remnants of woodland (shaws) bounding the patchwork of irregularly shaped fields. The variations in landform and the pattern of fields interspersed with woodland frame views some of which have become obstructed, but makes for an attractive, intimate, verdant setting. A particular feature is that fields with their bounding hedges and native hedgerow trees come right in to the edge of the conservation area and form an important part of its setting. Some of these fields are still used for farm livestock with hedges and trees maintained. Others are becoming overgrown, thin and/or infested with weed species and ivy.

20.2 The woodlands surrounding the conservation areas are predominantly oak

and ash with wild cherry, field maple, hazel coppice, holly and thorn. This species mix is typical of that found on the heavy, poorly draining clay soil. Much of the woodland including the ghyll woods, copses and shaws is considered ancient (i.e. in existence as woodland for in excess of 400 years). Traditional management of many of these woodlands has been neglected due to them no longer being economically viable for timber production. They are considered species rich, providing valuable habitat for an abundance of flora and fauna.

20.3 The most obvious and striking individual element of the indigenous landscape

immediately in and around the conservation area settlements is the dominance of mature oak trees within the hedgerows and shaws that provide a wooded backdrop to views from the main road.

20.4 Their natural longevity and preference for the prevailing climate and soils

makes oaks the retained feature of choice. Specimens of one hundred years plus abound with some notable trees closer to two centuries old. Where standing as linear groups or in isolation they often demarcate the previous existence of old hedgerow lines. However there are few young oaks, except some adjacent to the school and just north of Lincolns Hill where part of a field has been planted in the last decade as mixed woodland. For sustainability there needs to be a full spread of ages.

20.5 The active management of trees as a material for construction and furniture is

part of the heritage of Chiddingfold as is witnessed by the prevalence of half timber construction and Wealden barns. Until 150 years ago it was part of the strategic materials source for ship construction for the Navy. Charcoal burning for Glass, bricks and iron was banned in about 1600 to conserve oak for the navy.

20.6 A particular feature of Chiddingfold woodlands was the coppicing of ash and

hazel for working sticks. Walking stick factories were a major source of local employment until late in the 20th century. While active management of hazel coppice was widespread, ash coppice for sticks was a possibly unique feature of the Chiddingfold area.

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20.7 In the conservation areas there are 5 main types of trees.

• Remnant native hardwoods trees and hedgerow species. • Victorian plantings of large trees (Cedar, firs and conifers, Lombardy poplar

etc) appropriate for large gardens of the period. Many of these trees are nearing the end of their life and many where lost in the gales around 1990. The appropriate gradual replacement of this style of planting would benefit the conservation area.

• Cottage trees largely productive apple, pear, plum, quince which form part of the traditional pattern of planting in the village.

• Ornamentals of varying appropriateness in type and scale mostly planted in the second half of the 20th century. Some have become important features in the conservation area. Others are growing to disproportionate size, becoming overcrowded or are inappropriately sited.

• Weed Trees. Overgrown ash stumps, large eucalyptus, sycamore, turkey oak, etc

20.8 Chiddingfold Conservation Area

The larger Chiddingfold Conservation Area centres on the Village Green. Many of the larger, older residences are included within the designated boundaries and consequently a number of more diverse plantings provide features of interest. The most significant landscape features and those of cultural / heritage interest have been highlighted in bold:

• Oaks and hedges in field by road opposite cricket pitch to east • Belt of six horse chestnuts and two scots pine to rear of cricket pavilion • Large ash and walnut in grounds of Burrell House • Pair of horse chestnuts at Waterfield • Copse of predominantly oak / ash at end of School Lane • Group of four roadside oaks in St Mary’s school grounds • Belts of predominantly oak / ash bounding Coxcombe Lane playing field and

extending into and around The Old Rectory grounds with pine, fir and larch breaking through tree canopy, some of which are dead.

