mole valley rural community strategy 2017- 2027 · associates who have been fundamental in guiding...

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Mole Valley Rural Community Strategy 2017- 2027

Councillor Corinna Osborne-Patterson

Capel, Leigh and Newdigate Executive Member for Communities,

Services and Housing

FOREWORDThe countryside makes up over 90% of the District’s 258km2 area, with over 26% of Mole Valley residents living in areas classified as rural. As a District Councillor for Capel, Leigh and Newdigate, championing rural issues has always been at the core of my work. When I joined the Council’s Executive, it gave me an opportunity to raise the profile of our rural areas.

From a business perspective there are nearly 9,000 businesses based in rural Surrey, with their number growing by 12% since 2010. The Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership has recently estimated that the rural economy accounts for 27% of the region’s Gross Value Added (GVA) and has 22% of the region’s businesses based within it. These statistics hide a number of issues: lack of affordable rural housing, loss of rural services both public and private, such as bus services, access to health and education and the closure of village pubs and shops. The lack of investment in rural infrastructure such as superfast broadband is an increasingly important issue, as is our ageing population whose rural location can lead to isolation and health issues.

Having a rural community strategy will not be a ‘silver bullet’ to solve all these issues, many of which are not the direct responsibility of the District Council. However, as a District Council we have influence with our partners such as the Parish Councils, County Council, the Health and Education authorities and Emergency Services, where we can, as elected Members, make a compelling case for our rural communities. It is essential that the rural voice is heard and for rural needs to be reflected in all future policy, delivery and funding decisions.

In order to deliver our vision for rural Mole Valley, collaboration and partnership working with stakeholders, local partnerships and rural communities will be essential. We need to build on opportunities and address the challenges. Only by working together can we ensure wellbeing, economic prosperity, a healthy environment and vibrant rural communities.

This Mole Valley Rural Community Strategy is the first step in recognising the issues and challenges facing those who live, work and visit our rural areas, identifying possible solutions and prioritising them for future action.

Mole Valley is criss-crossed with footpaths including the Greensand Way and the the North Downs Trail

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I should like to thank Cllr Sarah Seed for helping and assisting me to drive the development of this Mole Valley Rural Community Strategy, together with Matthews Associates who have been fundamental in guiding the process. I should also like to thank all the rural partners and stakeholders who took part in the consultation process and helped to shape the strategic priorities and actions and for the MVDC officers for their support and commitment in this important area of work.

July 2017

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

ASHTEAD

FETCHAM

BOOKHAM

MICKLEHAM

HEADLEY

LEATHERHEAD

DORKING

WESTHUMBLE

WESTCOTT

WOTTON

ABINGERCOMMON

COLDHARBOUR

FOREST GREEN

OCKLEY

WALLISWOOD

OKEWOOD HILL

CAPEL

NEWDIGATE CHARLWOODHOOKWOOD

LEIGHNORTHHOLMWOOD

MIDHOLMWOOD

SOUTHHOLMWOOD

BEAREGREEN

BOX HILL

BUCKLAND

BETCHWORTH

BROCKHAM

STROODGREEN

ABINGERHAMMER

MOLE VALLEY AREA 258Km2

10% AREA URBAN

26% RURAL POPULATION

COAST TO CAPITAL RURAL ECONOMY 27% OF REGION’S GVA

22% OF REGION’S BUSINESSES ARE BASED IN RURAL AREAS

Bee Orchid, one of the 50 or so species of orchid found in Britain, nearly half have been recorded in Mole Valley

Source: Coast to Capital LEP, Rural Statement 2016

Figure One: Schematic of the Mole Valley district with key facts

90% AREA RURAL

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CONTENTS

Foreword

1 Overview ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ p5

2 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. p8

3 Rural Mole Valley “SWOT Analysis” ...........................................................................................................................................p12

4 Issues and Challenges Facing Rural Mole Valley ....................................................................................................p14

5 Mole Valley Rural Community Strategic Vision and Aims .............................................................................p22

6 Strategic Priorities and Actions .....................................................................................................................................................p24

7 Annual Rural Community Summit ..............................................................................................................................................p32

A Appendix A – Profile of Rural Mole Valley .......................................................................................................................p34

Mole Valley is crossed by the North Downs Way and the Greensand Way

Please Note that the document contains abbreviations and a glossary explaining what these mean is available on page 31

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OVERVIEW 1

In developing the Mole Valley Rural Community Strategy for Mole Valley (‘the MVRCS’) Mole Valley District Council aims to unite organisations and individuals with rural interests around a common vision:

Foreword

1 Overview ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ p5

2 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. p8

3 Rural Mole Valley “SWOT Analysis” ...........................................................................................................................................p12

4 Issues and Challenges Facing Rural Mole Valley ....................................................................................................p14

5 Mole Valley Rural Community Strategic Vision and Aims .............................................................................p22

6 Strategic Priorities and Actions .....................................................................................................................................................p24

7 Annual Rural Community Summit ..............................................................................................................................................p32

A Appendix A – Profile of Rural Mole Valley .......................................................................................................................p34

The MVRCS recognises and takes account of the following:

• The statutory role of Mole Valley District Council (MVDC)

• Mole Valley District Council’s corporate priorities; namely environment, prosperity and community wellbeing

• The ongoing work being done to support residents and businesses in rural Mole Valley

• A need to ‘join-up-the-dots’ between the existing policies, strategies and activities in rural Mole Valley

• The need for ‘rural proofing’ – to ensure the rural voice is heard in all strategic decision making

• The importance of involving all rural stakeholders (both locally and regionally)

The MVRCS has been structured around the following strategic aims:

RURAL ECONOMYTo grow a prosperous, sustainable and viable rural economy, whether for land-based sectors, businesses that are located within rural Mole Valley or those that trade with rural Mole Valley, recognising the goods and services they provide to residents, visitors and other business and their place in the wider economic supply chain.

RURAL COMMUNITIES To maintain and strengthen thriving, inclusive, sustainable and resilient rural communities, especially in terms of access to local public and commercial services, local transport provision, affordable housing, wellbeing and community safety, broadband and mobile connectivity.

RURAL ENVIRONMENTTo safeguard, protect and enhance Mole Valley’s rural environment, yet have appropriate and robust policies in place to allow sustainable economic prosperity. To allow residents and businesses in rural areas to thrive and prosper and for visitors to enjoy the countryside and villages while recognising the importance of the area’s protected rural landscape.

The MVRCS contains a series of strategic priorities and actions to deliver the strategy’s vision and aims. An Annual Rural Community Summit (ARCS) will be held to review what has been done and plan for the following year.

Children at Polesden Lacey

“to support thriving, inclusive and sustainable rural areas which enhance the prospects for Mole Valley’s rural communities and businesses and preserve the value of the District’s natural assets for future generations”

WHAT DOES RURAL MOLE VALLEY1 LOOK LIKE?

1 Defined by the 2011 Rural Urban classification of output areas, except for the enterprise data and births and deaths data which are based on the MSOA classification

Source: Office for National Statistics

Figure Two:

In most years, more peopledie than are born.

In the 3 years, 2011-2013 this decreased the population by 26

All Mole Valley Rural Mole Valley

Households inrural Mole Valleyare more likelyto have 2 cars,and less likely

to have no cars

It is estimated that there were 22,000 people living in ruralMole Valley in 2011: 26% of the district's population

1200

Age Group

0-45-9

10-1415-1920-2425-2930-3435-3940-4445-4950-5455-5960-6465-6970-7475-7980-8485-89

90+

800

50%

Working age61%

Olderpeople21%

Children18%

50%

400 0 400 800 1200

582

BirthsDeaths

608

49% 12% 57% 7%

90%countryside

Mole ValleyLandscape

Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

36%

30% Woodland

9%Site

of Special Scientific Interest

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2 People aged 16-74 who were working or looking for work in the week before Census3 Includes passengers4 Includes Degree, Higher Degree, NVQ Level 4-5, HNC, HND and Professional Qualifications

Sources: Office for National Statistics and Department for Education

All Mole Valley All Mole Valley

Who is Economically

Active?

EmployedFull Time

54% 50%

19% 19%

20% 29%

3% 3%3% 3%

EmployedPart Time

Self Employed

Unemployed

Full Time Student

Who is Economically

Inactive?

Retired59% 57%

15% 16%

13% 14%7% 8%6% 5%

Looking afterHome or

Family

72% of theworking age population in rural Mole Valley isEconomically Active2

Managing Directors& Senior Officials

ElementaryOccupations

Students

Other

Long Term Sickor Disabled

Rural Mole Valley Rural Mole Valley

72%

17%

7%

28%16,000

Working AgeResidents

Rural Mole Valley residents are morethan twice as likely to be employed as a manager, director or senior official than in an elementary occupation

34%of adults holda qualificationat Level 4 or

above4

The number of active enterprises

grew by 10% between 2010 and 2015

+10%1,46529% of

Mole Valleybusinesses arein rural areas

How rural Mole Valley residents travel to work3work ator from home

64% 9% 4% 1% 1% 21%

There are 11 schoolsin rural Mole Valley

38% Independents

62% State-funded pri mary

There are 2,051 Pupils

in Mole Valleys rural schools

State-funded Primary: 7

= 11

Independent: 41 secondary1 preparatory1 preparatory/secondary1 special

4 infant3 all through primary

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INTRODUCTION2.1 Who is the Mole Valley Rural Community

Strategy aimed at? This strategy is aimed at anyone interested in the wellbeing of rural Mole Valley. This includes decision makers of national organisations from the public, private or voluntary sectors, policy makers within national and local government, businesses including farmers and landowners, community groups, wider stakeholders or individuals. The strategy is intended to be a flexible resource that enables people and groups to get involved.

2.2 What is the purpose of the Mole Valley Rural Community Strategy?The purpose is to highlight both the strength of our rural communities and the concerns raised by those living and working in those communities so as to help co-ordinate and focus, even more effectively, the energy

of the many agencies and organisations involved. The overall aim is to make strategic choices and identify priorities from an informed, sound and evolving evidence base to solve as many of the concerns as is practically possible and realistically achievable. This strategy (and current and subsequent actions plans) will assist in that process. Most of all, it is important to ensure that the rural community, economy and environment are at the top of the agenda of all of the key decision makers that affect our district from whatever organisation. Bringing people and resources together to solve problems and co-ordinate actions makes sense and this strategy is the start of an ongoing process. This strategy will ensure that the development of MVDC’s policies and programmes are “rural proofed”1.

