Constraints, Challenges and Lessons Burstow Local Housing

History Burstow Day September 2006 To determine a positive way forward for the community Short, medium and long term objectives identified Average earnings/house price ratio – 13:1 September 2007 Council resolved to progress with a local housing initiative

Beginning the Process Engagement with TDC Development Officer and SCA Rural Housing Enabler Housing Needs Survey carried out by Surrey Community Action This was delivered to all houses in the Parish in the Autumn of 2008 This identified that over 30 families were deemed as being in ‘need’ of affordable housing

Site location

Green Belt in Tandridge

Site Constraints Previous picture shows that much of Burstow is on a flood plain 7 potential sites were identified 6 ruled out because of flood plain issues, landowner unwilling to sell, proximity to flight paths, etc Engagement with TDC planning officers Land at Hunters Moon allotment site identified as being most suitable

Areal view of north side of site

This shows where the homes will be

Hunters Moon Allotments Attached Location Plan for illustration Stretching RES Policy – site adjacent to Copthorne (West Sussex) not Tandridge Strategic Gap maintained Counsel’s opinion taken – positive response Support and pro-active approach from TDC planners

Allotment Deregulation Application submitted to DCLG to deregulate 1/3 of the allotment site Alternative provision made by BPC ensured no loss of land area and no tenant was left without a plot Adjacent village, in a different county dismayed at the loss of ‘their’ allotments Publicity campaign started by objectors to halt/delay the process

Guess Where We Went!

Hurdles Overcome Opposition to deregulation – after many months and a huge amount of work DCLG granted permission to deregulate 1/3 of the site Judicial Review – 2 allotment tenants and 2 Copthorne residents lodged this, claiming DCLG had acted improperly and naming BPC as an interested party

At the same time a High Court challenge was launched against BPC claiming we used the wrong legislation in our application to deregulate Learning more about Enclosure Awards from the 1800’s, the too numerous to count Allotment Acts and the scarcity of explanation in Hansard The High Court finding in favour of BPC The Court of Appeal ruling in our favour

Planning ERHA submitting the planning application Another attempt to derail the process was made by the submission of an application to register the land as an Asset of Community Value Lobbying by Copthorne residents and their Councillors to the Planning Committee asking for a refusal Permission granted...8 years after idea conceived!

4 x 1 bed, 2 person flats

The two 2 bed, 4 person houses

The 2 x 3 bed, 5 person Houses

Lessons Learned Don’t start! The entire Council needs to be committed to the project as even without our problems it doesn’t happen quickly Being resolute in the face of unwarranted opposition to do what is right for the community Determination/passion/belief