Dorking SOS Home

Dorking SOS are a large group of local residents who were initially formed to oppose a major new supermarket in the heart of our town. With more plans now afoot to massively increase supermarket provision in Dorking our fight continues. We are not opposed to supermarket expansion per se, but believe it should be on a size and scale appropriate to Dorking. We had some reservations about the proposed expansion of Waitrose (now granted planning permission) and that of Lidl (now also granted planning permission), but believe that these two supermarkets should be more than enough to fulfil the needs of the town for the foreseeable future.

Update (23rd Jan 2012) Mole Valley District Council have voted to approve the final draft of their Area Action Plan, in which Sainsbury's plans for the land behind St Martin's Walk are more or less written as official council policy. This document when it is finally published will set out the council's plans for the next ten years, There is just one opportunity left to have your say on the proposals. The document can be viewed online here, and the relevant section can be seen below, You can either respond to this online (you need to register and get a username and password) or send your comments to ldf@molevalley.gov.uk or send your written comments to Planning Policy Team, Mole Valley District Council, Pippbrook, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1SJ. Things you might like to comment on are: The plans are too close to Sainsbury's. Why is the Youth Centre included in the proposals when it is perfectly possible to develop on the site without demolishing this or the Church Gardens flats? The square meter figures are constantly being revised upwards. 3100m2 was recommended in the last Tym report (which itself was a huge increase on the first figure). Now we are told 3215. The new Lidl is 1286 and the increase in Waitrose's supermarket is another 1684. This adds up to 2970, yet we are told that the two only add up to 2300 (and neither Waitrose nor Lidl are know for selling comparison goods). A new supermarket store on this site would have to be mainly comparison goods even by the council's figures. Is this really likely to be a limit which could be realistically imposed> Policy DT 3: New Shopping Provision in Dorking The Primary Shopping Area New retail development will be directed to the Primary Shopping Area as defined on the Proposal Map. Development of land to the rear of St. Martin's Walk The land to the rear of St. Martin's Walk, including the former Malthouse Public House, the Church Gardens flats and existing car park is to be developed for a new supermarket. This is subject to the following criteria being satisfactorily met: Access via Mill Lane and improvements to its junction with the High Street to provide: improved visibility for all users and as a result improved safety for pedestrians crossing Mill Lane traffic management measures that ensure the volume of traffic generated by the development can be satisfactorily accommodated on the town's highway network. traffic management measures that integrate successfully with the Conservation Area and keep to a minimum any impact on the listed White Horse Hotel and granite cobbles. Re-provision of the housing that is on the site to other locations within Dorking, following consultation with occupants and property owners. Convenient and attractive access for pedestrians between the development and the High Street including through the use of environmental improvements to St. Martin's Walk and St. Martin's Churchyard. Provision of a youth facility which is at least equivalent to that being planned in the former Malthouse Public House in advance of any development at the rear of St. Martin's Walk to ensure that continuity of the youth service can be provided by the Surrey County Council. Creation of a public 'square' between the supermarket and the boundary of St. Martin's Churchyard. This will be designed to accommodate the market and other small scale public events. Ensure the setting of St. Martin's Church is safeguarded including the retention of views to the tower and spire. Ensure views from the site and the surrounding vicinity to the wider landscape beyond are retained where possible. Incorporate measures to enhance and introduce biodiversity within the site, providing green linkages between St. Martin's churchyard, the Pipp Brook and Meadowbank. Provision of an appropriate amount of parking (in consultation with Surrey County Council) recognising that this car park will serve not only the new store but also the St. Martins Walk shopping centre and the many other town centre users, including St. Martins Church. Suitable arrangements to ensure the car park can be accessed outside normal shopping hours will need to be provided. The store is of a design that ensures it is in keeping with the scale and character of the town. 22 The development of land to the rear of St. Martin's Walk may result in the reconfiguration and a small loss in the number of shop units to the rear of the existing St. Martin's Walk Shopping Centre. The aim will be to ensure that good linkages are provided from the new supermarket, through St. Martin's Walk and into the High Street as well as providing retail premises that better reflect commercial needs. 23 It should be noted that the junction of Mill Lane and the High Street may have to be controlled through the use of traffic lights, the impact of which must be kept to a minimum. 24 A new location for the market will be provided as part of the scheme. 