The slopes of Box Hill © John Miller

1 Rural proofing is the process by which all major policies and strategies are assessed to determine whether they have a differential impact on rural areas and, where appropriate, adjustments are made to take account of particular rural circumstances. The Government has formally adopted a process of “rural proofing”. It has been recommended that Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) consider adopting similar ‘rural proofing’ core principles in all of its plan and policy making:

• Identifying the rural impacts of MVDC’s policy responsibilities • Gathering and utilising evidence on rural opportunities and need in MVDC’s policy-making • Engaging with rural communities, businesses and other interests in MVDC’s policy-making and • Ensuring that rural needs and interests were fully reflected in MVDC’s policies and programmes

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Urban Areas

Larger Rural Villages

Countryside beyond the Green Belt

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22.3 Why is the Mole Valley Rural Community

Strategy so important?Mole Valley is predominantly a rural district with countryside accounting for around 90% of its 258Km2.

The ongoing success and preservation of Mole Valley’s rural communities, economy and landscape is of paramount importance to the people and businesses that call it home, to the visitors that spend time enjoying the area, and to the various organisations, which seek to protect and enhance Mole Valley’s rural assets.

Mole Valley’s natural environment is an enormously important asset. The District boasts sites of national and international significance in terms of biodiversity, culture, heritage and landscape. 36% of the District lies within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Mole Valley’s natural assets are also held in high regard by leisure visitors (predominantly day visitors) who are attracted by the countryside and opportunities for leisure pursuits such as walking and cycling.

Economic activity in rural Mole Valley is diverse and dynamic, ranging from traditional rural industries and a growing visitor economy through to manufacturing, technology, the service sector, creative and knowledge based businesses. As in other rural areas in the UK, there is a growing level of homeworking and home based businesses, often involving higher skilled, higher wage roles.

Mole Valley’s rural towns and villages provide good housing options, access to quality state and private schooling options, excellent quality of life, and good access to the wider South East and internationally (Gatwick and Heathrow airports being within easy reach). For this reason, rural Mole Valley is attractive to people moving into the area from neighbouring towns and from London.

Like many rural areas, Mole Valley is experiencing significant challenges associated with population growth, an ageing population, the need for more (and

ASHTEAD

FETCHAM

BOOKHAM

MICKLEHAM

HEADLEY

LEATHERHEAD

DORKING

WESTHUMBLE

WESTCOTT

WOTTON

ABINGERCOMMON

COLDHARBOUR

FOREST GREEN

OCKLEY

WALLISWOOD

OKEWOOD HILL

CAPEL

NEWDIGATE CHARLWOODHOOKWOOD

LEIGHNORTHHOLMWOOD

MIDHOLMWOOD

SOUTHHOLMWOOD

BEAREGREEN

BOX HILL

BUCKLAND

BETCHWORTH

BROCKHAM

STROODGREEN

ABINGERHAMMER

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)

Green Belt

Figure Three: Schematic showing Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Green Belt in the Mole Valley district

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affordable) housing, pressures on transport and other key infrastructure. Furthermore, a changing economic environment, changes to the rural way of life and traditional industries, and pressures on funding to support public and community facilities and services all serve to create both challenges and opportunities. There is a difficult balance to be struck between supporting rural growth and cherishing and conserving the key assets of the natural environment and heritage of Mole Valley. There is also a fundamental need to ensure that, as far as possible, everyone benefits from the success of Mole Valley’s rural areas.

More details about the Mole Valley rural area is contained in Appendix A (starting on page 34).

2.4 Mole Valley’s rural policy contextMole Valley’s Rural Community Strategy (MVRCS)cannot be taken in isolation. The MVRCS has been developed with reference to the wider context of local, regional and national policy and delivery frameworks. Specific reference has been made to priorities identified within the Mole Valley Corporate Strategy 2015-19 and to existing planning policies in The Core Strategy: 2009 and the Saved Policies Mole Valley Local Plan 2000. During the period 2016-2018, Mole Valley District Council is preparing a new Local Plan (Future Mole Valley) which will establish the spatial strategy for Mole Valley to show where new development should be located and how much should be provided. It will set out proposals for development which balances residents’ needs with the protection of the Green Belt. The new Local Plan will be informed by, and contribute towards the delivery of the priorities of the Council’s Corporate Strategy which were informed by the wishes of Mole Valley’s residents and communities. These specifically include working with rural communities and businesses to help them address their challenges and thrive. The MVRCS is part of that process. Where the MVRCS identifies issues relating to the way land is used and developed (for example for housing or by rural

businesses), these will inform and shape the policies of the new Local Plan and help to ensure that it responds to the needs of Mole Valley’s rural communities.

For the purpose of establishing the wider context for the MVRCS, a number of county, regional and national policies and strategies have also been examined. These include:• A Rural Statement for Surrey: Collaboration for

rural communities, economy and environment (The Surrey Countryside and Rural Enterprise Forum (SCREF), 2016)

• Coast to Capital Rural Statement (The Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), 2016)

• Naturally Richer: A natural capital investment for Surrey (Surrey Nature Partnership, 2015)

• Towards a one nation economy: A 10-point plan for boosting productivity in rural areas (DEFRA, 2015)

• The Rural Challenge (Rural Coalition, 2015)• Reimagining the rural: What’s missing in UK rural

policy? (Centre for Rural Economy, 2014)

2.5 What does the Mole Valley Rural Community Strategy consist of?The MVRCS consists of a suite of three documents: • The main strategy document, which sets out the

vision, priorities and issues to be addressed and provides the overall strategic framework

• The Action Plan(s)2 • A one page summary document showing how the

MVRCS fits into the Council’s overall corporate priorities. This approach has been taken so that the documents are easy to digest and readers can choose to read as little or as much as they like; the most critical documents being the main strategy document and action plans

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36% of the District lies within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

2 A new Action Plan will be produced each year for the term of the strategy, starting in 2017/18

White D

owns

2

“ Most of all, it is important to ensure that the rural community, economy and environment are at the top of the agenda of all of the key decision makers that affect our district from whatever organisation.”

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RURAL MOLE VALLEY “SWOT ANALYSIS”

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Rural Strengths Rural Weaknesses

• Comparatively prosperous rural community

• High quality natural (yet managed) rural environment

• Protected landscape designations within the District (AONB, AGLV, Green Belt)

• High quality rural settlements

• High demand for rural housing and rural living

• Close to key urban centres (Guildford, Horsham, Crawley)

• Good access to the strategic road network, rail services and airports

• Adjacent to Greater London conurbation

• Overall good access to commercial services (shops, pubs, petrol stations)

• Overall good access to public services (schools, doctors, council services)

• Limited supply of affordable housing

• Landscape designations restrict housing and commercial development

• Poor rural availability of superfast broadband (>30Mbps)

• Poor mobile phone coverage for 2G voice and 3G and 4G data

• Lack of sufficient maintenance budget for rural road network

• Resilience of rural infrastructure to adverse weather conditions

• Long-term viability of rural commercial services (pubs, shops, garages)

• Pressure on public service budgets delivering services to rural areas

• Reduction in public transport services to rural areas

• Additional resources needed for emergency services to service rural areas

Rural Opportunities Rural Threats

• Review of rural housing provision within new Local Plan process

• Review of alternative housing options such as community land trusts

• Affordable rural housing provision for local people in perpetuity

• Farm diversification schemes support rural enterprise and employment

• Maximum take-up of EU rural grant schemes before UK leaves EU

• Rural public buildings maximise their potential as community hubs

• Rural commercial services diversify to maximise their long-term viability

• Surrey’s wooded county status affords wood-based commercial opportunities

• Controlled and sustainable use of rural area for leisure and tourism

• Increase in home-based working addresses daytime rural depopulation

• Improved digital connectivity affords huge benefits to rural communities

• Depopulation by younger people unable to afford to live in rural areas

• Inability for older people to “downsize” within their own community

• Loss of daytime social cohesion through absent commuter residents

• House price inflation through lack of supply and continuing high demand

• Rural isolation of older people without their own transport

• Pressure to convert viable commercial premises for residential use

• Uncertainty over loss of EU farming subsidy

• Inability of land based businesses to remain viable

• Local and national public services are not sufficiently ‘rural proofed’

• Erosion of rural area through dilution of rural designation protection

• Expansion of Gatwick Airport and flight paths over rural area

3The evidence gathering and consultation process identified the following strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT).

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“ Depopulation by younger people unable to afford to live in rural areas is a possible threat for the future”

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4 ISSUES AND CHALLENGES FACING RURAL MOLE VALLEYRural Mole Valley is a highly desirable district in which people want to live, work, do business and spend their leisure time. While this presents numerous opportunities, it also presents significant challenges for its economy, people and environment. The following tables summarise the key issues identified through desk-based research and the most significant challenges as identified through the MVRCS consultation process.

