Settlement Hierarchy Topic paper

SETTLEMENT HIERARCHY TOPIC PAPER

July 2021

EVIDENCE BASE DOCUMENTDRAFT LOCAL PLAN 2020-2037

(Regulation 19)

2

Contents

Introduction 3

Policy Context 4

Methodology 4

Summary and Conclusions 8

Appendix

Section 1: Population and Public Transport 11

Section 2: Retail Services 16

Section 3: Community Facilities 21

Section 4: Education and Employment 28

Section 5: Summary and Ranking 34

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1. Introduction

1.1. Mole Valley’s adopted Development Plan is based around a settlement hierarchy which promotes sustainable communities by prioritising growth according to the availability of services and employment opportunities.

1.2. The current settlement hierarchy dates from 2008, having been was prepared to inform the Core Strategy, adopted 2009. Settlements are grouped in five categories, from Principal Towns (the two largest urban areas in the District), to Other Rural Communities (the smallest and most rural settlements). Although evidence underpinning the settlement hierarchy has been reviewed from time to time since 2009, no full update has taken place.

1.3. The Council is preparing a new Local Plan, Future Mole Valley, for the period 2020 to 2037. Based on the outcome of the initial Issues and Options process in 2017 and sustainability appraisal of alternative strategic options, the Local Plan strategy adopts a brownfield-focussed approach with an emphasis on town centre redevelopment, limited reuse of commercial and retail land, mixed use development and targeted increased in suburban densities. The strategic approach also includes urban extensions, significant expansion of one or more rural villages and modest additions to other rural villages.

1.4. This settlement hierarchy review takes account of changes since 2008. An initial review was undertaken in early 2017, to inform the Issues and Options process and initial development of the preferred strategic options. A further update took place in 2020 following the Regulation 18 consultation, to inform preparation of the submission draft Local Plan.

1.5. This document confirms the updated settlement hierarchy underpinning the submission draft Local Plan and highlights the key changes from the Core Strategy settlement hierarchy.

1.6. The updated settlement hierarchy has underpinned several aspects of Local Plan preparation. Related evidence base documents include the Site Selection Topic Paper and Settlement Boundaries Topic Paper.

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2. Policy Context

2.1. Mole Valley’s objectively assessed development needs are focussed on delivery of an increased supply of new homes with supporting infrastructure, together with safeguarding the existing supply of economic land and other uses1.

2.2. When identifying land for the delivery of homes, NPPF para 72 highlights that larger scale development, including significant extensions to existing villages and towns, should ensure that their size and location will support a sustainable community with sufficient access to services and employment, either within the development or in larger towns to which there is good access.

2.3. The settlement hierarchy is designed to support this objective, by focussing on the availability of services and transport links from each of the settlements surveyed. Based on this information, judgements can be made about the locations best equipped to support a larger proportion of planned growth.

2.4. NPPF para 78 also highlights the role of housing in rural areas, to be located where it will enhance or maintain the vitality of rural communities. Planning policies should identify opportunities for villages to grow and thrive, especially where this will support local services. The settlement hierarchy updates evidence about the availability of local services, and in doing so has identified some locations where services have declined since the Core Strategy was adopted. The Local Plan directs a modest level of growth to village locations, in line with the above guidance, with the aim of supporting sustainable development in rural areas.

3. Methodology

Settlements surveyed

3.1. The Core Strategy settlement hierarchy has been used as a starting point for this review. It examined 31 settlements, which were categorised into five tiers, as follows:

Principal Towns: Dorking (including North Holmwood), Leatherhead

Suburban Villages: Ashtead, Bookham, Fetcham

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

Small Rural Villages: Betchworth, Boxhill, Leigh, Mickleham, Newdigate, Ockley, South Holmwood, Strood Green, Westhumble, Woodlands Road Bookham.

Other Rural Communities: Abinger Hammer, Abinger Common, Buckland, Coldharbour, Forest Green, Headley, Mid Holmwood, Oakwoodhill, Walliswood, Wotton

3.2. In 2008, North Holmwood was considered as part of the Dorking settlement due to its close proximity to the town. The village of Pixham is also contiguous with the built up

1 See Strategic Housing Market Assessment 2016, updated 2020 and Economic Development Needs Assessment 2017, plus Addendums dated 2018, Jan 2020 and December 2020.

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area of Dorking and is located immediately adjacent to the railway station and major transport routes. Pixham was not treated as a separate settlement in the Core Strategy Settlement Hierarchy and this approach has been carried forward.

3.3. Similarly, Great Bookham and Little Bookham have been considered as a single settlement, as they form one continuous built up area. However, the Woodlands Road area of Bookham has a greater degree of separation, lying on the edge of the village of Effingham, which is within Guildford Borough. As was the case in 2008, Woodlands Road has been treated as a settlement in its own right. Account has been taken of services within the settlement boundary and also within the adjacent area of Effingham, provided they lie within a reasonable walking distance (800m) of the nearest point of Woodlands Road.

3.4. In the rural areas, Brockham and Strood Green were considered as separate settlements in the 2008 Settlement hierarchy, but in reality these two settlements are also very closely related. They are separated by a 200m ribbon of continuous built development along Middle Street. Village services are concentrated mainly in Brockham and are within walking/cycling distance of Strood Green. In this iteration of the Settlement Hierarchy, Brockham and Strood Green have been treated as a single settlement. This is also consistent with the Green Belt Review 2020, which considers Brockham and Strood Green together. In other rural villages, separate enclaves have been treated as part of the main village (e.g. Dawes Green has been treated as part of Leigh). In this iteration of the Settlement Hierarchy, Brockham and Strood Green have been treated as a single settlement.