25 Map 5 of the Dorking Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan sets out some of the key features of the townscape, including important views. These documents should, alongside the AAP as a whole, be used in finalising any development proposal for the site. The development will also have to comply with the relevant policies of the Core Strategy and Mole Valley Local Plan as well as the other policies in this AAP. 26 Studies show that there is an expenditure capacity an additional 3,215 sqm of convenience goods floorspace in the Plan area. The development of the new Waitrose and Lidl stores will take up 2,300 sqm of this amount. The balance will be met through the development of the land at the rear of St. Martin's Walk. The precise amount of retail floorspace on this site and the split between convenience and comparison retail goods will emerge as detailed plans are progressed. 27 Studies carried out at the beginning of 2010 showed that the forecast level of future expenditure on comparison goods (2)could support an increase in the amount of comparison goods floorspace in Dorking (up to 2,700 sqm net sales by 2017 and 5,600 sqm net sales by 2021). These figures were updated in November 2011 and show capacity for an additional 1,600 sqm by 2017 and 2,700 sqm by 2021. 28 No opportunities have been identified for further suitable or deliverable comparison goods floorspace development within the boundary of the AAP, but a small number of retail premises remain empty in the town, some number of which are outside of the central core. 29 Sainsbury's are promoting the development of a supermarket to the rear of St. Martin's Walk and have indicated that they would refurbish and re-let their existing High Street store for comparison floorspace. This could provide approximately 1,550 sqm of comparison floorspace (over 2 floors) in a central location. In addition, their scheme for land to the rear of St. Martin's Walk includes around 950 sqm of comparison floorspace, but would also result in a net reduction of 465 sqm floorspace through the redevelopment of 145-153 High Street which will be necessary to enable the development of the new supermarket. Taking into account all these elements, there would be an increase of about 2,000 sqm of additional comparison floorspace in the town. Update (10th Jan 2012) Mole Valley District Council have decided in their latest and final Area Action Plan draft that the land behind St Martins Walk can still be allocated for a supermarket. This is despite the fact that the Lidl application, which has recently been approved, together with the Waitrose expansion, almost meet the quota of increased supermarket provision of 3100 m2 which has been adopted by the council in the Area Action Plan (itself a figure which Dorking SOS strongly oppose as a huge overestimate). It appears that as a result of the Lidl application success - a result which they have admitted they did not expect - the council have just changed one sentence in their document at the last minute, which sets out the council's strategy for then next ten years, Even the council's own figures (which have Waitrose selling far more non-food items than they have ever indicated they will) show that there is already additional 2600 m2 of convenience floorspace already allocated in the town as a result of the planning success of Waitrose and Lidl. That leaves just 400 m2 left to fill the quota, and the Sainsbury's application is likely to be four times that. Unless Sainsbury's gives over 75% of their supermarket over to non-food items, then the figures simply cannot be made to add up. If Sainsbury's want to expand then the 400 m2 left would be more suitable to be used up by acquiring adjoining units to their existing High Street store without the need for the whole town to be ripped apart in order to accommodate a new store. The fact is that Dorking almost certainly has enough supermarket provision now for the foreseeable future. The Waitrose expansion alone doubles the amount of space in the town, and the Lidl development will take pressure off the existing Sainsbury's at the cheaper end of the market. Give that the Area Action Plan document is supposed to be a description of the council's strategy for the next decade, it is surprising to see so much detail given in it about the St Martin's Walk location which appears to have been lifted from Sainsbury's own plans for the site. This despite the fact that there is already at least one other interest expressed in the developing the site - from Trilogy, the group responsible for the Morrisons application, and there could quite conceivably many others in the ensuing ten years. In particular Sainsbury's want to demolish the Malt House Youth Centre (which is not yet even completed) and the Church Gardens flats, whereas the more modest Trilogy development for the site would leave them intact. We find it surprising that the council's own strategy document appears to lift so many details specific to the plans of one developer, particularly ones which destroy people's homes and remove an invaluable amenity from the best location in the town. Another factor which needs to be considered is that the Morrisons application for Curtis Road could go to appeal and be successful. Given that the council's plans are so close to the Sainsbury's application it would be very likely to be granted planning permission even if three new supermarkets have been built. The nightmare scenario is that Dorking acquires four new supermarkets - at least two too many - and that the town's streets are gridlocked forever. The Council executive meet on the 17th January to approve the Area Action Plan. We would argue that