The challenges have been organised around the three strategic aims: Rural Economy, Rural Communities and the Rural Environment as well as three cross-cutting challenges: Rural Connectivity, Rural Transport and Rural Housing:

The Running Horses, Mickleham © SCC

Cross-cutting issues and challenges

Rural Connectivity

Rural Transport

Rural Housing

Rural Economy

Rural Communities

Rural Environment

Strategic issues and challenges

Issues Identified Through Desk Research Challenges Identified Through Consultation

Skills and labour supply

• Access to skilled labour is often challenging (due to transport issues, housing supply and costs, rural-urban “wage gap”)

• Reduction in working age population (due to ageing population)

• Rural industry skills may not be applicable and transferable to other business sectors

Skills and labour supply

• Skills shortages are an identified issue, although more work is required to understand the nature of the skills shortages

• Limited access to training support and no grant funding to help cover costs of mandatory training which can put a big strain upon smaller businesses

• Business awareness of suitable skills initiatives (such as apprenticeships) is often low

• Competition from higher-paid jobs in nearby urban areas

4.1 Strategic issues and challenges: Rural Economy

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4Issues Identified Through Desk Research Challenges Identified Through Consultation

Business premises and sites for business

• Lack of suitable ‘grow-on’ space

• Restrictions on business use and business expansion (real and perceived)

Business premises and sites for business

• There is a perception that MVDC and many residents are ‘anti-business’ therefore restricting businesses from growing

• Residents have political representation, whereas businesses do not

• Difficulty in identifying and earmarking land or buildings for business and employment uses (as opposed to housing)

• Permitted Development Rights (PDR) can erode stock of business space

• Possibility of conflicts between landowners and tenants

• Most businesses are accessed by car, increasing the pressure on roads

• Rural business crime, isolated locations, sometimes slow police response


Sector-based and market-based issues

• Decline in traditional rural industries and sectors

• Potential impact of Brexit on farm and rural subsidies

• Visitor economy identity not as strong as it might be

• Implications for rural industries of changes to the wider UK economy and markets (restrictions in terms of access to advice and finance as well as planning restrictions)

• Dorking’s perceived lack of retail offer and traffic congestion issues result in rural areas using centres outside the district as perceived to have a better offer and easier access

Sector-based and market-based challenges

• Loss of traditional rural skills

• Visitor economy offer underdeveloped – a ‘hidden gem’ (lack of marketing, lack of tourism strategy for Mole Valley)

• Resistance to growth in the visitor economy (e.g. resident concerns over Mole Valley as a cycling destination – road safety, parking, litter, road closures, congestion, lack of direct value added feeding back into the local economy)

• Lack of overnight visitor (and business) tourism options (particularly affordable options e.g. campsites and mid-range accommodation)

• Business initiatives and programmes exist but applications process for support and funding often quite onerous for many businesses (and little help available)

• Landowners are important custodians of the landscape. Pressures on land-based businesses in particular (e.g. loss of subsidies post 2020) will undoubtedly create pressure to diversify. The key is driving forward the right kind of diversification to preserve landscape value

• Dorking needs to re-establish itself as the district’s primary service town of choice for rural residents and businesses

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4 ISSUES AND CHALLENGES FACING RURAL MOLE VALLEY CONTINUED


Demographics

• Ageing population

• Loss of young people driven out due to high cost and lack of suitable opportunities and provision of affordable housing

Demographics

• Hidden deprivation and isolation

• Increasing pressure on services for older people

• Loss of community cohesion

• Resistance to change


Community assets and cohesion

• Potential for isolation (i.e. through distance from hub towns, emergency services, lack of transport options, the loss of local community facilities and lack of access to skills to use new technology)

• Some rural community assets are under threat through lack of funding and lack of use (e.g. village shops, libraries and halls, community centres, pubs and post offices)

• Village schools are important and of great value to the fabric of rural communities

• Rural communities and businesses may feel vulnerable to crime, particularly in light of funding cuts

• Rural public services should be maintained, including health centres

Community assets and cohesion

• Tension between local authority requirement to dispose of assets versus importance of assets to the local community

• Reduction in Neighbourhood Teams (policing) due to funding cuts has left some communities feeling vulnerable and unsure of where to find help (rural policing requires specialist skill sets)

• The ‘Country Watch’ initiative can be very slow and the 101 call centre not as responsive at it might be

• Evidence that changes to the school funding formula means that village schools in rural Mole Valley might lose out (also face issues around recruitment of teaching staff)

• Loss of village pubs and shops to residential use (no incentive for owners to market them as ongoing business concerns)

• Help develop enhanced and additional community cohesion in rural Mole Valley

• Encourage more volunteering from groups not currently involved

4.2 Strategic issues and challenges: Rural Communities

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4


Competition for use

• Pressure on land use (pollution, congestion, impact on the natural environment)

• Balancing economic growth with impact on ecology and biodiversity (e.g. airport expansion, population growth/ housing need, transport infrastructure)

• Exploitation of natural assets – oil and gas extraction

Competition for use

• Challenges faced by rural communities in managing day visitors

• Future pressures need to be considered (e.g. Peak Oil) and potential impact on communities and the environment. Concerns over ‘fracking’

• Lack of co-ordinated approach to green energy solutions

• Issues around fly-tipping and illegal rubbish disposal

• Sustainable development versus rural protection argument

• Recognition of ‘Natural Capital’ as a proven concept


Climate change and alternative energy

• Flooding

• Water scarcity

• Impact on rural industries and sectors (e.g. farming, woodland, visitor economy)

• Uncertainty – the need to plan and adapt to change

• Minimising Mole Valley’s ecological footprint

Climate change and alternative energy

• Resistance to solar farms or wind farms (impact on landscape)

• Concerns over Mole Valley’s oil and gas reserves being exploited

• Mitigating impacts of increased flooding and longer drought periods

• Oppose large-scale extraction of non-renewable fossil fuels such as oil and gas from rural Mole Valley

• Recognising Mole Valley’s place with Surrey’s status as the most wooded county in England

• Supporting sustainable appropriate scale alternative energy initiatives such as wood fuel, biomass, ground and water sourced heating, small scale solar

4.3 Strategic issues and challenges: Rural Environment

Recognising Mole Valley’s place with Surrey’s status as the most wooded country in England. 22.6% of the country is woodland, 7.1% of which is ancient woodland.

Source: A revision of the Ancient Woodland Inventory for Surrey – Report and Inventory Maps, Surrey County Council, June 2011

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4 ISSUES AND CHALLENGES FACING RURAL MOLE VALLEY CONTINUED


Digital Connectivity

• For rural businesses, the distance from local town ‘hubs’ (i.e. supply chains, business advice, networking opportunities)

• Unreliable/inadequate broadband speed under 30Mbps

• Some areas received under 2Mbps universal service obligation

• Unreliable/inadequate mobile coverage 2G voice, 3G/4G data

Digital Connectivity

• Mobile signals and broadband connectivity in parts of rural Mole Valley is very poor (e.g. Leith Hill, Mickleham, Westhumble, Newdigate, Ockley) and adversely impacts on businesses and residents in those areas

• Most solutions for rural areas tend to be complex and costly (i.e. fibre to cabinet, fibre to premises, additional mobile phone masts – planning issues). Broadband and mobile providers have little financial incentive in invest in infrastructure

• Rural landowners now get less money for hosting masts and are more reluctant to put them on their land. Broadband providers have little financial incentive to put broadband in rural areas and satellite technology can have latency and data cost issues

• Impact on rural infrastructure of poor quality installation and remedial works of broadband fibre installation e.g. drainage ditches and road surfaces

4.4 Cross-cutting issues and challenges

Farrier at work © Rod ShawCombine Harvester © Rod ShawThe Shop at Strood Green staff and volunteers © The Shop At Strood Green

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4


Transport Infrastructure

• High levels of car use• State of rural roads (congestion, state of repair)• Safety concerns on rural roads (e.g. speeding and competing uses

– e.g. cyclists, motorists, pedestrians, horse riding)• Fewer and less frequent public transport routes and increasing cost

of public transport (particular issues faced by rural residents without access to cars)

• Lack of parking in rural areas (for commuters and leisure visitors)• Skeletal cycle network• Challenges posed by proximity to Gatwick Airport

Transport Infrastructure

• Many rural residents do not use public transport where available which creates issues for long term sustainability

• Poor state of rural roads (potholes, overhanging vegetation, drainage)

• Poor state of rural footpaths and bridleways – important in rural areas both for access between rural villages and for the rural economy (e.g. leisure visitors)

• Rural rail services (increase stopping services to stations such as Westhumble)

• Disconnect between rail and bus services leading to increased car use by commuters

• Infrastructure problems (e.g. weak bridge in Westhumble – concerns over access for emergency vehicles)

• Particular parking problems in Beare Green and Ockley (commuter parking) and in cycling ‘hotspots’ (leisure visitors)

• Impact of passenger growth at Gatwick Airport (increased traffic and congestion)

• Investment in East-West North Downs Line to improve service frequency and reliability

• A24 to Horsham road capacity improvements

• Provision of commuter parking at key rural railway stations

• Availability, frequency and cost of public transport, specifically at times for key workers

• Maintaining access to Mole Valley’s rural businesses during adverse weather, specifically snow clearance or flooding

• Availability, frequency and cost of public transport both, bus and rail

• Social isolation of rural residents without access to private car

• Uncontrolled commuter parking at key rural stations

• Resilience of transport network in adverse weather conditions such as snow and flooding

“ Mole Valley is a highly desirable district in which people want to live, work, do business and spend their leisure time”

Cyclists at Denbies Wine Estate © Royston Williams

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Housing

• Limited supply and availability of affordable housing (impacts upon rural residents, particularly those on low incomes; also impacts upon businesses in rural areas that struggle to recruit or retain staff)

• Affordable housing not being safeguarded (i.e. affordable designation needs to be ‘affordable in perpetuity’)

• Implications for the social cohesion of rural Mole Valley (young people and dispersal of rural families)

• Planning restrictions on the building of new homes

Housing

• Many young people are unable to afford to live in rural Mole Valley

• Rural businesses facing difficulties in recruitment and retention of staff because of housing costs and availability

• Lack of farm worker dwellings being approved through the planning system – issues about where adult children can live near to the family business

• Blockages in the supply of housing (e.g. one-person households unable to down-size due to lack of suitable alternatives in same village/location)

• Growing families unable to find or afford properties to meet their needs

• Ensuring development, wherever possible, within rural Mole Valley is sustainable

• Development, wherever possible follows established SMART growth principles

• Local planning policies, recognise the natural assets, heritage and rural quality of life

• Recognise the ‘Natural Capital’ asset and benefits of Mole Valley’s rural countryside

ISSUES AND CHALLENGES FACING RURAL MOLE VALLEY CONTINUED

Ranmore C

omm

on © SquiggleKingfisher watercress beds, Abinger Hammer © Rod ShawSparking wine bottling at Denbies © Rod Shaw

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5

MOLE VALLEY RURAL COMMUNITY STRATEGIC VISION AND AIMS

This dovetails with MVDC’s overarching vision for the whole district –

“ Create a place where people want to live, work, do business and spend their leisure time.” 3

Taking this vision forward, the MVRCS has been structured around the following strategic aims:

1. To grow a prosperous, sustainable and viable rural economy

2. To maintain and strengthen thriving, inclusive, sustainable and resilient rural communities

3. To safeguard, protect and enhance the rural environment

3 Source: MVDC Corporate Strategy 2015

Following a series of consultations including a facilitated workshop with rural stakeholders and MVDC Executive members, the following vision was developed;

“ To support thriving, inclusive and sustainable rural areas which enhance the prospects for Mole Valley’s rural communities and businesses and preserve the value of the district’s natural assets for future generations.”