3.5. Representations on the Regulation 18 consultation draft Local Plan sought inclusion of the Givons Grove residential area south of Leatherhead within the Settlement Hierarchy. This area lies south of the A25/A246 roundabout and is detached from the identified built up area of Leatherhead. It is within the Green Belt. Although the nearest point of the built up area is approx. 300m away as the crow flies, the distance along roads is considerably greater. The majority of Leatherhead’s services and employment opportunities are in the town centre or northern part of the town, and at least 1km distance from the nearest point within the Givons Grove estate.

3.6. Givons Grove itself is entirely residential. A petrol station provides limited convenience shopping, but this is located on the opposite side of the busy A24 and not within the estate itself. There is a frequent bus service between Leatherhead and Dorking, with a stop adjacent to Givons Grove. Apart from this, none of the services assessed in the settlement hierarchy are available within Givons Grove.

3.7. It is not considered that this residential enclave has the character of a self-contained settlement and it was not included as a settlement in the Core Strategy settlement hierarchy. It is furthermore clear that the very limited range of available services means that it would perform no better than the least sustainable locations assessed, if included in the process. Therefore, Givons Grove has not been included.

Services considered

3.8. The Core Strategy identified a range of sustainability indicators which together contribute to the three strands of sustainability; economic, social and environmental2.

2 See NPPF paragraph 8

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The indicators encompassed population, employment opportunities, education and health provision, retail services, availability of public transport, a range of services to support healthy communities and a range of environmental factors.

3.9. These indicators resulted in the five tier hierarchy outlined in paragraph 3.1 above.

3.10. The environmental constraints considered in 2008 have not materially changed since the Core Strategy was prepared. These have not therefore been re-assessed. However, there have been a number of changes in the availability of services and employment opportunities, particularly within the rural areas. Therefore, this updated Settlement Hierarchy has focussed on updating this evidence and considering the implications for the status of each settlement.

3.11. Appendix 1 presents the updated evidence in four detailed tables, as follows: Table 1: Population and Public Transport Table 2: Retail Services Table 3: Community Facilities Table 4: Education and Employment

3.12. Points are awarded for the availability of each service surveyed. Above each table is an explanation of the scoring system used. The range of services and scoring system have been updated to take account of readily-available data and also to reflect changes in behaviour since 2008. For example, availability of a pharmacy has been introduced as a factor, reflecting the increasing role of pharmacists in providing healthcare services in addition to dispensing medication. Pre-school provision has been added, in recognition of the increased emphasis on early years education, supported by expanded Government funding to provide free places. There is also increased inclusion of leisure uses such as sports, cinema and theatre, which were not considered in the 2008 settlement hierarchy but make a positive contribution to vibrant and healthy communities.

3.13. Table 5 draws together the total scores for each category and confirms the ranking of each settlement. There are still five tiers, which are as follows (from most to least sustainable):

Tier 1: Leatherhead, Dorking (including North Holmwood and Pixham)

Tier 2: Ashtead, Bookham, Fetcham

Tier 3: Brockham & Strood Green, Beare Green, Capel, Hookwood, Westcott, Charlwood

Tier 4: Newdigate, Mickleham, Betchworth, Abinger Hammer, Westhumble, Boxhill, South Holmwood, Buckland, Leigh, Ockley. Also the Woodlands Road area of Bookham, on the edge of Effingham (which is within Guildford Borough).

Tier 5: Abinger Common, Headley, Wotton, Walliswood, Coldharbour, Forest Green, Oakwood Hill, Mid Holmwood

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Key Changes

3.14. Tiers 1, 2 and 3 are unchanged. Tier 1 includes the two principal towns of Leatherhead and Dorking, along with the closely-integrated settlements of Pixham and North Holmwood. These settlements have significantly higher scores for retail services and employment opportunities compared with settlements in Tier 2. This is not unexpected, given that Leatherhead and Dorking are the largest urban areas, providing a full range of town centre services and including a number of substantial business parks.

3.15. Tier 2 is also unchanged and includes the three suburban villages of Ashtead, Fetcham and Bookham. Of these, Ashtead scores highest, mainly reflecting its superior public transport connections, with the railway station providing more frequent services to a wider range of destinations compared with the station in Bookham. Ashtead also benefits from a wider choice of bus services.

3.16. Settlements in Tier 1 and 2 are currently, and will continue to be, inset from the Green Belt. When preparing the submission draft Local Plan, these five larger settlements have been treated as suitable locations in principle for urban extensions. The Site Selection Topic Paper explains how sites on the edge of Tier 1 and 2 settlements have been identified to deliver this element of the Local Plan.

3.17. Tier 3 continues to contain the six settlements previously referred to as larger rural villages. However, the enclave of Strood Green is now included, along with Brockham, as explained above.

3.18. These six settlements are in rural locations and have a markedly more limited range of services than those in Tiers 1 and 2. The highest scoring Tier 3 settlement has a score of 21, compared to Fetcham’s 26. However, they generally provide a wider range of education and employment opportunities and some (but not all) are reasonably well connected to public transport. Availability of retail services and community facilities is comparable to villages in Tier 4.

3.19. Villages in Tier 3 are currently, and will continue to be inset from the Green Belt. In line with NPPF para 72, only these six settlements have been considered as potential locations for the significant expansion of one or more rural villages. The process for selecting specific sites for village expansion is explained further in the Settlement Boundaries Topic Paper. The submission draft Local Plan proposes significant expansion of one of these settlements (Hookwood) and a series of more modest additions to other villages in Tier 3.