• Cherry trees planted on verge at northern end of Coxcombe Lane • Roadside oaks and yews along Coxcombe Lane • Weeping ash at frontage of Centuries • Oak to rear of Westbank • Pollarded horse chestnut at entrance gate to Glebe House • Giant sequoia adjacent to drive to Glebe House and Cedar in grounds – Row

of fastigiate hornbeam behind roadside hedge • Walnut on frontage of Hadmans • Gum tree (eucalyptus) to rear of Chantry House • Evergreen magnolia grandiflora against front elevation of Botley House • Mixed relatively young plantings to front of Botley house including – purple

leaved plum, maidenhair tree (Gingko), sweetgum (liquidamber), Indian bean tree (catalpa), gum tree (eucalyptus) and purple maple

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• Planted shelterbelt to south of Pockford Road including – pine, Norway maple (large), sycamore, cherry, ash and horse chestnut

• Group of hedgerow hornbeams adjacent to public bridleway between Pockford Road and Pickhurst Road

• Horse chestnut rear of Greenaway • Hedgerow oak with broad spreading crown between Greenaway and

Marden Well • Plantings within grounds of Chiddingfold House – including horse chestnuts,

cypress’, pines and copper beech - Principally screened from road by indigenous hedgerow trees

• Group of six oaks to frontage of The Coach House • Young honey locust. (Gleditsia) – On Village Green opposite Botley House • Larch within grounds of the Coach House fronting village green • Large tulip tree (plus golden false acacia) in grounds of The Manor House to

rear of dwelling • Clipped yew tree to front of The Manor House • Five hawthorn trees on verges along The Green and outside the Crown Inn

(two have remaining trunk sections held together by steel hoops) • Group of four pollarded limes around The Forge • Ash, willow and alder clothing stream bank • Whitebeam by pumping house • Ornamental apple tree (‘Golden Hornet’) on verge at entrance to Turners

Mead • Western red cedar on frontage of Fairfield • Yew tree on boundary of Winterfields • Two lombardy poplars either side of Mill Lane (St Mary’s Mill – recently struck

by lightning - and Church Cottage respectively) • Line of three lime trees with epicormic basal sprouts along Mill Lane • Alders along stream banks south of Mill Lane • Maple in field west of St Mary’s Mill • St Mary’s Churchyard plantings including – laburnum by Lych gate, ash

and large oaks bounding site, evergreens - yew, (including circa 250 year old male yew planted to west of tower currently under threat from proposed development in churchyard), Irish yew, box, holly and cypress and deciduous plantings - generally younger with exception of false acacia (in decline) to south of Tower

• Mature hedgerow oaks bounding fields to west of church • Pair of horse chestnuts beside footpath to Ballsdown • Cypress, yew, golden false acacia, hornbeam and maple in grounds of

Beckhams • Crowded Belts of mature planting around Glebe Cottage providing

screening to Glebe House including – oak, yew, false acacia, sycamore, beech, copper beech and London plane

• Coppiced willow and birch around village pond • Young plantings including commemorative sycamore beside pond

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20.9 Northbridge Conservation Area

Northbridge Conservation Area contains few individual trees of note. The principal individual tree features as one passes through on the main road are:

• Belt of mature trees forming an old hedgerow bank to the north of the

Winterton Arms • Primarily ash, alder and willow clothing stream banks • Golden false acacia to front of Meadow Cottage • Hedgerow oaks bounding main road to the west (including group of three

opposite Hatchetts on bend) • Ash, oak and birch trees retained within the grounds of The Old Barn and gum

tree (Eucalyptus) to rear • Pair of western red cedar on the frontage of The Biggin • Group of douglas fir to rear of Elm Cottages • Weeping willow (plus weeping birch and sweet chestnut) – Amenity area to

east of Tapleys

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Plan 15

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21. Protecting Historic Buildings

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Plan 16

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21.1 The section on the character areas and on the history of Chiddingfold

provides information about the listed and locally listed buildings in the conservation areas. This section focuses on the processes involved in the preservation of historic buildings.

21.2 The protection of listed buildings

The relevant policies on historic buildings are set out in the Waverley Borough Local Plan. These are “saved” policies in the Local Development Framework. These policies are used to protect historic buildings. The law is too complex to explain it here, but listed building consent is required for most work to the exterior or the interior of a listed building that would materially alter its appearance. The Borough Council has a Historic Buildings Officer who concentrates on applications for listed building consent. An abbreviated version of the Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Buildings list is included in Appendix 1. There are 33 listed buildings in the conservation area around the Green and 4 in Northbridge.

21.3 The condition of the historic buildings

The larger properties in the conservation area around the Green are very high in value and are in prime condition. The smaller properties in the conservation areas are also very well cared for. There are no listed buildings on the “Buildings at Risk Register” in the conservation areas. Codling Cottage on the Pockford Road remains vacant, but conservation area consent has been given for its demolition.