Panoramic view from Leith Hill © Denise Furlonger/Surrey Hills AONB

23

These headline aims have been expanded into the following to give a wider context:

RURAL ECONOMYTo grow a prosperous, sustainable and viable rural economy, whether for land-based sectors, businesses that are located within rural Mole Valley or those that trade with rural Mole Valley, whilst recognising the goods and services they provide to residents, visitors and other business and their place in the wider economic supply chain.

RURAL COMMUNITIES To maintain and strengthen thriving, inclusive and resilient rural communities, especially in terms of access to local public and commercial services, local transport provision, affordable housing, wellbeing and community safety, broadband and mobile connectivity.

RURAL ENVIRONMENT To safeguard, protect and enhance Mole Valley’s rural environment, yet have appropriate and robust policies in place to allow sustainable economic prosperity. To allow residents and businesses in rural areas to thrive and prosper and for visitors to enjoy the countryside and rural villages while recognising the importance of the area’s protected rural landscape.

CROSS-CUTTING A number of issues and challenges within the above are cross-cutting i.e. they impact on more than one area. For example digital connectivity impacts on businesses and the rural community alike, as does transport infrastructure and housing.

5

Debbie’s Homemade Preserves, Newdigate, © Andrew Shaylor/Foodfloat Paul Cleaver, Bee Keeper Abinger Hammer © Andrew Shaylor/Foodfloat Etherley Farm, Ockley © Andrew Shaylor/Foodfloat

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6

6. STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND ACTIONS 6.1 The research scoping and consultation process has identified a number of key priorities and suggested

actions across the three strategic priority issues:

Rural Economy Rural Communities Rural Environment

Field of rapeseed with Ranmore Common in the background © Rod Shaw

Priority Issues (not necessarily in priority order) Rural Economy Rural Community Rural Environment

1

2

3

4

5

6

Digital Connectivity: Broadband and Mobile (DC)

Rural Housing (RH)

Community Safety (CS)

Visitor Economy (VE)

Community Assets (CA)

Rural Based Businesses (RBB)

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

25

1 Digital Connectivity: Broadband and Mobile (DC)

Priority issues• Superfast Broadband 30Mbps is available for all of rural Mole Valley• Take-up of superfast broadband (when available) is promoted to all rural communities and businesses• Deliver digital awareness training for older, vulnerable, hard to reach groups and businesses• Push for district-wide coverage of mobile voice (2G) and data (3G and 4G)• Eliminate mobile operator ‘not-spots’ throughout district• Promote Broadband Delivey UK (BDUK) and Surrey County Council (SCC) schemes for helping rural premises achieving below 2Mbps performance• All rural business parks, estates and commercial premises to enjoy access to Superfast Broadband (30Mbps) and above• Specific business related issues with coverage of mobile voice (2G) and data (3G and 4G) are tackled• Ensure broadband installation contractors undertake infrastructure works to required MVDCs standards

Reference Key Actions Primary Responsibility/Responsibilities TimeframeDC1 Working with Surrey County Council (SCC), Mole Valley’s

Economic Development Team to identify which rural Mole Valley areas do not have superfast lobby direct with Superfast Surrey, plus work with Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) on possible initiatives for funding installation of superfast broadband

MVDC Economic Development Service to collect data and lobby SCC Superfast Surrey on local delivery and BT commercially. Working with LEP on initiatives to fund superfast broadband into specific rural business areas

2017/18

DC2 Promote BDUK schemes to help premises with <2Mbps to access satellite or wireless alternatives

MVDC Communications Team, MVDC Members, Parish Councils. Include in agenda for Annual Rural Community Summit

2017/18

DC3 MVDC Economic Development Service to feed back to existing rural forums specific mobile coverage issues in the district to allow them to lobby for better mobile coverage

SCREF, County lobbying, C2C Rural Action Group, Regional lobbying. Support National Farmers Union (NFU) and Countryside Landowners Association (CLA) digital initiatives

2017/18

DC4 Encourage business and resident feedback on ‘not spot’ issues in rural Mole Valley report the relevant operator to Ofcom

MVDC Communications Team encourage Mole Valley residents to sign-up to mobile coverage tracking apps that report coverage to Ofcom

Short-medium term

DC5 Encourage local reporting of poor quality infrastructure delivery to SCC and any other appropriate responsible body

MVDC Communications Team, MVDC Members, Parish Councils

Short-medium term

DC6 Once superfast broadband is available ensure maximum adoption and take-up by rural communities

SCC Superfast Surrey, BT Openreach, National ‘get online’ campaign, HMG Digital inclusion strategy, Doteveryone.org.uk

Medium-long term

DC7 Ensuring older, vulnerable groups and hard to reach people are not left behind avoiding the possibility of a ‘digital divide’

SCC Superfast Surrey, BT Openreach, National ‘get online’ campaign, HMG Digital inclusion strategy, Doteveryone.org.uk

Medium-long term

6.2 The issues and challenges that require immediate attention are included in the proposed Action Plan 2018/19. Other actions requiring attention will be reviewed annually through an Annual Rural Community Summit (ARCS) – see Section 7 6

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6

2 Rural Housing (RH)

Priority issues• Address lack of affordable rural housing, including for rural workers• Safeguard affordable rural housing, encourage more affordable housing in perpetuity• Address lack of ‘down-size’ housing in villages for ‘empty nesters’• Address reluctance of some communities to allow or support new housing• Identify best practice for tackling rural housing issues

Reference Key Actions Primary Responsibility/Responsibilities Timeframe

RH1 MVDC to meet with rural housing enablers such as AiRS, Surrey CA, HARAH, National CLT network to review best practice for rural housing

MVDC Economic Development Service, MVDC Planning Policy Team, MVDC Housing Officers

2017/18

RH2 Disseminate Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) White Paper and LEP policy and guidance on rural housing issues to key local influencers and representatives

MVDC Communications Team, MVDC Economic Development Service, MVDC Planning Policy Team

2017/18

RH3 New MVDC Local Plan “Future Mole Valley” to address need for affordable housing in rural areas, including suitable provision for rural workers

MVDC Local Plan development process 2017/18

RH4 MDVC Local Plan and Housing Policies reflect the need for residents to downsize

MVDC Local Plan and Housing Policy Short-medium term

RH5 MVDC housing policies to maximise safeguards to maintain affordable status for local people

MVDC Local Plan and Housing Policy Short-medium term

RH6 MVDC to promote the socio-economic benefits of controlled, sustainable housing growth

MVDC and through new Local Plan and Housing Policies Short-medium term

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND ACTIONS CONTINUED

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6

3 Community Safety (CS)

Priority issues• Ongoing support for rural crime initiatives such as ‘Country Watch’ and ‘Community Speed Watch’• To explore possibilities to provide sufficient police (and other emergency services) resources to effectively cover rural Mole Valley• To explore possibilities to provide and retain specialist rural officer resource by Surrey Police: rural knowledge to be disseminated to other district officers• Mole Valley Rural Crime Panel to be supported with secretariat capacity• Strengthen road safety measuring specifically to reduce rural speeding and maintain rural road network• Address the causes and effects of more complex rural isolation issues for older and vulnerable people• Ensure that rural business crime is recognised as an issue and take action to ensure that it is prioritised accordingly• Put in place effective procedures to combat and deal with rural fly tipping

Reference Key Actions Primary Responsibility/Responsibilities Timeframe

CS1 Rural business crime to be raised as an issue with the police and other relevant agencies

MVDC Community Safety and Wellbeing Team, Surrey Police and other emergency services

2017/18

CS2 Cross-agency action initiated to tackle rural fly-tipping through proactive enforcement and prosecution

Surrey Police, MVDC Crime Partnership, MV Environmental Services Team, SCC Highways

2017/18

CS3 Continue support for Mole Valley Rural Crime Panel, current and future rural community safety initiatives such as Country Watch and Rural Speed Watch

MVDC Community Safety and Wellbeing Team, Surrey Police and other emergency services

2017/18

CS4 Effective coverage of rural Mole Valley by emergency services, with specific reference to rural crime issues

MVDC Partnerships, Surrey Police and other emergency services

Short-medium term

CS5 Ensure that the Mole Valley rural road network is made safer through the provision of sufficient maintenance and effective enforcement of speed limits

Surrey Police, SCC Highways, Mole Valley Crime Partnership Short-medium term

CS6 Provide additional rural community safety provision for the elderly and vulnerable and for this to be recognised and appropriate action initiated by the relevant authorities

Mole Valley Community Safety, SCC, external agencies, NHS, Social Services

Short-medium term

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6

4 Visitor Economy (VE)

Priority issues• Increase the value (not necessarily volume) of the visitor economy within Mole Valley• Effectively manage the interrelationship between visitors to Mole Valley and the needs of the residents, specifically related to cycling and horse riding• Promote Mole Valley as a high quality, yet sustainable visitor destination• Work in partnership with key Mole Valley attractions, accommodation providers and support businesses relevant to the wider visitor economy• Ensure the new Local Plan recognises the need for, and the benefits of, sustainable rural tourism

Reference Key Actions Primary Responsibility/Responsibilities TimeframeVE1 MVDC to review the need for tourist information provision in the

districtMVDC Member Tourist Information Panel, MVDC Economic Development Service

2017/18

VE2 MVDC to work with local stakeholders and partners to maximise value, yet minimise harmful impact of cycling (both on and off road), horse riding and walking on residential amenity and environmental quality

MVDC Strategic Leadership Team and MVDC Economic Development Service

2017/18

VE3 MVDC to work with East Surrey colleagues to develop an East Surrey public and private sector ‘destination management partnership’ (DMP)

MVDC Strategic Leadership Team and MVDC Economic Development Service

2017/18

VE4 Continue to promote and develop Mole Valley tourism assets such as the Deepdene Trail and Hope Springs Eternal project

MVDC Economic Development Service, MVDC Communications Team, MVDC Community Safety and Wellbeing Team and MVDC Parks Team