3.20. There are 10 self-contained settlements in Tier 4, plus the Woodlands Road area of Bookham (on the edge of Effingham). Tier 5 includes a further 8 settlements. Within these tiers, there has been some movement as a result of changes in village services since 2008. Most notably, villages along the A25 corridor appear to have been more successful in retaining local services than some of the more remote villages. As a result, the villages of Buckland and Abinger Hammer are now included in Tier 4, reflecting the fact that they now provide a slightly wider range of services than villages such as Leigh and Ockley, which ranked higher in 2008.

3.21. In the Core Strategy, a limited amount of development was directed towards villages in Tier 4, with a boundary identifying the core of the village where this should take place. Taking this approach forwards, and in line with NPPF para 78, Tier 4 villages are the

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focus for the Modest Additions to Rural Villages element of the new Local Plan. As such, the adopted village boundaries have been reviewed and some opportunities for limited further infill have been identified, while remaining consistent with the villages remaining in the Green Belt.

3.22. Revised boundaries for Tier 4 villages have been drawn up in consultation with Parish Councils and other local community representatives and the process followed is detailed in the Settlement Boundaries Topic Paper. A new boundary is proposed at Buckland, which was previously in Tier 5 and has no adopted boundary.

3.23. Although Abinger Hammer has also been “promoted” to Tier 4, no new village boundary is proposed here. This is by far the smallest village in Tier 4 in terms of population, and it has a very dispersed and open character. It also lies within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Therefore, as detailed further in the Settlement Boundaries Topic Paper, Abinger Hammer is treated as being within Tier 4, but is not identified as a location for modest housing growth.

4. Summary and Conclusions

4.1. Mole Valley’s current Settlement Hierarchy was established in 2009, when the Core Strategy was adopted. It has been reviewed to inform preparation of the Future Mole Valley Local Plan, taking account of updated evidence and changes in circumstances.

4.2. There is no evidence to suggest any changes to the settlements included in Tiers 1, 2 and 3 of the hierarchy.

4.3. Changes in local service availability have resulted in some changes within Tiers 4 and 5, which cover the smaller settlements throughout the rural areas. As a result, the villages of Buckland and Abinger Hammer are now identified as being within Tier 4. There has also been some change in the order of settlements, when ranked by total score. But it is not considered necessary to change the categorisation of any other settlement.

4.4. To understand how the revised settlement hierarchy has informed the Council’s new Local Plan, please also refer to the Settlement Boundaries Topic Paper, which covers the rationale for whether settlements are inset from the Green Belt and the process for reviewing boundaries to facilitate a sustainable pattern of growth. See also the Site Selection Methodology Topic Paper, which explains how the settlement hierarchy informs the selection of sites for allocation in the Local Plan.

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Appendix 1: Survey Findings

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This appendix is in five sections, presenting data as follows:

Table 1: Population and Public Transport

Table 2: Retail Services

Table 3: Community Facilities

Table 4: Education and Employment

Table 5: Summary and Ranking

Each table is informed by desktop analysis and site visits conducted in early 2017 and then again in September/October 2020. The process has informed initial work on Issues and Options and ongoing work to refine strategic options for development and inform the selection of sites.

Where possible, information has been updated to reflect changes since October 2020 (for example known closure of identified services). However, a full re-survey has not been undertaken since October 2020.

During 2020 and 2021, a number of services were disrupted due to the Covid 19 pandemic. This included changes in public transport timetables and closure of retail and hospitality venues linked to lockdown restrictions.

Where services appeared to have been changed or temporarily closed due to Covid 19 restrictions, they have been treated as still available. Conversely, some temporary services (e.g. short term pop-up takeaway outlets) have not been included. It is accepted that there may be further changes as the pandemic continues to run its course, but the overall ranking of settlements is considered to be robust.

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Section 1: Population and Public Transport

Population:

Approximate population for each settlement derived from Census 2011 data. Extrapolated from Lower Super Output Area data, allocated to best fit settlement.

Bus services:

Award points as follows:

5 points: More than one service defined as “frequent” by SCC, plus other regular service(s) 4 points: One service defined as “frequent” by SCC, plus other regular service(s) 3 points: One service defined as “frequent” by SCC, but no other regular services 2 points: Regular, but less than hourly, service Monday to Friday only 1 point: No regular service, but some provision such as “on-request service” route or occasional services running e.g. one day per week 0 points: No bus service

Rail services:

5 points: Railway station in settlement, 8+ services per hour (4+ per hour on Sundays) 4 points: Railway station in settlement, 4+ services per hour, 2+ per hour on Sundays 3 points: Railway station in settlement, 2+ services per hour, 1+ per hour on Sundays 2 points: Railway station in settlement, up to 2 services per hour, no/limited service on Sundays 1 point: No station in settlement, but station available within 3km (two miles) by road (proxy for being reasonably accessible to access

rail services by bike). 0 points: No station within 3km

Total possible points: 10

Notes: 1. Timetables inspected October 2020. Services may have been impacted to some degree by Covid 19 issues, but ranking of settlements

is considered unlikely to be materially impacted.

2. All stations provide rail services to at least one higher order settlement: Guildford, Epsom, Redhill, Leatherhead, Dorking, Horsham and

stations to London.

