Towns Under Threat

We live in Oxted and have started this site with two of the threats we are personally involved in.

Oxted

Until recently Oxted has escaped the worst ravages of modern development but it is now coming under siege. One by one we are seeing houses with large gardens disappear. Small estates or blocks of retirement flats are crammed on to the land instead.

The appearance of the town is changing. Old established residential roads are losing their character. Parking is increasingly difficult. There is more and more pressure on the doctors' surgery and other facilities.

Current threats:

Wheeler Avenue
Wheeler Avenue is a good example of the type of road under attack. It is a cul de sac with about 50 houses in it. Some date back to Victorian times, others inter war, some more recent but the general appearance is of a well proportioned area of large houses with large gardens. It has a distinct character as it is surrounded on all sides by greenery.

To the north is farmland. To the east, Master Park. A large recreational area donated to the public by the Master family many years ago. To the west is Green Belt - an area of rare wet woodland.

Developers want to buy up seven of the gardens backing onto the wet woodland. The effect on the local environment, on the wildlife that live in that woodland, on the character of the road and the quality of life in it would be a catastrophe.

Church Lane
An application to demolish two houses and replace them with two 3-storey apartments blocks containing 19 flats for the elderly. The same developer has other properties under option in this road. The council refused permission for this application on April 4th but no doubt there will be an appeal and we all know what can happen then.

If you want to support the local campaign email oxted.residents@btinternet.com

Caterham

While campaigning in Oxted we've become aware that Caterham is being heavily targeted by builders. One of the worst examples we've heard about is Stanstead Road.

This is a long road of large detached houses with large gardens. One has already gone and here is a photograph of what is being built in its place.

Three other planning applications in the same road were recently refused by Tandridge Council but presumably will go to appeal.

If you live in that area and want help in setting up a protest group do get in touch.