2017/18

VE5 MVDC to include the value and economic potential of the rural visitor economy within the new Mole Valley Economic Prosperity Strategy

MVDC Economic Development Service and Visit Surrey, Destination Management Plan

2017/18

VE6 New Mole Valley Local Plan reflects the need and benefits for sustainable rural tourism

MVDC Economic Development Service and MVDC Planning Policy Teams consult with wider tourism sector over development of new Local Plan

2017/18

VE7 Use European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) funding to deliver the Wheels, Feet and Hooves initiative

MVDC and Tandridge District Council 2017/18


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6

5 Community Assets (CA)

Priority issues• Support the retention of key rural community assets such as rural pubs, village halls, rural post-offices, rural shops and filling stations• Support the retention of key rural leisure assets such as parks, play areas and allotments

Reference Key Actions Primary Responsibility/Responsibilities TimeframeCA1 Support local rural communities, identify and promote the

Register of Assets of Community ValueMVDC Economic Development Service; reference to external organisations such as, Plunkett, Pub is the Hub, Surrey Countryside and Rural Enterprise Forum (SCREF), SCA

2017/18

CA2 Mole Valley Revenues ensure maximum take-up and adoption of National Non-Domestic Rates (NNDR) rural reliefs through proactive promotion of scheme

MVDC Revenues Team and MVDC Economic Development Service

2017/18

CA3 New Mole Valley Local Plan development process to consider policy approach to protecting community assets

MVDC Economic Development Service and MVDC Planning Policy Teams consult with local stakeholders over development of the new Local Plan

2017/18

CA4 To support local private sector rural business ‘assets’ to remain viable and prosperous

MVDC Economic Development Service to help identify any support packages (grants, training, development) that might be available

Short-medium term

CA5 To encourage rural residents and rural business to support local community and community assets

MVDC Members, Parish Councils, rural community organisations and groups, asset owners and managers

Short-medium term

Holmwood Station © Simon MatthewsVillage Hall Beare Green © Simon MatthewsHearn Farm Supplies © Simon Matthews

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6

6. Rural Based Businesses (RBB)

Priority issues• Support and promote initiatives that help rural sector and rural based businesses remain viable, thrive and prosper• Ensure MVDC policies, plans and actions recognise and acknowledge the importance of the rural business community• Advocate the need for educational awareness in schools, and higher education (HE) for rural sector skills; links to rural colleges in Surrey and Sussex

Reference Key Actions Primary Responsibility/Responsibilities TimeframeRBB1 MVDC Economic Development Team to organise, with

partners, a ‘rural road show’ to assist rural business with grants, support information, rate relief information

MVDC Economic Development Service, MVDC Communications Team, MVDC Revenues Team, other identified partners

2017/18

RBB2 MVDC to help promote rural funding opportunities such as Rural Surrey LEADER, Coast to Capital (C2C) Growth Grants, EAFRD etc (see RBB1 above)

MVDC Economic Development Service and MVDC Communications Team with other partners such as NFU, CLA, SCREF, SCC, C2C

2017/18

RBB3 MVDC to support and promote initiatives such as C2C ‘growth navigators’ to help rural based businesses (see RBB1 above)

MVDC Economic Development Service and MVDC Communications Teams, C2C Growth Navigator Team

2017/18

RBB4 MVDC to keep engaged with rural focussed organisations such as, Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), Surrey Community Action (Surrey CA), Farming and Rural Issues Group for the South East (FRIGSE), SCREF

MVDC Economic Development Service, MVDC Strategic Leadership Team

2017/18

RBB5 MVDC to recognise the importance of rural businesses in preparing the new Local Plan

MVDC Planning Policy and MVDC Economic Development Services

2017/18

RBB6 Where possible through Mole Valleys role as an influencer, advocate the need for rural sector skills development

MVDC Economic Development Service and MVDC Members Short-medium term

RBB7 Support the promotion of Dorking as Mole Valley’s principal rural service town

Dorking BID, Dorking Chamber of Commerce supported by MVDC Economic Development Service

Short-medium term

RBB8 Ensure that tackling rural business crime is given sufficient resources and prioritisation by the police (linked to Community Safety)

Surrey Police and Police Commissioner Short-medium term

RBB9 Develop a database of businesses within rural Mole Valley MVDC Economic Development Service Short-medium term


“ To support thriving, inclusive and sustainable rural areas which enhance the prospects for Mole Valley’s rural communities and businesses and preserve the value of the district’s natural assets for future generations.”

GLOSSARY of abbreviations used in the Rural Community Strategy and Action Plan documents

AiRS – Action in Rural Sussex, the Sussex Rural Community CouncilAONB – Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty aims to conserve, enhance and protect the landscapeBID – Business Improvement District; a local specified business area funded by a business rate levyBDUK – Broadband Delivery UK; part of a government department responsible for public funded broadbandC2C – Coast to Capital; the Local Enterprise Partnership covering an area broadly from Croydon to BrightonCLA – Country Landowners and Business Association; a sector representative groupEAFRD – European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development; a rural EU fund administered by Coast to CapitalGreen Belt – The Metropolitan Green Belt policy aims to prevent urban sprawl through openness and permananceGVA – Gross Value Added; the value generated by any unit engaged in the production of goods and servicesHARAH – Hampshire Alliance for Rural Affordable Housing; a rural housing enablerPDR – Permitted Development Rights; enabling certain changes to be made to a building without planning permissionPlunkett – The Plunkett Foundation; a charitable social and rural pressure groupNFU – National Farmers Union; a sector representative organisationRSN – Rural Services Network; an umbrella organisation championing rural issuesSCREF – Surrey Countryside and Rural Enterprise Forum; Surrey’s rural partnership supported by Surrey County CouncilGrowth Principles – a planning concept directed at developing sustainable communitiesSurrey CA – Surrey Community Action; the Surrey Rural Community Council

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6

©N

ational Trust Images/A W

right

River Mole at Betchw

orth ©John M

iller

The preparation of the MVRCS has uncovered a broad range of issues and challenges. It will be necessary to make strategic choices and prioritse actions to address them. Decisions will also need to be made about the timetable for carrying out actions, how they should be resourced and who should take responsibility for them.Addressing the issues and challenges faced by the rural communities will require buy-in and participation from all relevant parties. MVDC cannot do everything by itself. It does have a leadership role to play, however, to help bring all of the key parties together and identify opportunities to make progress. This will require sometimes influencing or persuading the right people and organisations to become involved.It is therefore proposed that an Annual Rural Community Summit (ARCS) is convened. This will bring together key members of the rural community and crucial delivery agencies and organisations. It will enable the various parties to assess what has been achieved in the previous year and fine tune where necessary. It will help identify the priority actions for the subsequent year based upon the knowledge that has been gained and also consider emerging issues.

The ARCS will acknowledge the distinction between the issues and challenges raised from the communities and stakeholders (the demand-side) and the “solution providers” (the supply-side). These might include MVDC, Parish Councils, the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), businesses, landowners, infrastructure providers, transport operators, the Surrey Police, Fire and Rescue services and many others.

Each year of the MVRCS, an Action Plan will be produced, informed by the ARCS. The ARCS will recommend the actions for the following year. Typically, at least one of the projects or programme will be allocated against each of the strategic priorities (Rural Economy, Rural Communities and Rural Environment). By having both the demand and supply sides represented at the ARCS this will provide an opportunity to build consensus on what needs to be done, by whom and when, so that appropriate resources can be allocated by the appropriate supply side organisation. This way, it is intended that the ARCS becomes an annual institution and the rural issues and challenges are prioritised not only within MVDC’s policy formulation but also that of external partners to sustain the rural dialogue and keep the rural voice at the forefront of affairs and appropriate timely actions taken.

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7

ANNUAL RURAL COMMUNITY SUMMITCows grazing near Betchworth © John Miller

33

ANNUAL RURAL COMMUNITY SUMMIT

7

1.1. OverviewMole Valley lies at the heart of Surrey, mid-way between London and the Sussex coast. It is a predominantly rural district with countryside accounting for more than 90% of its 258Km2.

Under DEFRA’s 2011 Rural-Urban Classification of Local Authority Districts, Mole Valley is classified as ‘Urban with Significant Rural’. The hub towns of Dorking and Leatherhead serve as centres of business and service provision for the surrounding rural areas. Under DEFRA’s classification, Dorking is considered to be a rural service town and is therefore eligible for certain rural funding streams such as LEADER1 and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).

Dorking, although strategically placed at the centre of the District, is for many rural communities in direct competition with higher-order shopping areas just

A

APPENDIX A – PROFILE OF RURAL MOLE VALLEYBefore drafting the MVRCS, contextual desk-based research was undertaken in order to form a picture of rural Mole Valley’s economy, people and environment, with a view to highlighting known challenges and opportunities.

outside the District such as Guildford, Horsham, Crawley, Reigate and Redhill – which are, in many cases, more accessible than Dorking. Dorking has established a Business Improvement District (BID) to help develop, promote and market itself.

1.2 The rural Mole Valley economyMole Valley is an economically prosperous district benefiting from its location close to the nation’s economic growth ‘engine’ of London, proximity to two international airports (Gatwick and Heathrow), and access to the national motorway network via the M25 at Leatherhead.