3. Scores do not incorporate consideration of journey times.

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Table 1: Population and Public Transport

Settlement Pop’n (2011) Bus Services

Rail Services

Notes Score

Tier 1

Leatherhead 11316 5 5 Leatherhead railway station services to Dorking, Horsham, Guildford, Epsom and stations to central London. Bus services to Epsom, Dorking, Guildford, Kingston

10

Dorking 17098 5 5 Dorking, Dorking Deepdene and Dorking West stations; rail services to Horsham, Reigate, Redhill, Guildford, Leatherhead, Epsom and stations to central London. Bus services to Leatherhead, Kingston, Guildford, Redhill, Horsham.

10

Tier 2

Ashtead 14169 5 5 Ashtead railway station services to Dorking, Horsham, Guildford, Leatherhead, Epsom and stations to central London. Bus services to Leatherhead, Epsom, Guildford.

10

Bookham 11375 4 3 Bookham railway station services to Guildford, Leatherhead, Epsom and stations to central London. Bus services to Leatherhead, Epsom, Guildford.

7

Fetcham 7996 4 1 Leatherhead and/or Bookham Railway Stations within 3km. Bus services to Leatherhead, Epsom, Guildford.

5

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Rail Services

Notes Score

Tier 3

Brockham and Strood Green

3268 4 1 Betchworth Railway station within 3km. Bus services to Dorking, Guildford, Reigate, Redhill.

5

Beare Green 1881 4 2 Holmwood railway station. Services to Horsham, Dorking, Leatherhead, Epsom and stations to central London. Bus services to Horsham, Dorking, Crawley.

6

Capel 1680 4 1 Ockley Railway station within 3km. Services to Horsham, Dorking, Leatherhead, Epsom and stations to central London. Bus services to Horsham, Dorking, Crawley.

5

Hookwood 938 4 1 Horley Railway Station within 3km. Services to Gatwick, Horsham, Redhill and stations to London. Bus services to Crawley, Horley, Redhill, Dorking.

5

Westcott 2251 4 0 No railway station. Bus services to Dorking, Guildford, Redhill. 4

Charlwood 1388 2 0 No railway station. Limited bus service to Crawley, Dorking. 2

Tier 4

Newdigate 1413 2 0 No railway station. Limited bus service to Crawley, Dorking, Horsham, Redhill, Reigate..

2

Mickleham 585 3 1 Boxhill & Westhumble Railway Station within 3km. Services to Horsham, Dorking, Leatherhead, Epsom and stations to central London. Bus service to Dorking, Leatherhead, Kingston.

4

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Rail Services

Notes Score

Betchworth 1052 3 1 Betchworth Railway station within 3km. Services to Reigate, Redhill, Dorking, Guildford. Limited bus service to Crawley, Dorking.

4

Abinger Hammer 257 3 1 Gomshall Railway Station within 3km. Services to Guildford, Dorking, Reigate, Redhill. Bus services to Dorking, Reigate, Redhill, Guildford.

4

Woodlands Road, Bookham

n/a3 2 1 Bookham Railway Station within 3km. Services to Guildford, Leatherhead, Epsom and stations to central London. Bus service to Leatherhead, Epsom.

3

Westhumble 649 3 4 Boxhill and Westhumble railway station. Services to Horsham, Dorking, Leatherhead, Epsom and stations to central London. Bus services to Dorking, Leatherhead, Kingston.

7

Boxhill 1364 2 0 No railway station. Limited bus service to Crawley, Dorking, Leatherhead, Epsom.

2

South Holmwood 895 4 1 Holmwood Railway Station within 3km. Services to Horsham, Dorking, Leatherhead, Epsom and stations to central London. Bus services to Horsham, Dorking.

5

Buckland 562 2 1 Betchworth Railway station within 3km. Services to Reigate, Redhill, Dorking, Guildford. Bus services to Dorking, Reigate, Redhill, Guildford.

3

Leigh 943 2 0 No railway station. Limited bus service to Dorking, Crawley, Horsham, Redhill, Reigate.

2

3 Population of Woodlands Road, Bookham is included in Bookham figure and not easily disaggregated due to boundaries of Census 2011 Output Areas.

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Rail Services

Notes Score

Ockley 595 1 1 Ockley Railway Station within 3km. Services to Horsham, Dorking, Leatherhead, Epsom and stations to central London. Limited bus service to Dorking, Horsham, Redhill, Reigate.

2

Tier 5

Abinger Common 308 2 0 No railway station. Limited bus service to Dorking, Crawley. 2

Headley 643 2 0 No railway station. Limited bus service to Dorking, Crawley, Leatherhead, Epsom.

2

Wotton 277 3 0 No railway station. Bus service to Dorking, Guildford, Reigate, Redhill. 3

Walliswood 354 1 0 No railway station. Limited bus service to Dorking, Horsham, Redhill, Reigate.

1

Coldharbour 271 1 0 No railway station. Limited bus service to Dorking, Horsham, Redhill, Reigate.

1

Oakwood Hill 314 1 0 No railway station. Limited bus service to Dorking, Horsham, Redhill, Reigate.

1

Forest Green 346 1 0 No railway station. Limited bus service to Dorking, Horsham, Redhill, Reigate.

1

Mid Holmwood 343 3 0 No railway station. Bus services to Dorking, Horsham. 3

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Section 2: Retail Services

Award points as follows:

4 points: Settlement provides a choice of supermarkets, plus a wide range of other shops and retail uses 3 points: Settlement provides at least one smaller supermarket – e.g. Tesco Express, Sainsbury’s Local, M&S Simply Food, local Co-op

– plus several other shops and retail uses. 2 points: Settlement provides an independent general store and/or village shop providing fresh food and basic groceries, plus at least

one additional retail unit. 1 point: Settlement provides an independent general store or village shop, but there are no other retail units. 0 points: No shops identified, or no existing retail units selling groceries.