no provision be made in the Area Action Plan for a new supermarket behind St Martin's Walk without a fuller assessment of the implications of the Lidl decision (one sentence is woefully inadequate), and ideally until the outcome of the Morrisons's application is known. This document sets out the council's policies for at least the next decade and cannot afford to be rushed. ENDS Update (8th Jan 2012) The Lidl application in Vincent Lane has been given the go-ahead. The Lidl store combined with Waitrose expansion add up to 2900 m2, which almost meets the Timm figure of 3100 m2 (which is almost certainly a big overestimate). Therefore we would argue that there is no need for any further supermarket expnansion in the town. Update (15th Dec 2011) Saisbury's look favourites to be chosen for the second supermarket in Dorking after the council's "draft area action plan" identifies building a supermarket behind St Martin's Walk as one of its priorities. We emphaise this is still a draft document and can still be objected to, provided the council approve of it in their January 2012 meeting. Also the plans do not specificially mention Sainsbury's, who are expected to submit an planning application for that site, Sainsbury's have also bought two shops near its chosen site in an attempt to solve the access problem down Mill Lane. The Original Factory Shop, as well as the Superdrug premises are now owned by the supermarket giant - could these be the first casualties of the new supermarket? Without seeing plans we cannot comment on the proposal beyond seeing that it's hard to see how it would make much difference as the junction is still likely to need traffic lights. Update (09th Oct 2011) Mole Valley Distict Council have turned down the application by Morrisons for a superstore in the Curtis Road area. The application was recommended to be turned down by the council's planning department and also by Surrey Highways due to traffic congestion. Although the news is highly welcome it will probably go to appeal. It now paves the way for applications by Sainsbury's and Lidl for new stores in Dorking, the former of which we strongly oppose.. Update (15th Jun 2011) The Morrison's planning application is now in and you can comment on it. The planning reference is MO/2011/0672. You can search for the details of the application on the MVDC web site typing MO/2011/0672 in as the reference number. Objections and comments must be made by July 7. Comments, quoting the planning reference, should be sent to Planning Policy Team, Mole Valley District Council, Pippbrook, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1SJ, or e-mailed to planning@molevalley.gov.uk. If you e-mail comments you must include your name and address in the e-mail. Without going into the detail of the application some general comments you might like to consider are: It's very disconnected from the rest of the town - people will park, shop and leave, thus threatening the livelihood of our town centre small shops. Very few people wanted it - over 3000 people voted, but only 8% chose Morrisons It will cause massive traffic congestion (borne out by Surrey Highways data), will clog up the one way system, and worsen the (already bad) traffic from Westcott into Dorking Three schools are potentially affected by the development - pedestrian safety will be an issue It's too large - Dorking is not a big town, and are about to the existing supermarket provision doubled by the Waitrose development - is it really needed? Update (08th Jun 2011) Status Update Waitrose Planning application has been submitted and approved with conditions, but we do not yet know what the conditions are. We understand that Waterstones have not yet decided whether to stay on in the town when Waitrose redevelops. The group think that we would very much like them to stay on. For anyone who would like to indicate their support for Waterstones staying in Dorking please write to Dominic Myers at Sainsburys No news yet on when a planning application is to submitted. Morrisons Allams has closed, and we understand from the Dorking Advertiser that a planning application is about to be submitted - however, we can't seem to find anything on the MVDC planning portal yet. Lidl WE generally don't mind the lidl proposal (subject to some conditions being ironed out). It revitalises an existing (much neglected) site and offers a different 'warehouse' approach to low cost food that the town doesn't currently have. It's quite small, and is an alternative for those who think that Waitrose is too expensive to service everyone. We understand that a planning application is imminent. Items still under discussion are: widening the footpath/ residents parking, what will they do about the 150 year old flint wall, and the entrance/exit, which Surrey highways would like to be placed North of Vincent Road so that people can't cut through. Could discuss the possibility of an entrance and a separate exit. STEVE has said that they were very open, and happy to meet with us to discuss any concerns. Trilogy plans for St Martin's walk This seems to look the better of the two plans for St Martins Walk on the surface. No news yet on when a planning application is to submitted. Update (27th Mar 2011) Several people asked us for advice on what they should say in the 31 questions in the council's consultation. We have included some ideas which may get you thinking below. The deadline for submissions is Fri 8th April. Firstly you don't have to answer every question. You can answer as many as you like. Secondly you can answer more than once to each question. If you think of something else to say then send the council another response, or submit another response to a question. There is no limit on how many times you can answer a question - well, within reason! The consultation can be found at http://molevalley.limehouse.co.uk/portal/dtcaap/dtdp2011/dtaap11. The council should also be able to provide you with a paper copy of the consultation document. You can either respond to this online (you need to register and get a username and password) or send your comments to ldf@molevalley.gov.uk or send your written comments to Planning Policy Team, Mole Valley District Council, Pippbrook, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1SJ. We think the most important questions are 1, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9. 