There are around 5,350 enterprises (from Micro 0-9 employees, through to large, over 250 employees) in Mole Valley employing around 43,000 people (Source: NOMIS Local Area Profile, 2016). Analysis in the Coast to Capital Rural Statement (2016) shows that 29% of all Mole Valley

34

1 LEADER is an EU funded rural grant programme designed to support local businesses. It has been running across England for more than 10 years. (Liaison Entre Actions de Development de l’Economie Rurale)

Sunken lane near Leith Hill showing exposed greensand © John Miller/Surrey Hills AONB

ASHTEAD

M25

FETCHAM

BOOKHAM

MICKLEHAM

HEADLEY

LEATHERHEAD

DORKING

WESTHUMBLE

WESTCOTT

WOTTONABINGERHAMMER

ABINGERCOMMON

COLDHARBOUR

FOREST GREEN

OCKLEY

WALLISWOOD

OKEWOOD HILL

CAPEL

NEWDIGATE

CHARLWOOD

HOOKWOOD

LEIGHNORTHHOLMWOOD

MIDHOLMWOOD

SOUTHHOLMWOOD

BEAREGREEN

BOX HILL

BUCKLAND

BETCHWORTH

BROCKHAMSTROODGREENABINGER

HAMMER

BUCKLAND

CHARLWOOD

HOOKWOOD

BROCKHAM

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A

Towns

Villages

Larger Rural Villages

Smaller Rural Villages

Other Rural Communities

Appendix Table One: The Mole Valley Local Development Framework Settlement Hierarchy (2008) identifies the following classifications across the district’s settlements:

Classification Settlement NamePrincipal Towns Dorking (including North

Holmwood) and LeatherheadVillages Ashtead, Bookham and Fetcham

Larger Rural Villages Beare Green, Brockham, Capel, Charlwood, Hookwood and Westcott

Small Rural Villages Betchworth, Box Hill, Leigh, Mickleham, Newdigate, Ockley, South Holmwood, Strood Green, and Westhumble

Other Rural Communities (hamlets and ribbon developments)

Abinger Hammer, Abinger Common, Buckland, Coldharbour, Forest Green, Headley, Mid Holmwood, Oakwoodhill, Walliswood and Wotton.

Appendix Figure One: Schematic showing geographical location of key towns and villages

businesses are located in rural areas. Rural Mole Valley is home to a range of businesses from traditional land-based businesses through to tourism, manufacturing, service sector, creative and knowledge based businesses.

Land-based businesses, such as farming, remain an important part of the rural Mole Valley economy. According to ONS data (2015), there are 145 businesses which fall under the Lantra classification of land-based businesses2. Of these, 125 are micro businesses employing 0-9 people, the remainder are small businesses (10-49 employees). As in other parts of the country, the traditional land-based rural sectors in Mole Valley continue to face external economic, skills and funding pressures - challenges that include: the need for diversification; the implementation of new technology; dealing with regulation; mitigating and adapting to climate change, particularly flooding; and the need to increase profitability and productivity. These challenges, in turn, present threats to the livelihood and quality of life of the wider rural population as well as having important implications for the visual appearance and richness of the landscape and natural environment. In terms of rural growth sectors, the wood fuel sector in Mole Valley has been identified as offering potential. The Surrey Hills Management Plan (2014-2019) recognises a particular opportunity in the Surrey Hills AONB area to develop wood fuel projects.

The Coast to Capital Rural Statement (2016) states that rural Mole Valley is home to 115 tourism and recreation enterprises (with a further 235 such businesses located in urban Mole Valley). The District’s countryside, with its high quality landscape, proximity to London, Gatwick Airport and regionally significant visitor attractions, makes it a popular destination for visitors from nearby urban areas and beyond. Events such as the 2012 Olympic Cycle race have further raised the profile of Mole Valley, and the Surrey Hills AONB is now an

internationally recognised destination for on and off road cycling3. However, despite Mole Valley’s rural tourism assets, the sector remains under exploited with a recognised shortage in overnight accommodation and relatively low levels of promotion and ‘brand’ awareness.

Rural Mole Valley is also home to non land based businesses that contribute to the overall success of the economy. Micro enterprises (i.e. 0-9 employees) make up 90% of all businesses in Mole Valley and this is likely to be reflected in rural Mole Valley. Home based businesses are also an important feature of the rural economy. It is generally accepted that around 20% of businesses in the South East are home based (Source: Home Business Report, Enterprise Nation, October 2014) and that this figure is likely to be higher still in rural areas.

While businesses in rural areas have similar needs to those in urban areas, costs and challenges can be more onerous (e.g. restricted access to centralised services and supply chains, fewer public transport options, higher cost of housing, lack of suitable business space, poor quality broadband and inferior telecommunications services). As unemployment rates in Mole Valley are historically amongst the lowest regionally and nationally and house prices are high, rural businesses in the District may also find it hard to recruit employees, especially into lower paid jobs.

1.3 Mole Valley’s rural populationThe 2011 Census provides a total population figure for Mole Valley of 85,400 people residing in 35,800 households. Mole Valley is the third most rural local authority in Surrey after Tandridge and Waverley with 26% of its population living in areas classified as rural. Mole Valley has the highest percentage of residents living in isolated rural communities within Surrey, with 10% of its population living in rural hamlets and isolated dwellings.

A APPENDIX A – PROFILE OF RURAL MOLE VALLEY CONTINUED

36

2 Land Based Sector SIC Codes - 011 : Growing of non-perennial crops 012 : Growing of perennial crops 013 : Plant propagation 014 : Animal production 015 : Mixed farming 016 : Support activities to agriculture and post-harvest crop activities 017 : Hunting, trapping and related service activities 021 : Silviculture and other forestry activities 022 : Logging 023 : Gathering of wild growing non-wood products 024 : Support services to forestry 031 : Fishing 032 : Aquaculture 161 : Sawmilling and planning of wood 283 : Manufacture of agricultural and forestry machinery 462 : Wholesale of agricultural raw materials and live animals 750 : Veterinary activities

3 www.strava.com heatmapping

1.4 Age profileThe 2011 Census shows that 58% of the rural Mole Valley resident population is aged 18-64 with a further 21% aged 65 or more and, at the other end of the spectrum, 21% aged under 18. Comparing rural Mole Valley with the urban areas, it can be seen (see Appendix Table Two) that there is a higher proportion of rural residents in the age groups from 45-74 than in the urban areas and for Mole Valley as a whole. Throughout the district, Mole Valley has the highest percentage of people aged 65+ of all local authorities in Surrey. Mole Valley also has the highest level of economic inactivity (due to retirement) in Surrey. According to Office for National Statistics (ONS) Subnational Population Projections, the Mole Valley population aged 65+ is projected to increase from 21,000 in 2016 to 32,000 by 2037.

An ageing population presents some particular and specific challenges. In economic terms, there are implications for the growth of businesses and the availability of labour. In housing terms, given that Mole Valley has the highest percentage of one person households aged 65+ in Surrey, there are likely to be pressures on housing supply, particularly when considering the likely challenges facing people wishing to down size within their existing village or town.

An ageing population also presents pressures on health services and the care sector. Mole Valley has the highest percentage of its population providing unpaid care in the whole of Surrey (10.4% of all people in Mole Valley are providing unpaid care, Census 2011). It also presents specific issues for those older rural residents who find it difficult to access services. Public transport

0

5

10

15

20

25

Total %

90 and over85 to 8975 to 8465 to 7460 to 6445 to 5930 to 4425 to 2920 to 2415 to 1910 to 14under 10

%

Urban % Rural%

Age

Age under 18

Age 18 to 64

Age 65 or more

21%

21%

58%

Appendix Table Two: Age distribution throughout Mole Valley district

Source: Census (2011)

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A

Francis, Westcott Bakery©Andrew Shaylor/Foodfloat

needs are likely to be greater for an ageing population, but rural areas have fewer public transport options and local facilities and services within the rural communities are being lost. All of which creates the potential for disadvantage and isolation among rural populations.

Rural Mole Valley continues to experience population growth, in large part due to the in-migration of people from surrounding urban areas (including London) attracted by the many benefits of living and (or) working in the countryside and everything that rural Mole Valley has to offer in terms of quality of life, housing and schools. The latest population projections indicate the District’s total population could increase from c88,000 in 2016 to 100,000 by 2037 (Source: ONS: 2012-based Subnational Population Projections for Local Authorities in England). This has implications for the provision of housing, healthcare, transport, infrastructure, employment and other core services.

1.5 Economic activity72.7% of the Mole Valley’s resident population aged 16-74 are economically active (compared to 73.6% for the whole of Surrey)4. 14.7% of the resident population are self-employed. The claimant5 count for Mole Valley (August 2016) is just 0.5% (compared to 0.6% for Surrey as a whole) (Source: ONS).

34.5% of rural Mole Valley residents hold qualifications at level 46 or above (compared to 39.2% of urban residents) and 17.7% of the rural Mole Valley residents hold no qualifications at all (compared to 15.4% of urban residents) (Souce: Census, 2011).

Over half (51.7%) of rural Mole Valley residents in employment (aged 16-74) are in managerial and (or) professional occupations7 (Source: Census, 2011) (see Appendix Table Three). This compares to 53.7% of urban Mole Valley residents. There are more managers, directors and senior officials (17.2%) in rural Mole Valley than in the urban areas (14.4%) and more skilled trades occupations (Rural: 12.9% versus Urban: 9.8%).

In terms of employment sector, 1.6% of the rural Mole Valley resident population (aged 16-74) are employed in the agriculture, forestry and fishing (see Appendix Table Four). The biggest employment sector in rural Mole Valley is Wholesale and Retail (12.9%) followed by Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities (11.3%).

Home based working is a significant part of the rural economy and the trend for home based working is on the increase, driven by advances in technology, high property costs and a growing resistance to stressful and time consuming commuting. According to a 2005 report by the Live Work Network and Commission for Rural Communities (Source: Under the Radar: Tracking and Supporting Rural Home Based Businesses), 11.6% of economically active people work mainly from home in rural districts. In Mole Valley, the 2011 Census data shows that 15.6% of economically active people work from home. There are particularly significant implications therefore for those parts of rural Mole Valley which struggle to secure reliable and fast broadband connections or mobile signals.