Award one additional point for availability of each of:

Post office Bank branch Street market

Total possible points: 7 Notes:

1. In some villages, availability of Post offices includes post office services made available within village shops or village halls.

2. Some village shops currently provide deli/farm shop style shopping, rather than more typical general store (e.g. Spar/Londis).The table identifies these separately, but they have been included when considering the award of points (1 or 2 points), on the basis that they are of a scale capable of being used for top-up convenience shopping and the current range of goods is likely to be responding to local demand.

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Table 2: Retail Services

Settlement

Sup

erm

arke

t

Ge

ne

ral s

tore

Co

mm

un

ity/

farm

/del

i

Oth

er r

etai

l

Stre

et

mar

ket

Po

st o

ffic

e

Ban

k

Notes Score

Tier 1

Leatherhead yes yes no yes yes yes yes Choice of large supermarkets, smaller convenience stores and comparison shopping

7

Dorking yes yes yes yes yes yes yes Choice of large supermarkets, smaller convenience stores and comparison shopping

7

Tier 2

Ashtead yes yes yes yes no yes no Choice of small supermarkets, other convenience stores and some comparison shopping. No bank, but one Building Society offers limited services at local agency office.

4

Bookham yes yes yes yes no yes no One small supermarket, other convenience stores and some comparison shopping

4

Fetcham yes yes yes yes no yes no One small supermarkget, other convenience stores and some comparison shopping

4

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Settlement

Sup

erm

arke

t

Ge

ne

ral s

tore

Co

mm

un

ity/

farm

/del

i

Oth

er r

etai

l

Stre

et

mar

ket

Po

st o

ffic

e

Ban

k

Notes Score

Tier 3


no yes yes yes no no no General store on the green. Community shop at Strood Green, Butcher in Brockham.

2

Beare Green no yes no yes no no no General store in village centre. Several occupied retail units at Beare Green Court. Also petrol station with additional general store across A24.

2

Capel no yes no yes no yes no General store at filling station, plus newsagent. Post Office available within general store.

3

Hookwood yes no no yes no no no Tesco Extra store includes additional retail offering, including clothing, pharmacy, cash machines, optician and hairdresser.

2

Westcott no yes no yes no no no Two convenience stores. Active bakery, bike shop, furnishings. Pilates/physio in former retail unit. Empty retail units (including former post office) not counted.

2

Charlwood no yes no yes no no no General store. Retail unit housing copier shop currently shut, but signs in window state that business is operating. Garden furnishings/gift shop near church, hairdresser.

2

Tier 4

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Settlement

Sup

erm

arke

t

Ge

ne

ral s

tore

Co

mm

un

ity/

farm

/del

i

Oth

er r

etai

l

Stre

et

mar

ket

Po

st o

ffic

e

Ban

k

Notes Score

Newdigate no yes no yes no yes no General store, statuary shop. Post office in village shop. 3

Mickleham no no no no no no no No retail units identified. Proposed shop element advertised as part of restaurant refurbishment, not counted at this stage.

0

Betchworth no yes no no no yes no Post office in village shop. 2

Abinger Hammer no yes yes yes no no no Antique shop, farm shop, "pop-up" shop in old forge 2


no yes yes yes no no no Small convenience store at filling station, plus farm shop and other retail offering at garden centre.

2

Westhumble no no no no no no no No retail units identified. 0

Boxhill no yes no yes no yes no Lamp shop, bike shop, plus general stores. Post office in village shop. 3

South Holmwood no no no yes no no no Antique shop, osteopath in former retail unit, stove/fireplace shop 0

Buckland no no yes yes no no no Village shop sells deli/gifts as well as small range of groceries. Categorised as community/farm shop based on current offering. Hairdressers in adjacent unit is classed as a retail use.

2

Leigh no no no no no no no No retail units identified. 0

Ockley no yes no no no yes no General store. Outreach Post Office one morning per week. Vacant/disused retail units not counted.

2

Tier 5

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Settlement

Sup

erm

arke

t

Ge

ne

ral s

tore

Co

mm

un

ity/

farm

/del

i

Oth

er r

etai

l

Stre

et

mar

ket

Po

st o

ffic

e

Ban

k

Notes Score

Abinger Common no no no no no no no No retail units identified. 0

Headley no no yes no no no no Village Hall Stores - focus on fresh products, categorised as farm shop but capable of providing general store.

1

Wotton no no no no no no no No retail units identified. 0

Walliswood no no no no no no no No retail units identified. 0

Coldharbour no no yes no no no no Shop at The Plough Inn 1

Oakwood Hill no no no no no no no No retail units identified. 0

Forest Green no no no no no no no No retail units identified. 0

Mid Holmwood no no no yes no no no Fireplace and stove shop on A24, but no convenience retail. 0

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Section 3: Community facilities: Award one point each for availability of:

Library Community/village hall Church Dentist Surgery Doctor’s surgery Pharmacy Equipped children’s play area Park/amenity open space Pub/bar/inn Restaurant/café/takeaway Indoor sports/leisure centre Cinema/theatre

Total possible points: 12 Notes:

1. Pharmacy was not included in the 2008 Settlement Hierarchy list of facilities, but has been added since pharmacists are classed as primary care and increasingly provide a range of services such as basic medical advice, flu jabs etc.

