Dear Residents,
As you well know Kingswood is primarily surrounded by Metropolitan Green Belt (MGB), thereby creating the village environment that we all value and appreciate. Most of this green belt is also currently classed as being an Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV). This particular classification is to be discontinued and there is currently a review underway to review Areas of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) to ascertain whether they should be reclassified as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty AONB or simply classed as MGB.
If it is found appropriate to to re-designate some or all of the current AGLV as AONB then this will help to enhance and protect the surrounding countryside and the environment that we value.
The website that describes the review process can be accessed at https://www.surrey-hills-aonb-boundary-review.org/welcome . The site contains considerable information but the methods and templates/maps for responding are contained in the section marked ‘Share’. The options for responding range from using an App to completing a template type of form and sending the completed document by post or email. The degree of detail required can range from considerable detail to a more simplified approach depending on what the respondent may wish to say.
The land surrounding Kingswood is designated as being within area EA7 and is part of a broader package of land extending as far as Leatherhead. It is up to each resident to decide how best to comment on their areas of interest and this will depend on where they live in the village, their personal interests and the areas of countryside that they are familiar with. It is likely that people will not wish to comment on all of area EA7 so a map can be included showing the area to which the comments relate and these comments can be recorded on the templates provided on the website. In addition pictures can also be included to support the points being made. Alternatively fully electronic options are available, but whatever route is selected the response must be posted or delivered electronically by 31st January.
The inclusion of local land within the AONB would enhance the status of the green belt and would make it easier to protect the area in the event of inappropriate development being proposed. In this respect we are all well aware that much of the local land including the Banstead Estate to the North of Kingswood is held by owners with a strong interest in future development and it is this area that is probably the area most vulnerable . As you will see in the AONB documentation, controlling development is not a valid reason for including land within the AONB but if rightfully included in that category it will certainly enhance its value in terms of future protection.
We did consider providing possible wording for your consideration but felt that different people would wish to focus on a range of different issues addressed in various ways. As such we thought that providing wording would probably be of little benefit. It is however worth noting that even a brief input would be a valuable.
Thank you
For The KRA Planning Sub-Committee