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4 Data is taken from the Mole Valley Area profile (downloaded from www.surreyi.gov.uk) which uses 2011 Census data5 % of resident population aged 16-64 claiming out of work benefits (August 2016)6 Level 4 qualifications include: certificate of higher education, higher apprenticeship, higher national certificate (HNC) and level 4 NVQ. Level 5 includes diploma of higher

education, higher national diploma (HND) and level 5 NVQ. Level 6 (degree level and equivalent). Level 7 (masters degree and equivalent). Level 8 (PhD)7 Combined occupations categories 1, 2 and 3 (Source: Census, 2011)

Appendix Table Three: Employment composition by occupation in Mole Valley

Appendix Table Four: Employment composition by sector in Mole Valley

Occupation Mole Valley Total Urban Total Rural Totalnumber % number % number %

All categories (total) 42,422 100.0 31,382 100.0 11,040 100.01 Managers, directors and senior officials 6,422 15.1 4,523 14.4 1,899 17.22 Professional occupations 9,518 22.4 7,379 23.5 2,139 19.43 Associate professional and technical occupations 6,613 15.6 4,945 15.8 1,668 15.14 Administrative and secretarial occupations 5,045 11.9 3,796 12.1 1,249 11.35 Skilled trades occupations 4,505 10.6 3,081 9.8 1,424 12.96 Caring, leisure and other service occupations 3,678 8.7 2,730 8.7 948 8.67 Sales and customer service occupations 2,326 5.5 1,787 5.7 539 4.98 Process plant and machine operatives 1,495 3.5 1,072 3.4 423 3.89 Elementary occupations 2,820 6.6 2,069 6.6 751 6.8

Industry Mole Valley Total Urban Total Rural Totalnumber % number % number %

All categories (total) 42,422 100.0 31,382 100.0 11,040 100.0A Agriculture, forestry and fishing 322 0.8 141 0.4 181 1.6B Mining and quarrying 177 0.4 147 0.5 30 0.3C Manufacturing 2,102 5.0 1,495 4.8 607 5.5D Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply 134 0.3 108 0.3 26 0.2E Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities 204 0.5 152 0.5 52 0.5F Construction 3,493 8.2 2,444 7.8 1,049 9.5G Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles 5,379 12.7 3,960 12.6 1,419 12.9H Transport and storage 1,611 3.8 1,091 3.5 520 4.7I Accommodation and food service activities 1,806 4.3 1,285 4.1 521 4.7J Information and communication 2,565 6.0 2,025 6.5 540 4.9K Financial and insurance activities 2,801 6.6 2,141 6.8 660 6.0L Real estate activities 909 2.1 645 2.1 264 2.4M Professional, scientific and technical activities 4,935 11.6 3,686 11.7 1,249 11.3N Administrative and support service activities 2,497 5.9 1,758 5.6 739 6.7O Public administration and defence; compulsory social security 2,049 4.8 1,551 4.9 498 4.5P Education 4,463 10.5 3,475 11.1 988 8.9Q Human health and social work activities 4,380 10.3 3,381 10.8 999 9.0

Source: Census, 2011


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1.6 WellbeingMole Valley is an affluent district. The 2013 Indices of Multiple Deprivation indicate that Mole Valley is the 305th least deprived local authority area in the UK out of a total of 326 local authorities and the 4th least deprived of the 11 districts and boroughs in Surrey (Source: DCLG, 2015). Nevertheless, there are likely to be pockets of hidden deprivation as highlighted in the Hidden Surrey report by Helen Bowcock (2009). Isolation, particularly among older people (e.g. through lack of access to transport or local community facilities) is likely to be felt more keenly in rural areas and there are likely to be families in fuel poverty given that many rural communities will be off the grid and reliant upon expensive alternatives such as oil for heating. Rural families will also experience higher costs of travel (whether by public transport or using their own vehicles to access core services, employment and schools).

According to Health Profile for Mole Valley (Public Health England, 2015), the health of people in Mole Valley is generally better than the England average. Life expectancy for both men and women is higher than the England average and rates of early death from cancer and from heart disease and stroke are lower than the national average. The Surrey Countryside & Rural Enterprise Forum states that a healthy rural population, where residents are able to live in their local community, helps to sustain vibrant and thriving communities. The health and wellbeing of rural communities relies on access to a healthy diet, physical activity, social networks and green open space as well as access to health and social care services. However, for some people in rural Mole Valley (e.g. older people with complex health and social care needs), access can be challenging due to the centralisation of health services.

1.7 Landscape, heritage and environmentThe landscape of Mole Valley is dominated by the east-west chalk escarpment of the North Downs and the wooded Greensand Ridge to the south. The District is home to numerous sites of significance and value in terms of biodiversity, culture, heritage and landscape. 36% of the District lies within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Within the District, there are considerable areas of major ecological importance including the Mole Gap to Reigate Escarpment Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and 12 Sites of Special Scientific Importance (SSSI’s) wholly or partly within Mole Valley and which cover almost 9% of the district’s area. There are 52 sites, covering 855 hectares, which are designated as Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI’s) and a number of Regionally Important Geological / Geomorphological Sites (RIGGS). Approximately 30% of Mole Valley is woodland.

Mole Valley’s built heritage is also extensive with 28 Conservation Areas wholly or partly within the District, some 1,000 Listed Buildings, 27 Scheduled Ancient Monuments and five gardens on the register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest compiled by English Heritage. The National Trust is one of the largest landowners in the district.

There are growing demands being placed on Mole Valley’s countryside. There is pressure for development to take place in the rural area largely because this is an attractive location in which to live and work. The pressures for change and development in the countryside also stem from economic changes affecting agriculture, the search for alternative uses of buildings and land and the accommodation of a wide range of activities, particularly those related to recreation. For


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example, the District’s role in the 2012 Olympic cycle race has created significant interest from a growing base of cycling enthusiasts keen to ‘follow in the tyre tracks’ of their heroes – bringing both opportunities and threats to the countryside and rural villages.

The rural areas of Mole Valley are also faced with threats associated with climate change. Flood risk is a particular issue that is being addressed in a number of rural communities including Betchworth and Brockham. There are some concerns that local oil and gas deposits could lead to future pressures to permit extraction when the oil and gas price reaches sufficient viability levels (e.g. at Leith Hill).

1.8 Housing, development and planningRural Mole Valley faces growing pressures for development due to its position within the wider South East, a growing population and (as we have seen)because it is an attractive location in which to live, work and spend leisure time. The need for change and development within the countryside also stems from economic pressures affecting traditional rural sectors and the search for alternative uses for rural buildings and land.

Almost 80% of the Mole Valley’s countryside is part of the Metropolitan Green Belt, which encircles London. The Green Belt has been the main instrument behind the strict control of new development in rural Mole Valley for many years and has helped to protect the character of the District.

The main built-up areas of the District (i.e. Dorking, Leatherhead, Ashtead, Fetcham and Bookham) are excluded from the Green Belt and are where most new development is directed. The larger rural villages of Brockham, Beare Green, Capel, Charlwood, Hookwood and Westcott are also excluded from the Green Belt and

Rural Landscape form M

ole Valley across the Weald ©

Rod Shaw

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small scale developments are allowed, in principle, within their village boundaries. The smaller rural villages of Betchworth, Box Hill, Leigh, Mickleham, Newdigate, Ockley, South Holmwood, Strood Green, and Westhumble are all covered by the Green Belt but may still be allowed limited infill development within the village boundaries. Anything else in the District is treated as open countryside for planning policy purposes.

As Mole Valley has traditionally been an area of high market demand, so it is subject to pressure for housing development. Over the period between 2006 and 2026, the Council is tasked with making provision for at least 3,760 new dwellings in Mole Valley. Priority is given to locating new residential development within the defined built-up areas of Mole Valley with infilling and some limited residential development in the rural villages. This level of new housing provision will be reviewed as part of the preparation of the new Local Plan (Future Mole Valley).

Mole Valley is among the least affordable places to live in the UK. Pressure from London and an overall shortage of housing has led to high house prices, especially in rural Mole Valley. The average house price in Mole Valley in 2016 was £516,110, which is higher than the South East (£338,444) and Surrey average (£484,735). To be successful in securing an 80% mortgage in Mole Valley, an income of £118,000 per annum is needed (Source: Home Truths 2016/17, National Housing Federation). The same research shows that open market rents are also expensive in Mole Valley (on average, £1,346 per month).

There are many households in Mole Valley who, because of the present relationship between house prices and incomes, are unable to meet their housing

needs in the District’s housing market. For many rural communities in Mole Valley, it is no longer possible for the people who have been brought up in the district to afford to live there. This is particularly true of workers in traditional (but often low paid) rural sectors. This, in turn, has implications for the diversity of rural communities and the viability of some rural services.

The Mole Valley Housing Needs Study (2007) forecasted a net annual shortfall of 1,070 affordable homes to 2017 and identified the need to increase the provision of affordable housing. Since 2007/08, 438 new affordable homes have been completed in Mole Valley, including exceptionally small scale housing schemes on the edge of some villages. The Mole Valley Affordable Rural Housing Position Strategy (February, 2016) has also raised the important issue of homes being affordable in perpetuity – a need which is often most pronounced in rural areas where house prices tend to be higher and opportunities for new development more limited.

The Government’s consultation on changes to the definition of affordable housing contained in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) brings a degree of uncertainty. Among a number of proposed changes to the NPPF is the proposal to widen the definition of affordable housing to include innovative affordable home ownership products that do not have ‘in perpetuity’ and ‘recycling’ of sales receipts restrictions. Going forward, Community Land Trusts (CLTs) could become a tool in making sure that any new homes are genuinely affordable.


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1.9 Transport infrastructureMole Valley has the fourth highest level of car ownership in Surrey and almost half (48.7%) of Mole Valley’s households have access to two or more cars compared to the national average of 32.1%. In rural Mole Valley, the level of car ownership is even higher with 57.5% of households having access to two or more cars and (or) vans (Source: Census, 2011).

Given the reliance on car based travel, particularly in rural Mole Valley, issues include the state of rural roads, speeding on rural roads and the challenges faced by vulnerable users such as the young, old, walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

For the 7.4% of rural Mole Valley households that do not have access to a car (e.g. those on lower incomes, older

people and younger people), gaining access to facilities such as health, education, employment and leisure opportunities present great difficulties and may lead to isolation. This is particularly the case in rural areas with fewer and less frequent public transport routes.

Unsurprisingly, employees who live in rural areas are more likely to face longer commutes than those who live in urban settings. Coast to Capital’s Rural Statement (2016) finds that 34% of urban living employees commute 5km or less whilst only 18% commute 5km or less in rural areas. For Mole Valley as a whole, the average commuting distance is 15.4km (Source: Census, 2011).