21.4 The local list of historic buildings

The local list comprises those buildings that the Borough Council considers to be worthy of preservation for their local character and interest, but they fall short of the current national standards for inclusion in the statutory list devised by English Heritage. There is no special protection for these buildings but their identification affords them the recognition that they should be protected wherever possible. The existing list of locally listed buildings is included in the abbreviated list at Appendix 1.

The area character studies have identified a number of buildings that merit

local listing status. These are listed within the individual character area studies.

21.5 Article 4 Direction

There are 14 properties in Chiddingfold that are covered by an Article 4 Direction. This was made in 1984 and removed permitted development rights to alter the external appearance of a dwelling. Normally, planning permission is not needed to make minor alterations, such as removing a chimney or altering a

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window, unless the building is listed as being of architectural or historic importance. However, there were a number of unaltered cottages in the conservation area that were not listed or locally listed and they were being altered in such a way as to spoil their traditional appearance. Therefore an Article 4 Direction was placed on 14 of the remaining unaltered dwellings so that any small alterations would need planning permission. A copy of the Article 4 Direction and the schedule of works needing planning consent is included in Appendix 2.

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Plan 17

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22. Heritage Features

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Plan 18

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22.1 In 1986 the Borough Council produced a list of heritage features in Waverley.

The list covers natural landmarks, archaeological sites, historic structures and historic trees, roads and trackways and gardens. The purpose of this list was to identify features which were a significant and valuable part of the character and history of the Borough but which for the most part were not protected by legislation. The intention was that by recording them there would be more awareness of the value of preserving them. Since the time of publication there have been a number of instances where heritage features have been preserved, renovated or specially recorded in consequence of their identification.

22.2 Of the two conservation areas in Chiddingfold, heritage features can only be

found in the Chiddingfold conservation area, there are none present in Northbridge conservation area. There are sixteen in total, ranging from guide posts to a duck pond. The heritage features in Chiddingfold make a significant contribution to the character of the conservation area and should therefore be protected and enhanced where possible.

22.3 Current Heritage Features

The fourteen heritage features are: 22.4 Sussex Cottage, occupied by the butcher, who has a small shop on its north

side, has a Royal Exchange Insurance firemark mounted on the front. This design was used in 1720 according to the Shire Album of Firemarks.

22.5 The lych gate at the churchyard entrance was restored in 1980 in memory of

Mary Fanshawe, 1906-76, of Combe Court. In the centre of the gate is a wooden coffin rest.

22.6 A tablet fixed to the east wall of the church records that the body of Bishop

Samuel Wilberforce was temporarily rested here overnight on 21st July 1873 on the way to Lavington for burial. The tablet reads: " Near this spot at eventide on Monday, July 21st 1873 rested the body of Samuel Wilberforce, Bishop of Winchester, on its last journey home to Lavington. By a fall from his horse he was called suddenly from unwearied labour to eternal rest". (He was killed at Abinger Roughs, Shere, where a memorial stone marks the spot.)

22.7 In the south west corner of St Mary's Church is a memorial lancet window to

the Chiddingfold glass workers of the 13th-17th C assembled from 427 fragments of glass found at various glass furnace sites, installed by Rev T S Cooper in 1916. The plaque below it reads: "This window filled in with ancient glass found near the sites of local glass furnaces is dedicated to the memory of Chiddingfold glass makers and others connected locally with the industry for a period of at least 400 years, including Laurence the glassmaker, William le Franceis and William le Verir in the 13th C; John Allemayn, William Hulmere, John Shurtere and John his son, Richard and Peter Shurtere in the

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14th C; Peter Frenssheman, Richard Sherter, Henry Ropley and the Peytowes of Picards atte Bridge, and of Pound at Combe in the 15th and 16th Cs; and William Peyto, glassmaker who was buried at Chiddingfold on 29th Jan 1614/15".

22.8 An imposing war memorial stands in the churchyard. It was built in 1920 to

commemorate the dead of World War I, and World War II inscriptions were added on.

22.9 A small cottage at right angles to the house Waterfield, opposite the school,

Petworth Road, was formerly a smithy where Arthur Stedman, the blacksmith, died in 1766. There is an interesting epitaph to him on his headstone hear the lych gate at Chiddingfold Church, beginning "My sledge and hammer lie declined..." The epitaph was often quoted for blacksmiths and can be found in other parts of the country - but this is an early example. It needs re-cutting, as it is now unreadable.

