The purpose of this petition is get the Tandridge District Council to reject Planning Application 2019/145, which seeks to redevelop Station Avenue & Caterham Valley Church Walk shopping centre.

Regeneration of Caterham town centre is clearly a worthy goal. But the current proposed plan for
Station Avenue & Church Walk Shopping Centre  (Application 2019/145)
does not adequately meet regeneration objectives.
CATERHAM NEEDS:
•  Appropriate and affordable housing
•  Better parking
•  Flooding controls
•  Better shopping
•  Entertainment facilities
•  But at the same time visually maintaining the character of the area

The current plan proposed by Ropemaker Properties Ltd
DOES NOT MEET Caterham’s needs BECAUSE:
•  Too large in scope & scale
•  Architecturally visually inappropriate 
•  All small (minimum government approved)
•  All rental units (174)  
•  Inadequate parking
•  Potential flooding issues
•  Strain on local GP facilities
 
If you share our concerns, you can help by signing the online petition

Scope & scale: As presently contemplated, this development will dwarf the surrounding area.  It will therefore change Caterham Valley’s essential nature.  The height of the project will create an uncomfortable, claustrophobic effect in the surrounding area.  In terms of style, it will replace late 19th / early 20th century buildings with modern urban structures that do not cohere with the character of our town.
 
Small rental units: These flats will be built to the minimum size required by law. In addition, the density per hectare is higherthan the recommended density established by Planning Guidance. The occupancy of these units is likely to be in the neighbourhood of 200 – 250 individuals.  Private tenants are unlikely to view these units as a long-term housing solution.  The residential population is therefore likely to be entirely transient.
 
These rental units do nothing to address home ownership and helping young families get on the property ladder.
 
Inadequate parking: The plan contemplates a total of only 131 residential parking places for 174 residential units.  In addition, there are no provisions for parking for residents’ visitors. 
 
Parking is already critical in Caterham. This development will only exacerbate an already difficult situation. 
 
Potential flooding issues: Concerns about the height of the water table in Caterham Valley and potential flooding have not been adequately addressed and resolved.    
 
Strain on local GP facilities: The plan does not address the issue of the Caterham Valley Surgery’s capacity to handle a potential additional patient load of up to 250 individuals. Does Caterham Valley Surgery have the capacity to handle an additional patient load of this size?  What is the nature of the additional patient load likely to be? These are fundamental questions that must be answered and advised to the public. 

If you share our concerns, you can help by signing the online petition

Pass this on to friends and neighbours in the area.
We are running out of time.
The Council will make its decision in SEPTEMBER and is likely to pass this proposal unless concerned Caterham residents make their opposition clearly known. Please help.

Photo of Station Avenue, Caterham, by Julie Groves July 2020