Policy information sourced from the Mole Valley Local Plan

EN3: RURAL VILLAGES

1. The following (Tier 3) villages include land inset from the Green Belt, as shown on the Policies Map:

  • Beare Green
  • Capel
  • Hookwood
  • Brockham (including Strood Green)
  • Charlwood
  • Westcott

Within the boundaries of the above villages, as defined on the Policies Map, built development will be permitted where it is of a scale and design which reflects the existing character of the settlement and where it accords with other policies in this Local Plan.

2. Within the following (Tier 4) villages, limited infill development will be permitted, on land which is within the Green Belt or Countryside Beyond the Green Belt, and which lies inside the village boundary as shown on the Policies Map:

  • Betchworth
  • Buckland (inc East Buckland)
  • Mickleham
  • Ockley
  • Westhumble
  • Box Hill
  • Leigh
  • Newdigate
  • South Holmwood
  • Woodlands Road, Bookham

3. For purposes of Part 2 of this policy, limited infill development within the village boundary comprises:

  • Development of a small gap in an otherwise built up frontage, or
  • Development of an allocated site as identified on the Policies Map in accordance with the relevant site allocation policy, or
  • Development on a site which is substantially surrounded by existing development or is otherwise very well related to the existing layout and built form of the village and where the development is of a modest scale and closely reflects the existing pattern of built development in the immediate surroundings.

4. Proposals for the extension or replacement of existing buildings within village boundaries will not be required to comply with the size limitations in Policies EN1 and EN2 parts 3a and 3b, provided their scale and design is otherwise acceptable when assessed against other relevant policies in this Plan.

5. Subsequent village boundary revisions arising from the formulation of Neighbourhood Plans will be supported by the Council, where they align with the strategic aims of the plan. As such, boundary revisions should:

  • Facilitate modest additions to villages in Tier 3 of the settlement hierarchy or limited infilling within villages in Tier 4 of the settlement hierarchy.
  • Be drawn to align with defensible boundaries and identifiable landforms on the ground; and
  • Not cause any significant harm to the purposes of the Green Belt.

For more information please see the Mole Valley Local Plan