22.10 The old village duck pond and animal watering pond is an attractive feature

of the village green, between the main road and Coxcombe Lane. It is in good condition with water lilies and Canadian pondweed grows under the surface.

22.11 Wooden guide post, with four arms, black lettering on white:

(I) Northchapel, Petworth (ii) Witley, Milford (iii) Dunsfold, Cranleigh (iv) Grayswood, Haslemere

22.12 The tiny lean-to extension on the south side of the Smithy on the village green

was a lock up or cage according to Rev T S Cooper's History of Chiddingfold (held in Haslemere Museum). There is a record of a 10-inch lock being made for the cage in 1826. It is now entered from inside the smithy and used as a store and privy, but the external window shows signs of having been the original external door as the brick below the window looks like infilling.

22.13 An old thorn tree stands on the grass verge south of the road flanking the

south side of Chiddingfold village green. Its branches are propped up with crutches. Thorn Cottage stands to its east and the buildings immediately opposite the thorn tree were formerly the 16th C inn, known as The Thorne Inn in the 17th C and The Bush Inn in the 18th C. It ceased to be an inn in the 19th C. A thorn has thus grown here for several hundred years and one was referred to as a landmark even in the 15th C.

22.14 The Manor House, on the south east side of Chiddingfold Green, has five

bricks at the north west corner, four on the side wall and one facing the front, inscribed with names and dates. They accurately date the house and preserve the names of contemporary gentry, as follows: Dr J Coates Aug:3:1762 Mr Diddlesfold 1762

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Mr Chalcroft Aug:1:1762 The Rev M Hall Aug:2:1762 Capt R T Clement Aug:3:1762 According to Rev T S Cooper's unpublished History of Chiddingfold (held by Haslemere Museum) these men paid the mason a gratuity to have their names on bricks.

22.15 A rectangular section milestone with pyramid top, identical to others on the

Chiddingfold-Petworth Road (see Historic Structures Nos. 88. 90 and 109). It is very worn compared to the others, unfortunately. The incised lettering, painted black, reads: Hyde Park Corner 38 miles Petworth 9 miles Godalming 6 miles Chiddingfold

22.16 A pound in good condition built to the west side of Pound Cottage. It has high

walls of large sandstone blocks, with a brick course between the top of the wall and a sandstone coping. At the north west corner are gate piers, partly of brick, presumably the original entrance. Another opening in the south west corner leads to a shed so was probably cut out of the wall for this purpose. There is no plaque to explain that this was a pound.

22.17 An iron guide post, recently renovated, stands at the extreme north corner of

the village green. It is painted black with white bands and has a notched top carrying three arms. (I) Haslemere, Northchapel, Petworth (ii) Dunsfold, Plaistow, Cranleigh (iii) Witley, Godalming, Guildford No distances are shown

22.18 Heritage features lost and in need of replacement 22.19 Wooden guide post, with two arms, black lettering. A third arm is missing and

the whole post is dilapidated, needing renovation. (I) Plaistow, Fisher Lane, Dunsfold, Cranleigh (ii) Pockford, Vann Lane

The missing third arm would have been marked Wormley or Witley.

22.20 Wooden guide post with two arms with black lettering on white:

(I) Woodside Road (ii) Chiddingfold Village There is a slot for a missing third arm.

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22.21 Suggested Heritage Features

Throughout the appraisal process, it has become apparent that there are many more features of both conservation areas that would make a significant contribution to the overall character, and warrant protection by being given heritage feature status. Suggested heritage features are listed within each of the individual character area appraisals.

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23. Enhancements 23.1 The enhancement proposals are described in detail in the Area Character

Studies but a summary of the schemes is included at the end of this Chapter. The proposals have been drawn up by the Appraisal Group. This chapter looks at the categories of schemes and the priorities and timescales: short, medium and long term.

23.2 Broad categories of schemes

(There are some small schemes that do not fall readily into the broad categories but these will not be excluded from the programme)

23.3 Traffic schemes

The traffic enhancement proposals for improvement to junctions and pinch points are included in the Traffic Chapter and as they are detailed with drawings they are not repeated here.