10 about markets is also important. Other people may have different priorities of course. The other questions are important but move away from our core concern of retail in the town - therefore we make no comment on them. The single most important question if Question 1 as the enormous figure of 3100 m2 supermarket space which was recommended by a consultant based upon data from 4 years ago underpins the whole consultation. Feel free to use our suggestions below as ideas for your own response, or if you agree with it then make the same submission. Question 1 > We welcome your comments on the scope of the new research that has been undertaken or is planned. Do you think any further studies / information is required? Our belief is that the Retail Impact Assessment undertaken on behalf of the Council by consultants Strategic Perspectives accepted the figure of 3100 without questioning the fact that it was based upon very old data and of a small sample of people. This survey needs to be done with a larger sample of people and using recent data as shopping patterns have changed since 2007, with the Internet much more prevalent than it was then for example. Question Covering Issues 2 & 3 > We welcome your comments on the various boundaries proposed. We do not have any comments. Question 4 > We welcome any further comments you may have on the general issues in relation to convenience floorspace in the town. We do not agree with the figure of 3,100sqm as it is based upon a small amount of out of date data (early 2007, just 123 people). For building projects of this magnitude to be approved, the very least the town deserves is an accurate survey of peoples' shopping patterns. Even the Roger Tym reports suggests that most people in Dorking and the surrounding area actually shop in the area, despite the fact that many of them may well work outside of Dorking and may actually prefer to shop outside the town anyway as it is more convenient for them to do so. In the absence of a detailed and up to date survey and given the uncertainty over the figure of 3,100sqm it would be better to err on the side of caution before granting planning permission to a supermarket near the upper limit of the Roger Tym report. Question 5 > We welcome any comments on the general issues in relation to comparison floorspace in the town. Do you agree with the outcomes of the further work undertaken in testing the impact of increases in such floorspace on the town centre? Our comments are the same as for question 4 as the same out of date small survey was used for the comparison floorspace figure. Question 6 > We welcome your comments on the potential development of the Waitrose site. Of the four sites this would appear to be the best, although detailed plans are not available at this stage. We have concerns over the traffic implications to the town of this scheme especially if major changes are made such as new traffic lights or altering the road flow. Other issues you may wish to comment on include: Car parking should be free for 2 hours plus to encourage people to use rest of the town. There should be a limit on the number of non-food products to avoid squeezing independent stores in the town. Effect on the town during the constriction period, Question 7 > We welcome your comments on the potential development of the land to the Rear of St Martin's Walk. Access via Mill Lane is totally unsuitable for a large supermarket on this location. Other issues you may wish to comment on include: Car parking should be free for 2 hours plus to encourage people to use rest of the town. There should be a limit on the number of non-food products to avoid squeezing independent stores in the town. Effect on the town during the constriction period, Question 8 > We welcome your comments on the potential development of the land at Station Road / Curtis Road. This site is not suitable as it is too far from the rest of the town centre and the traffic implications make it too large Other issues you may wish to comment on include: Car parking There should be a limit on the number of non-food products to avoid squeezing independent stores in the town. Effect on the town during the constriction period, Question 9 > We welcome your comments on the potential development of the land at Vincent Works. This site is not suitable as it is too far from the rest of the town centre Other issues you may wish to comment on include: Traffic implications Question 10 > We welcome your comments on the issues in relation to the markets. Do you think anything else could be done to support the markets? The town's markets should be more frequent and prominent. There should be a market on a Saturday so people who don't work in Dorking have access to it. The Sunday market at the station car park now provides a brilliant butcher, fishmonger, baker, cheese merchant, fresh local eggs, a large