2. Post Office and Bank/Building Society Branch were included in the 2008 list of community facilities, but these have been moved to the Shopping category.

3. Although church attendance is generally in decline, churches have been kept on the list to reflect their increasing use as multi-purpose community spaces/meeting halls, as well as places of worship.

4. Pubs and restaurants have been included where they lie just outside the settlement, but are considered to have a close functional relationship with it (see notes).

5. Health facilities identified using www.nhs.uk online search facility. Therefore dental surgeries are included only if NHS services are available.

6. It is acknowledged that many settlements lacking a park/amenity space do have access to informal areas of common land or natural/semi-natural greenspace, often outside the village.

7. Short term temporary pop-up takeaways and online-only takeaways not focussed on the local community have not been counted.

http://www.nhs.uk/

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Table 3: Community Facilities

Settlement

Lib

rary

Co

mm

un

ity

/ V

illag

e H

all

Ch

urc

h

Den

tist

Su

rger

y

Do

cto

r Su

rger

y

Ph

arm

acy

Ch

ildre

n's

Pla

y A

rea

Par

k /

Am

enit

y

Op

en S

pac

e

Pu

blic

Ho

use

/

Bar

/ In

n

Res

tau

ran

t /

Caf

é /

Take

Aw

ay

Ind

oo

r sp

ort

s /

leis

ure

cen

tre

Cin

ema

/ th

eatr

e /

con

cert

hal

l

Notes Score

Tier 1

Leatherhead yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

Wide range of community facilities covering all categories.

12

Dorking yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

Wide range of community facilities covering all categories.

12

Tier 2

Ashtead yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes no no

Most categories covered; no indoor leisure and arts venues available in settlement.

10

Bookham yes yes yes no yes yes yes yes yes yes no no

Most categories covered; no indoor leisure and arts venues available in settlement. No NHS dentist identified, although there are private practices.

9

23

Settlement

Lib

rary

Co

mm

un

ity

/ V

illag

e H

all

Ch

urc

h

Den

tist

Su

rger

y

Do

cto

r Su

rger

y

Ph

arm

acy

Ch

ildre

n's

Pla

y A

rea

Par

k /

Am

enit

y

Op

en S

pac

e

Pu

blic

Ho

use

/

Bar

/ In

n

Res

tau

ran

t /

Caf

é /

Take

Aw

ay

Ind

oo

r sp

ort

s /

leis

ure

cen

tre

Cin

ema

/ th

eatr

e /

con

cert

hal

l

Notes Score

Fetcham no yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes no no

Most categories covered; no indoor leisure and arts venues available in settlement. No library.

9

Tier 3


no yes yes no yes yes yes yes yes yes no no Café in community shop in Strood Green.

8

Beare Green yes yes no no no no yes yes no yes no no

Small community library in village hall. Pub closed and vacant; planning permission granted July 2021 for conversion to flats.

6

Capel no yes yes no yes no yes yes yes yes no no

Café in general store at filling station 7

Hookwood no yes no no no yes yes yes no yes no no

Café and pharmacy in Tesco store. 5

Westcott no yes yes no yes no yes yes yes no no no

One public house in operation. Second public house being redeveloped for residential use. One additional restaurant long vacant and not counted.

6

Charlwood no yes yes no no no yes yes yes yes no no

Café linked with deli at 52 The Street. 6

24

Settlement

Lib

rary

Co

mm

un

ity

/ V

illag

e H

all

Ch

urc

h

Den

tist

Su

rger

y

Do

cto

r Su

rger

y

Ph

arm

acy

Ch

ildre

n's

Pla

y A

rea

Par

k /

Am

enit

y

Op

en S

pac

e

Pu

blic

Ho

use

/

Bar

/ In

n

Res

tau

ran

t /

Caf

é /

Take

Aw

ay

Ind

oo

r sp

ort

s /

leis

ure

cen

tre

Cin

ema

/ th

eatr

e /

con

cert

hal

l

Notes Score

Tier 4

Newdigate no yes yes no yes no yes yes yes no no no

Village hall includes sports and social club

6

Mickleham no yes yes no no no yes yes yes yes no no

Restaurant on A24 and two public houses

6

Betchworth no yes yes no no no yes yes yes no no no

Public house (Dolphin) in centre of

village. A second public house (Red

Lion) has Betchworth postal address

but is in Buckland parish.

5

Abinger Hammer

no yes no no no no yes yes no yes no no Tea rooms in village shop.

4


no yes no no no no yes yes no yes no no Community hall, play area and park all at King George V playing field in Effingham, within 800m walking distance. Well-established open air café at recreation ground. Other community facilities in Effingham are at greater distance and not counted.

4

25

Settlement

Lib

rary

Co

mm

un

ity

/ V

illag

e H

all

Ch

urc

h

Den

tist

Su

rger

y

Do

cto

r Su

rger

y

Ph

arm

acy

Ch

ildre

n's

Pla

y A

rea

Par

k /

Am

enit

y

Op

en S

pac

e

Pu

blic

Ho

use

/

Bar

/ In

n

Res

tau

ran

t /

Caf

é /

Take

Aw

ay

Ind

oo

r sp

ort

s /

leis

ure

cen

tre

Cin

ema

/ th

eatr

e /

con

cert

hal

l

Notes Score

Westhumble no no yes no no no no no yes no no no

Public house outside village boundary but closely related.

2

Boxhill no yes yes no yes no no no yes yes no no

Coffee shop in Bike Shop. Also restaurant outside village but closely related.