23.4 Hedges and views

There are some hedges and hedgerows in the conservation areas that have become very tall and overgrown. Before they grew so high, there had been views of the countryside beyond, and the objective would be to restore those views. In some instances, cutting back the hedges would also improve sight lines.

23.5 Verges

The wide verges are a very important feature in the conservation area. Some of the verges have become overgrown and the associated drainage ditches need clearance.

23.6 Trees

There are a few examples of trees that should be felled because they are dead or dying and some that need surgery to restore a view. Replacement of boundary oaks in the Northbridge conservation area is proposed.

23.7 A five level classification system for rating the importance of individual trees in

the conservation areas has been devised, so that the Borough Council and the Parish Council can cooperate to encourage owners to actively manage their trees and hedges. The classification is included in Appendix 3.

23.8 Fencing and posts

A significant scheme would be the repair and replacement of the fencing around the Cricket Green. This would enhance the open space considerably.

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23.9 There are a number of locations where there are black and white highway posts, which are regarded as being intrusive. It is proposed that these be replaced with wooden posts.

23.10 Footways and footpaths

The footway in front of the shops needs improvement, by retaining the old surfaces and using appropriate materials. The cobbled area in front of the butcher’s shop needs renovation.

23.11 The public footpaths are the responsibility of Surrey County Council. It is

proposed that the path off Coxcombe Lane leading to St Mary’s School should become a bridleway, so that the children could cycle to school.

23.12 Undergrounding of wires

Under grounding of wires is a very expensive operation. However, the statutory undertakers do very occasionally decide to carry it out for reasons other that amenity. Therefore it is beneficial to identify the locations where under grounding is sought.

23.13 Parking

The parking on common land in Northbridge needs to be regularised, and land for a proper car park for the shops on the Green needs to be sought. Encroachment on the Green in several locations needs to be regularised.

23.14 Lighting and advertising

The lighting on the Crown Inn should be reconsidered, and the advertising on the Forrest Stores could be reassessed.

23.15 Timescale CATEGORY OF SCHEME

SHORT TERM MEDIUM TERM LONG TERM

Traffic schemes X Hedges and views

X

Verges X Trees X Fencing and posts

X

Footways and footpaths

X

Undergrounding of wires

X

parking X Short term: 1-2 years

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Medium term 2-5 years Long term 5-10 years. 23.16 Summary list of proposed enhancement

(Schemes arising from the character area studies) 1. Northbridge and Lincolns Hill

• Reduce the height of hedges on the northwest side of Lincolns Hill to open up the views.

• Underground the overhead cabling. • Relocate black and white posts with wooden posts. • Fence the Skinners yard site. • Put down meshing on the two areas of common land next to the parking

areas. • Register the Common Land by the telephone box and make it into a proper

residents parking area. • Replace the boundary oaks.

2. The Cricket Green & Surroundings

• New fencing around the Cricket Green and a gate of the north side • Reveal old estate fencing in front of properties on the north side of the cricket

green. • The drainage ditch along the west side of the cricket green needs to be

maintained. 3. Petworth Road

• Significantly cut back the hedges and remove ivy and brambles from the trees.

• Underground the electricity and telephone cables. 4. The Green

• Advertising on Forrest Stores. • Lighting on the Crown Inn • The ironstone footpath in front of Brockhurst needs relaying. • The path in front of shops needs relaying. • Parts of the turf on the Green need laying. • Create a proper car park for the village to reduce the parking round the

Green. • Remedial work to a walnut tree outside Hadmans. • Fell dying trees on the north west corner of the Green. • Cut down excessive scrub on the bend at the north west side of the Green. • A number of trees around the Green need attention, including a walnut and a

horse chestnut both infested with ivy. • Cutting back trees and other shrubs around the village pond to restore the

view of the church.

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• Pedestrian Crossing. • Replacement of finger post signs. • Re-instatement of Forrest Stores sign and replacement of Spar signs with

ones more in keeping with the village. • Replace large plastic Bins with ones more in keeping with the setting;

alternatively fit a wooden frontispiece to the existing bins. • Return the windows at Spar to their original state.