fruit and vegetable stall, as well as cosmetics, toiletries and pet food. In fine weather this market is so well attended that customers queue for up to half an hour just to park. This proves that market commerce works in Dorking if only it is visible to the customers. If these stalls were situated in the middle of our town during the week and on a Saturday the footfall would be greatly increased. People who lose their jobs are able to start small businesses in their kitchens or gardens knowing that there is a local arena in which to sell their produce. For a lot of these people a shop would be out of the question financially, but a market stall is manageable. Dorking already has Food Float, a community interest company staffed by volunteers which sells these products very successfully on the High Street. They would like to expand their range, and have a number of very local producers interested in supplying, but on the High Street there is no available space. A pattissiere also locates his stall on the High Street, and a number of other people would be very interested in having a Saturday stall in this location. These stalls attract a lot of passing trade, and now have a firm base of regular customers. If only this trading model could be expanded on the High Street to lift the local economy. In an age of austerity the market is very democratic - it allows anyone to become an entrepreneur. Question 11-21 > We welcome your comments on the general issues in relation to the various development proposals for the town (In making your comments please clearly state which site you are referring to). No comments Question 22 > We welcome your comments on the general issues in relation to business and the town centre in particular the conclusions of the Dorking Industrial and Commercial Land Assessment work. No comments Question 23-26 > We welcome your comments on the work so far. Are there particular environmental improvements you would like to see in relation to any of the development sites identified? No comments Question 27-31 > We welcome your comments on the traffic management issues, in particular the work undertaken so far on the proposed changes to the road network. No comments Update (21st Mar 2011) There are just 18 days to go in the council's consultation for the plans for Dorking for the next 15 years. Yet less than 10 people have answered most of the questions, and some of the responses so far have been very brief or just agree with what is proposed, The consultation can be found at molevalley.limehouse.co.uk. The council should also be able to provide you with a paper copy of this document. You can either respond to this online or send your comments to LDF@Molevalley.gov.uk or send your written comments to Planning Policy Team, Mole Valley District Council, Pippbrook, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1SJ. Here are the questions. You can answer as few or as many as you like. You will need to refer to the document in order to be able to answer most of them, but it gives you an idea of the scope of what the consultation covers. This is your last chance for 15 years to shape the future of the council's policies for the town! Question 1 We welcome your comments on the scope of the new research that has been undertaken or is planned. Do you think any further studies / information is required? Question Covering Issues 2 & 3 We welcome your comments on the various boundaries proposed. Question 4 We welcome any further comments you may have on the general issues in relation to convenience floorspace in the town. Question 5 We welcome any comments on the general issues in relation to comparison floorspace in the town. Do you agree with the outcomes of the further work undertaken in testing the impact of increases in such floorspace on the town centre? Question 6 We welcome your comments on the potential development of the Waitrose site. Question 7 We welcome your comments on the potential development of the land to the Rear of St Martin's Walk. Question 8 We welcome your comments on the potential development of the land at Station Road / Curtis Road. Question 9 We welcome your comments on the potential development of the land at Vincent Works. Question 10 We welcome your comments on the issues in relation to the markets. Do you think anything else could be done to support the markets? Question 11-21 We welcome your comments on the general issues in relation to the various development proposals for the town (In making your comments please clearly state which site you are referring to). Question 22 We welcome your comments on the general issues in relation to business and the town centre in particular the conclusions of the Dorking Industrial and Commercial Land Assessment work. Question 23-26 We welcome your comments on the work so far. Are there particular environmental improvements you would like to see in relation to any of the development sites identified? Question 27-31 We welcome your comments on the traffic management issues, in particular the work undertaken so far on the proposed changes to the road network. Update (12th Mar 2011) Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) have responded to comments made by Dorking SOS about the figure of 3100 m2 which was recommended by the retail consultants Roger Tym & Partners (RTP) for the additional amount of supermarket floorspace which the town could support. MVDC have written a briefing explaining the history of how this figure was arrived at. The briefing can be found: here (scroll down to the bottom and select "How the need for additional convenience goods floorspace in Dorking was