Census data (2011) shows that around 44,000 people travel into and out of Mole Valley to work every day. Approximately 24,000 people commute into Mole Valley

Method of Travel to Work Mole Valley Total Urban Total Rural Totalnumber % number % number %

All categories (total) 38,294 100.0% 28,611 100.0% 9,683 100.0%Driving a car or van 24,906 65.0% 17,794 62.2% 7,112 73.4%Train 5,486 14.3% 4,521 15.8% 965 10.0%On foot 4,121 10.8% 3,450 12.1% 671 6.9%Passenger in a car or van 1,472 3.8% 1,042 3.6% 430 4.4%Bicycle 796 2.1% 664 2.3% 132 1.4%Bus, minibus or coach 614 1.6% 494 1.7% 120 1.2%Motorcycle, scooter or moped 371 1.0% 258 0.9% 113 1.2%Other method of travel to work 276 0.7% 186 0.7% 90 0.9%Underground, metro, light rail, tram 153 0.4% 128 0.4% 25 0.3%Taxi 99 0.3% 74 0.3% 25 0.3%


Appendix Table Five: Modes of travel to work data for Mole Valley

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Leith Hill Tower, highest point in the South East © John Miller

from other local authorities in the UK (predominantly from Reigate and Banstead) and 20,000 commute out of the District to other local authorities in the UK or abroad (the highest number into Reigate and Banstead, followed by Westminster and the City of London which reflects Mole Valley’s desirability among London commuters travelling by train).

Census data (2011) (see Appendix Table Five on page 43), shows that more than half (65.0%) of Mole Valley residents in employment drive themselves to work by car or van. This figure rises to 73.4% in rural Mole Valley. If you add on those who travel to work as a passenger in a car or van, the total for rural Mole Valley is 77.8% (compared to 65.8% of urban residents). In addition, to its own car based commuters, Mole Valley also has to accommodate the car based travel of those people passing through the district to other employment centres as well as major traffic generators such as Heathrow and Gatwick Airports.

14.3% of Mole Valley residents travel to work by train compared to 5.6% nationally (England), reflecting the generally good access to London by train from Mole Valley. However, only 10% of rural Mole Valley residents compared to almost 15.8% of urban residents take the train to work. There are two main rail routes in Mole Valley:

• The London-Horsham railway line connecting with London in the north and Horsham and Worthing to the south (an important connection to London for rural residents living in in or near stations such as Box Hill and Westhumble, Holmwood (Beare Green and Ockley). There is also the Bookham spur of the Guildford line.

• The North Downs Line connecting Gatwick Airport to Guildford and Reading, stopping at stations including Betchworth and Dorking (West & Deepdene).

The Surrey Rail Strategy (2013) has identified the North Downs Line (NDL) as a key priority. Electrification of the route would improve journey times and reliability of services benefitting many rural Mole Valley communities, although it is likely that car parking at stations will need to be increased to ensure there is sufficient capacity and people who live some distance from a station are not deterred from using the train. Lack of car parking at rural stations such as Beare Green and Ockley has been identified as a particular concern with commuters parking on local streets causing congestion and safety issues.

While Mole Valley’s larger towns benefit from a range of bus services linking them to other major towns, the rural areas have been traditionally less well served. Only 1.2% of rural Mole Valley residents travel to work by bus, minibus or coach (Source: Census, 2011). The Buses 4U service has been established for the rural areas of Mole Valley providing a demand responsive service that has gone some way towards addressing the shortage of conventional services in rural Mole Valley. These buses operate anywhere within Mole Valley and also travel to destinations including Epsom Hospital, East Surrey Hospital, Horley, Reigate and Redhill. Nevertheless, bus services tend to be poor in the evenings and there is often a disconnect between the buses and the arrivals and departures of rail services.

There is a skeletal cycle network in Mole Valley but the Mole Valley Cycle Forum aims to update this to provide a strategic cycle network with routes between villages and towns, as well as link to towns beyond the district boundary. Only 1.4% of rural Mole Valley residents travel to work by bicycle (compared to 2.3% in urban areas) (Source: Census, 2011). Improved cycle ways and public rights of way between villages would help to


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improve access to services and facilities and public transport connections for rural communities. This priority also links to local ‘Safe Routes to Schools’.

Mole Valley’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan (2015) sets out what infrastructure is needed to support the development set out in the Core Strategy (2009). It includes a range of future potential infrastructure improvements including those relating to highways and transport. Within the IDP, projects that have a particular focus on rural Mole Valley include:• A24 Capel to Surrey boundary corridor

improvements • A24 Horsham Road (Spook Hill to Beare Green)

Cycle Route• Brockham to Betchworth cycle route• Public Bridleway 52 (a well used link, especially

by school children between Brockham and Betchworth)

• Other public footpath and bridleway schemes in Brockham, Betchworth, Headley, Ockley

Aircraft noise and air pollution is a much reported issue within Mole Valley. Gatwick Airport lies next to Mole Valley’s south-eastern boundary. While it provides a source of employment for some Mole Valley residents, it also creates challenges associated with aircraft noise, ground noise, air quality and increased traffic on the rural road network, particularly in the south east of the district. Several villages are adversely affected by aircraft noise including in particular Capel, Beare Green and Newdigate from flights departing from Gatwick Airport. The Heathrow ‘Ockham’ stack results in some flights from Heathrow having to keep below the stack which can also be a cause of aircraft noise in the Dorking, Westcott, Brockham, Betchworth and the Buckland area.

© Royston W

illiams

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1.10 Community buildings, services and safety

Rural community buildings and servicesRural communities often benefit from multi-purpose buildings that provide opportunities for community activities. These might include villages parish halls, village shops, cafes, pubs, post office or sports clubs and pavilions. Community uses of these villages can be many and varied, and might include: playgroups, youth clubs, day centres for older people, space for meetings or training. They may even serve as a hub to deliver services such as post office services, community libraries (e.g. Beare Green community library), information and advice. For many rural residents, they offer a central and communal place in which to meet other people. Community buildings and facilities promote cohesion in rural communities and provide opportunities for social contact and recreational activities.

The Rural Services Network notes the marked decline in the number of rural community buildings such as village shops, post offices, public houses and petrol filling stations over recent years along with the services that are often provided through those buildings. Throughout Mole Valley communities are also experiencing the loss of services due to funding cuts, the burdens of legislation, under use and the centralisation of services in urban areas. Community buildings such as village pubs and shops are also under threat from redevelopment. For many communities, the village pub is not just a place to drink; they are central to people’s sense of place and identity, they provide an opportunity for people to meet and they foster community cohesion. Even the conversion of pubs to restaurants can undermine their role in terms of acting as a community hub.

In rural Mole Valley, a number of public houses have been converted since 1998. These include:

• Abinger Hammer – the Abinger Arms (converted to a cookery school 2013)

• Beare Green – The White Hart (converted to residential 1998)

• Blackbrook – The Plough (conversion 2010)

• Charlwood – The Rising Sun (converted to Indian restaurant, now residential 2014)

• Ockley – The Old School House (permitted residential conversion September 2016); The Kings Arms (converted to residential 2016)

• Strood Green – Spotted Cow (redeveloped to residential 2000)

• Westcott – The Cricketers (converted to Indian restaurant 2007); The Crown (converted to restaurant/bar/deli 2011 and now principally in residential use)

In Capel, The Crown Inn has been added to the register of Assets of Community Value. Nationally, a Community Pub Business Support Programme (‘More than a pub’) was launched in March 2016 to help counteract this national trend. This two year programme has been established to help support community ownership of pubs in England. Its value is £3.62 million and is jointly funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and Power to Change. The Plunkett Foundation is leading the programme and delivering it in collaboration with Co-operative & Community Finance, the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), Co-operative Mutual Solutions, Pub is the Hub and Locality.


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Village shops are also under threat from redevelopment in many of Mole Valley’s rural villages. One such example was the village shop at Strood Green which was under threat following the closure of its sub-post office in 2005. With help from the Plunkett Foundation, Surrey Community Action, local businesses and volunteer helpers, the Strood Green Shop raised the funding to enable the Strood Green Shop Association to start renovations to the dilapidated shop unit and, in 2009, the Shop at Strood Green reopened for business. In 2012, the Strood Green Shop Association launched a community share offer to raise further funds to purchase the building leasehold enabling more refurbishment to begin. As well as selling a range of locally source products, the shop provides internet terminals for public use, photocopying/printing, free WiFi, a café and a library service. The shop has its own ‘Post Point’ – one of a tiny handful of shops in the country pioneering such a service – and a Paypoint terminal.

Rural schools also sit at the heart of many rural communities. Not only do schools provide education, but the buildings offer the potential for shared use with the community. There are seven state funded primary schools (including infant and junior schools) in rural Mole Valley.

The Surrey Countryside and Rural Enterprise Forum (SCREF) notes in its Rural Statement for Surrey (2016) that outdoor recreation and access can provide significant benefits to health and wellbeing as well as valuable income for local businesses such as shops, cafes and accommodation. According to the Mole Valley’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan (2015), there are several rural wards where there are no public parks or gardens although, in these areas, there is often good accessibility to other types of green infrastructure (e.g. natural and semi-natural greenspace – frequently as

part of the Surrey Hills AONB or land owned by the National Trust). However, it is important to ensure accessibility to areas of open space for all parts of the rural community (e.g. those without access to a car or on low incomes).

The MVDC Core Strategy (2009) includes the goal to safeguard and ensure provision of sufficient land and facilities for open space, sport and recreation to meet current and future requirements. The centralisation of sports, leisure and cultural activities and facilities in the larger towns makes it even more important that there should be a policy focus on local rural provision in order that rural communities are not disadvantaged. The SCC Community Improvements Fund for community improvement projects offers a potential source of funding for such projects and has been used to support the Brockham skate park and Charlwood sports pavilion and community hub.

1.11 Rural safetyOn the whole, Mole Valley has a relatively low crime rate but rural communities may feel more ‘at risk’ due to the lack of permanent police presence (reduced due to funding cuts) and longer response times. Rural communities often have concerns over the speed of response of the Emergency Services (health, fire, environmental or crime emergencies). Rural areas also face some specific crime trends, including offences such as poaching, theft of fuel, machinery or farming equipment, fly tipping, speeding and youth crime (Source: SCREF, 2016).

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Abinger Hammer © Graham Ward

Economic Development Service Mole Valley District Council Pippbrook Dorking RH4 1SJ

For further information please contact01306 885001 [email protected] www.molevalley.gov.uk

Published by Mole Valley District Council Economic Development Service, August 2017

Front cover: © Norbury Blue Cheese Co. and © Rod Shaw

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