5. Pockford Road

• Clear the open verge at the top of the lane. • Regularise the parking arrangements opposite Meadow view and Woodside

to avoid a precedent. • Encroachment on the Green by a turning area alongside the driveway to Rose

Cottage should be regularised. • Storm water drainage in the lane should be improved. • Put cabling underground

6. Pickhurst Road

• Maintenance of the verges, ditches, and drainage system. • The hedge on the south side should be reduced to restore the view of

Blackdown. • A management plan is needed for the mature boundary oaks. • Implement traffic pinch point • Put cabling underground

7. Coxcombe Lane

• Clearance of the field, pond and drainage ditch. • Additional bench under oak tree at the top of the footpath. • The wide grass verge at the north end of the Lane is common land and needs

maintenance. • An area of hard standing to the north of the footpath into School Lane should

be broken up to protect the open space. • The ugly concrete posts on the footpath should be replaced with a more rural

design. • The footpath should be upgraded to a bridleway to allow children to cycle to

St Mary’s School. • The area to the south of the lane to the west and the area around the small

drainage pond need clearing. • Boundary oaks and ivy need attention. • Put cabling underground.

8. Mill Lane

• The removal of leaning trees, dead wood and ivy.

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• Provision of a parking bay outside Marlow Cottage to reduce the risk of vehicle collision and pedestrian injury on the blind corner.

• Cutting back of the privet hedge outside the Institute to improve the sight line. • Put cabling underground

9. Southbridge

• The green space surrounding the Pump House could be put to better use and made more appealing.

• Create some means of slowing traffic coming down the hill into the village. • Provide a pavement from Wintersfield/Fairfield to the bridge. • Clean up the area around the pump house. • Rebuild Swan Meadow Bargate Stone wall per old photographs around what

is now the car park. • Put cables underground.

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24. Funding 24.1 Chiddingfold Parish Council has raised a precept that will result in funding

being allocated to the enhancement projects arising from the Appraisal. The Parish Council has had an ongoing programme of enhancements over the years, and the appraisal projects will be a continuation of this commitment to improving the environment of the village.

24.2 The Borough Council has allocated £15,000 for 2007/2008 for enhancement

projects in the conservation area. The Waverley Conservation Enhancement budget has been in existence for over 25 years and has been used to carry out schemes in conservation areas all over the Borough. The funding has been used in the past to carry out a number of schemes in the Chiddingfold conservation area, including the York stone path on the south side of the Green, the path adjacent to the Crown Inn, undergrounding of wires across the Green and repairs to the church clock.

24.3 Traffic problems in the historic part of the village have been an issue in the

appraisal and they have been recognised by the County Council. An allocation has been made for 2007/2008 to improve the junctions round the Green (See the Traffic Chapter).

24.4 As well as the funding from local government bodies, there is scope for the

landowners in the conservation area to contribute towards the enhancement of the historic area, through the improvement of their property. One of the most effective ways they can help is through the management of trees and hedges on road frontages. This aspect is developed in the Trees and Hedges Chapter.

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25. The Way Forward 25.1 The Chiddingfold Appraisal does not cover all aspects of planning, only those

that relate to conservation areas. However, it does set out aspirations for the future, and, in combination, these intentions show the way forward for the historic areas.

25.2 The condition of the conservation areas

Overall, the conservation areas are in good heart. The spaces are well cared for and although the hedgerows need some attention and certain trees need surgery, the village has a very attractive appearance and is in good condition. Nonetheless there is scope for enhancement as the area character studies show.

25.3 Highway issues

Regarding the highway issues, it is not for the appraisal to resolve the wider problems of the A283, but the Traffic Chapter does look at the possibilities of improving the junctions around the Green, and improving Pickhurst Road. These proposals would enhance the character of the conservation area because they would safeguard and enhance verges as well as slowing down traffic movements.

25.4 The enhancement programme

The enhancement programme is one of the key outcomes of the appraisal. The Enhancement Chapter is set out as a comprehensive list of projects to be carried out by different agencies in the short, medium and long term. The way forward is for all the possible improvements for the village to be listed and then they can be carried out as the opportunities arise and the funding is forthcoming. The financial situation is set out in the Funding Chapter.

25.5 Control of development

Thinking ahead about the control of development, the appraisal will provide a clear statement on the character of the conservation areas, and this will be used to make decisions on planning applications. It will inform members of the Borough Council, the Parish Council and the community about the qualities of the conservation areas, what is special about Chiddingfold, and what aspects of its character must be retained.

25.6 Collaboration

The production of the appraisal has been a collaborative process and the way forward is for this collaboration between the local authorities, the organisations and the community to continue, for the benefit of the Chiddingfold conservation areas.

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