5

South Holmwood

no yes yes no yes no yes no no no no no Tearooms at fireplace emporium recently closed at time of survey.

4

Buckland no yes yes no no no no yes yes yes no no

Tearoom in village shop and café at Buckland Park Lake. Two public houses; The Pheasant at Buckland and the Red Lion (between Betchworth and Buckland and within Buckland Parish boundary)

4

Leigh no yes yes no no no yes yes yes no no no

Two public houses. 5

Ockley no yes yes no no no yes yes yes no no no

Two public houses. 5

Tier 5

26

Settlement

Lib

rary

Co

mm

un

ity

/ V

illag

e H

all

Ch

urc

h

Den

tist

Su

rger

y

Do

cto

r Su

rger

y

Ph

arm

acy

Ch

ildre

n's

Pla

y A

rea

Par

k /

Am

enit

y

Op

en S

pac

e

Pu

blic

Ho

use

/

Bar

/ In

n

Res

tau

ran

t /

Caf

é /

Take

Aw

ay

Ind

oo

r sp

ort

s /

leis

ure

cen

tre

Cin

ema

/ th

eatr

e /

con

cert

hal

l

Notes Score

Abinger Common

no yes yes no no no yes yes yes no no no One pub in village. Second pub (Stephan Langton) just outside village currently closed.

5

Headley no yes yes no no no yes no yes yes no no

Tea room in Village Hall Stores. Children’s play area at Broome Close scored as play area, not park/amenity open space, due to limited size.

5

Wotton no yes yes no no no no no yes no no no

Pub on A25 but closely related. 3

Walliswood no yes yes no no no yes yes yes no no no

One public house. Chapel of Ease available outside village (St John the Baptist, Okewood).

5

Coldharbour no yes yes no no no yes yes yes no no no

Public house also houses The Shop at the Plough (see shopping).

5

Oakwood Hill no yes yes no no no no yes yes no no no

One public house. Chapel of Ease available outside village (St John the Baptist, Okewood).

4

Forest Green no yes yes no no no no yes yes no no no

One public house. 4

27

Settlement

Lib

rary

Co

mm

un

ity

/ V

illag

e H

all

Ch

urc

h

Den

tist

Su

rger

y

Do

cto

r Su

rger

y

Ph

arm

acy

Ch

ildre

n's

Pla

y A

rea

Par

k /

Am

enit

y

Op

en S

pac

e

Pu

blic

Ho

use

/

Bar

/ In

n

Res

tau

ran

t /

Caf

é /

Take

Aw

ay

Ind

oo

r sp

ort

s /

leis

ure

cen

tre

Cin

ema

/ th

eatr

e /

con

cert

hal

l

Notes Score

Mid Holmwood no no no no no no no no no yes no no

Restaurant on A24, but closely related.

1

28

Section 4: Education and Employment

Education: Award one point each for:

School providing KS1 education (age 5-7) School providing KS2 education (age 7-11) Pre-school playgroup/LEA-funded nursery class

Award two points for a secondary school within settlement. Award one point for a secondary school in adjacent settlement and within realistic walking/cycling distance or public transport of much of settlement. Total possible points: 5

Notes:

1. Schools identified from MVDC 2020 draft Infrastructure Delivery Plan and Surrey County Council data.

2. Pre-school data based on availability of pre-school playgroups and LEA maintained nursery classes as reported on SCC Family

Information Service Directory, with additional data from SCC Education team.

3. No points awarded for independent/specialist schools as they are not open to all and generally have a less local focus.

Employment opportunities:

Scoring based on percentage of the District’s jobs which are located in the LSOA containing this settlement (Nomis 2018):

1 point: 1-2% of District’s jobs 2 points: 3-5% of District’s jobs 3 points: 6-10% of District’s jobs 4 points: 11-25% of District’s jobs 5 points: Over 25% of District’s jobs

Award one additional point if one or more medium (50-249 employees) or large (250+ employees) employer based in the settlement.

Award one additional point if the settlement includes one or more business park/industrial estate.

(Based on MVDC Economic Development team data Oct 2020).

Total possible points: 7

29

Table 4: Education and Employment

Settlement

KS1

KS2

Seco

nd

ary

Pre

-sch

oo

l

Notes Score

No

of

emp

loye

es

Bu

sin

ess

Par

k?

Med

ium

/Lar

ge

Emp

loye

r(s)

?

Notes Score

Tier 1

Leatherhead yes yes yes yes All tiers available within settlement

5 5 yes yes Several business/industrial parks and major employers

7

Dorking yes yes yes yes All tiers available within settlement

5 4 yes yes Several business/industrial parks and major employers

6

Tier 2

Ashtead yes yes yes yes All tiers available within settlement

5 3 no yes No business parks, but a small no. of large/medium employers identified.

4

Bookham yes yes (yes) yes Secondary school in Effingham (also Leatherhead, but not immediately adjacent)

4 2 yes yes Several businesses at Bookham Industrial Estate. Also some medium employers elsewhere.

4

Fetcham yes yes (yes) yes Secondary schools in Effingham and Leatherhead

4 2 yes yes Cluster of business units at Barracks Farm, also several medium businesses elsewhere.

4

Tier 3

30

Settlement

KS1

KS2

Seco

nd

ary

Pre

-sch

oo

l

Notes Score

No

of

emp

loye

es

Bu

sin

ess

Par

k?

Med

ium

/Lar

ge

Emp

loye

r(s)

?

Notes Score

Brockham & Strood Green

yes yes no yes Nearest secondary provision in Dorking

3 1 yes yes Business units at Tanners Court, Strood Green, including at least one medium business.

