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TATSFIELD PARISH COUNCIL |
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DEVELOPMENT STATEMENT 2007 |
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AIMS |
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· to articulate villagers' vision of Tatsfield |
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· to provide the Parish Council with a valid bench mark for considering planning applications |
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· to influence the planning authority in its consideration of planning and development matters for Tatsfield |
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Background |
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Tatsfield can trace its origins back nearly 1,000 years and appears in the Domesday Book of 1086. It was then little more than a scattering of farmsteads and expansion into a fully populated village did not occur until the late 19th century, with railway proposals, and into the last century with the rise of car ownership. It thus exhibits buildings in a diversity of styles which mirrors the population of Tatsfield itself. |
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The village lies within the Green Belt and is situated on one of the highest points on the North Downs with extensive views across the south-facing downland scarp to the Kentish Weald. At its northern tip is a buffer zone with the London Borough of Bromley, where a transition is made between the countryside and the suburban expansion of Biggin Hill valley. |
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Over the last few decades, the village has found itself being transformed from "a curiosity .. a shack colony of tiny houses almost lost in foliage" (Richard Church, 1948) to "this popular and highly sought after village" (today's local estate agents!). In the past (as evidenced in several Village Appraisals) people have come to live in Tatsfield because they enjoy its semi¬rural aspect and the easy access to open countryside; they remain because of the strong community spirit in the village, eg its Gold awards in South East in Bloom which have been awarded for the high level of participation of so many villagers. The diverse built environment is part of Tatsfield's semi-rural nature; its sense of isolation and setting within the Green Belt needs to be maintained for villagers and visitors alike. |
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· its semi-rural status as a settlement within the Green Belt |
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· the sense that the village marks the divide between town and country and looks out to open countryside from the North Downs |
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· the initial impact of the village scene at its centre |
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· its strong links with the natural environment, evidenced by well-used village greens, mature trees and innumerable shaws and hedgerows; and conversely, the spaces between them; as well as the network of footpaths, bridle¬ways and unmade which criss-cross the village |
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· its role as a natural wildlife habitat for a number of species |
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· its unique community spirit and the diversity of its built environment |
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· its economic profile and its range of property values and how these can be influenced by the planning process |
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· the adequacy of infrastructure and utilities to service existing housing as well as new accommodation and the effect of development on Tatsfield's mix of metalled and unmade roads |
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Strategy |
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To achieve these objectives, it is presumed that relevant policies contained within the Tandridge District Local Plan will continue to be applied until its successor comes into effect. The policy references below are therefore taken from the current District Local Plan. |
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A Green Belt: The Green Belt designation surrounding Tatsfield should be rigorously maintained so that the village is not swallowed up by Biggin Hill's suburban sprawl and the effect of entering the countryside is preserved (Ref RE2 and 1994 Village Appraisal p16/ 17). The notion of transition and "difference" are hard ones to define but are strongly felt by villagers. |
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B Development Transition: There has been consistent opposition to any plans for extensive housing to the south of the village centre and this continues to be expressed concerning application 2007/1077 for seven dwellings at Bassetts.(Ref RE2 and refusal, of application 1990/45 for 28 sheltered houses) Over the years the Council has also sought to encourage a lower density of housing on the edge of the Green Belt. The Parish Council will continue this policy and hope it will be respected by others. |
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C Natural Environment: The hallmark of the village is its host of mature trees and density of woodland cover. Every effort should be made to identify and protect this feature as well as the habitats of a number of wildlife species, both in general and as part of planning guidance. Footpath and bridleway networks need constant monitoring (Ref BE1) |
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D Village Centre: The initial impact of the village scene at its centre, where the removal of any part would destroy the effect of the whole. Tatsfield's centre (comprising Westmore Green, pond, pub, club, restaurant, shops and village hall) is more than the sum of its parts and is pleasing to the eye and welcoming to visitors. Its effect would be destroyed if any part were lost or radically altered. (During the transformation of the Old Bakery into a restaurant, efforts were made to restore the curiosity of its corner "tower". This is very much part of the village scene, as is the "Railway Hotel" facade of the Old Ship pub). Tatsfield centre must be preserved as an harmonious and much used focal point of village life. (Ref BE1) |
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E Roads: Every road in Tatsfield has its own unique character and this must be respected when planning permission is considered, so that the variety of housing can be maintained but the overall rural aspect of the village can also be preserved. (Ref BE1) The network of metalled and unmade roads is idiosyncratic but should be respected and not ignored in the development process |
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