Land at Mount Avenue, Chaldon (Caterham edge)

Tier label used

Category 1 / Category 2 settlements

The tier sentence ¶44

“several Category 2 settlements as defined in the TDCS including Woldingham (56)”

The route sentence ¶35

“certain facilities are within a comfortable walk or cycle and although just over the 800m range at 850m, I am satisfied that future occupants would have a genuine choice of whether to walk or cycle to them”

Summary

Outline scheme for up to 30 homes (half affordable) on a field on the Caterham edge, within Chaldon in the Tandridge Green Belt. Allowed after an inquiry against a non-determination. Grey belt, "fundamentally undermine" (DL ¶27) and unmet need were settled, and the Golden Rules were met. The contested limb was GB7(1)(g)(iii). The inspector found a genuine choice of modes for local trips (schools, cafe, village hall and shop within walking and cycling distance, school buses and a two-hourly bus), even though the hill to Caterham deters walking and commuting by bus would be hard. The Connectivity Tool score of 52 was read comparatively, as the top band in Tandridge. The scheme was therefore not inappropriate, and S5(5) led to approval.

The location finding

• GB7(1)(g)(iii): pass. pre-school, primary school, village hall and cafe within about 850 m; shop 1.1 km; term-time school buses 150 m away; two-hourly 411 bus; gradient to Caterham a significant deterrent and commuting by bus challenging, but a genuine choice for local trips (DL 31-47)
• TR3: pass. Connectivity Tool score 52, highest band within Tandridge and comparable to Category 2 settlements; s106 secures 20 mph TRO, traffic calming, bus stop upgrades and crossings (DL 32, 41-46, 66)