3

Beare Green yes yes no no No pre-school identified. Nearest secondary provision in Dorking.

2 1 yes yes Business units at Philpotts Yard, plus medium businesses elsewhere.

3

Capel yes no no yes Nearest secondary provision in Dorking/Horsham.

2 1 yes no Business units at Laundry Way and also on diversified farm holdings near settlement.

2

Hookwood no no (yes) no Primary/pre-school in Charlwood/Horley. Secondary school in adjacent settlement (Horley)

1 2 yes yes Business units at Gatwick Business Park. Also several large/medium employers.

4

Westcott yes yes no no Nearest secondary provision in Dorking

2 1 yes yes Business units at Chapel Lane. One medium employer identified.

3

Charlwood yes yes no yes Nearest secondary provision in Horley/Crawley.

3 2 yes no Business units at Betchworth Place and also on diversified farm holdings near settlement.

3

Tier 4

31

Settlement

KS1

KS2

Seco

nd

ary

Pre

-sch

oo

l

Notes Score

No

of

emp

loye

es

Bu

sin

ess

Par

k?

Med

ium

/Lar

ge

Emp

loye

r(s)

?

Notes Score

Newdigate yes no no yes Nearest secondary provision in Dorking

2 1 yes no Business units at Dean House Farm and other diversified farm holdings near settlement.

2

Mickleham yes no no yes Nearest secondary provision in Leatherhead/Dorking

1 2 no no No business parks/larger employers identified.

2

Betchworth no no no yes Nearest secondary provision in Dorking


1

Abinger Hammer

no no no no Nearest secondary provision in Dorking

0 1 no yes One medium employer identified. 2


no no (yes) yes Secondary school in Effingham. Pre-school at King George’s Hall, Effingham within walking distance.


1

Westhumble no no no no Nearest secondary provision in Dorking


2

Boxhill no no no no Nearest secondary provision in Dorking


1

32

Settlement

KS1

KS2

Seco

nd

ary

Pre

-sch

oo

l

Notes Score

No

of

emp

loye

es

Bu

sin

ess

Par

k?

Med

ium

/Lar

ge

Emp

loye

r(s)

?

Notes Score

South Holmwood

no no no yes Nearest secondary provision in Dorking


1

Buckland no no no no Nearest secondary provision in Dorking/Reigate

0 1 yes no Business units at Tapwood Workshops. No medium/large employers identified.

2

Leigh yes no no yes Nearest secondary provision in Dorking/Reigate


1

Ockley no no no no Nearest secondary provision in Dorking/Horsham


1

Tier 5

Abinger Common

yes yes no yes Nearest secondary provision in Dorking


1

Headley no no no no Nearest secondary provision in Leatherhead/Ashtead


1

33

Settlement

KS1

KS2

Seco

nd

ary

Pre

-sch

oo

l

Notes Score

No

of

emp

loye

es

Bu

sin

ess

Par

k?

Med

ium

/Lar

ge

Emp

loye

r(s)

?

Notes Score

Wotton no no no no Nearest secondary provision in Dorking

0 1 yes yes Business units at Surrey Hills Business Park. Two medium employers.

3

Walliswood no no no yes Nearest secondary provision in Horsham


1

Coldharbour no no no no Nearest secondary provision in Dorking


1

Oakwood Hill no no no no Nearest secondary provision in Horsham

0 1 no yes One medium employer identified. 2

Forest Green no no no no Nearest secondary provision in Dorking/Horsham


1

Mid Holmwood

no no no no Nearest secondary provision in Dorking


1

Table 5: Summary and Ranking

Settlements are ranked in descending order of total score.

Settlement Pop’n (2011) Public Transport

Retail Services Community Facilities

Education Employment Total

Tier 1

34




Leatherhead 11316 10 7 12 5 7 41

Dorking 17098 10 7 12 5 6 40

Tier 2

Ashtead 14169 10 4 10 5 4 33

Bookham 11375 7 4 9 4 4 28

Fetcham 7996 5 4 9 4 4 26

Tier 3

Brockham & Strood Green 3268 5 2 8 3 3 21

Beare Green 1881 6 2 6 2 3 19

Capel 1680 5 3 7 2 2 19

Hookwood 938 5 2 5 1 4 17

Westcott 2251 4 2 6 2 3 17

Charlwood 1388 2 2 6 3 3 16




Tier 4

35




Newdigate 1413 2 3 6 2 2 15

Mickleham 585 4 0 6 1 2 13

Betchworth 1052 4 2 5 1 1 13

Abinger Hammer 257 4 2 4 0 2 12

Woodlands Road, Bookham n/a 3 2 4 2 1 12

Westhumble 649 7 0 2 0 2 11

Boxhill 1364 2 3 5 0 1 11

South Holmwood 895 5 0 4 1 1 11

Buckland 562 3 2 4 0 2 11

Leigh 943 2 0 5 2 1 10

Ockley 595 2 2 5 0 1 10

Tier 5

Abinger Common 308 2 0 5 1 1 9

Headley 643 2 1 5 0 1 9

Wotton 277 3 0 3 0 3 9

Walliswood 354 1 0 5 1 1 8

36




Coldharbour 271 1 1 5 0 1 8

Oakwood Hill 314 1 0 4 0 2 7

Forest Green 346 1 0 4 0 1 6

Mid Holmwood 343 3 0 1 0 1 5

Settlement Hierarchy Topic paper

Documents

Transcript of Settlement Hierarchy Topic paper