established [35kb]"). We have a number of issues with the way the RTP arrived at this figure. However one of our principle problems with it is that the figure of 3100 m2 is directly calculated from a survey of just 123 people made in early 2007 from Dorking and the surrounding villages. There have been several updates to the RTP report since that time but the underlying survey data have never been redone. We believe that the survey is too small and too old. The council's briefing confirms that the 2007 survey data has continued to be used in subsequent reports, although some data such as population forecasts and per capita expenditure have been updated. These are used in some of the calculations, but are very much secondary. However the council's briefing does provide a description of what the council are trying to achieve by this consultation, and we encourage you to both read it and answer the consultation. The consultation can be found at molevalley.limehouse.co.uk. You can either respond to this online or send your comments to ldf@molevalley.gov.uk or send your written comments to Planning Policy Team, Mole Valley District Council, Pippbrook, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1SJ. You may have seen an article in the Dorking Advertiser this week about people being allowed to vote multiple times in the council's poll for where they would prefer a new supermarket to be built. This poll, flawed as it is, we encourage you to enter, and can be found at: You are only allowed to enter once per IP address, but that does not stop you entering from locations other than home such as your work computer or your mobile phone. Update (27th Feb 2011) Did you know that Mole Valley's figure of 3100 m2 of additional supermarket space required ultimately has been calculated from a telephone survey of just 123 people made in 2007? Answers from just 123 people were used to calculate shopping patterns in an area covering Dorking, Westcott, North and South Holmwood and numerous nearby villages. Of those 123 people (representing just 0.5% of a population of 24,814) only 39 actually did their main supermarket shopping outside of Dorking 4 years ago, and 6 used the Internet for their shopping. Online sample size calculators used by Dorking SOS have suggested that the figure of 123 was far too small even if it was up to date, and that the survey should have been more like 400 people to get an accuracy of ±5%. The survey was done during March and April 2007 and included in a report published in November of that year by Roger Tym & Partners. The report has formed the basis of the initial recommendation by the retail consultants as to the amount of floor space required, and has been used in follow up reports since that time. The current figure of 3100 m2 which is quoted by Mole Valley District Council in their Dorking Town Area Action Plan is currently the subject of two questions in the latest consultation which can be seen at http://molevalley.limehouse.co.uk/portal/dtcaap/dtdp2011/dtaap11. This figure has been directly calculated from the responses of those 123 people in 2007. The relevant question in Mole Valley's current consultation, which they are asking for feedback from, are as follows, with our proposed responses it italics: Q1. (following section 2.27) "We welcome your comments on the scope of the new research that has been undertaken or is planned. Do you think any further studies / information is required?" Our belief is that the Retail Impact Assessment undertaken on behalf of the Council by consultants Strategic Perspectives accepted the figure of 3100 without questioning the fact that it was based upon very old data and of a small sample of people. This survey needs to be done with a larger sample of people and using recent data as shopping patterns have changed since 2007, with the Internet much more prevalent than it was then for example. Q4. (following section 4.5) "We asked whether you agreed that up to 3,100sqm (net sales) of additional convenience floorspace should be planned for in Dorking? .....We welcome your comments (Convenience goods floorspace - general):" We do not agree with this figure as it is based upon a small amount of out of date data. For building projects of this magnitude to be approved, the very least the town deserves is an accurate survey of peoples' shopping patterns. Even the Roger Tym reports suggests that most people in Dorking and the surrounding area actually shop in the town, despite the fact that many of them may well work outside of Dorking and may actually prefer to shop outside the town anyway as it is more convenient for them to do so. Please try and respond to the consultation at http://molevalley.limehouse.co.uk/portal/dtcaap/dtdp2011/dtaap11 or e-mail LDF@Molevalley.gov.uk with your comments Find us at @DorkingSOS on Twitter Update (19th Feb 2011) We are fighting supermarket expansion on several fronts. Here's the latest on the situation. Overall Most of the stores suffer from the problem that they are too large for the town. When supermarkets get significantly larger than the two stores currently in Dorking then they start being able to sell significant amounts of non-food items which will put them in competition with many of the smaller retailers currently operating in Dorking. The danger is that Dorking will lose many of the small, independent shops which are some of the most attractive features in the high street. The other danger is traffic. Dorking's road system is already at or close to capacity at busy times. Having to accommodate new junctions to allow entrance and exit to large shops will only make the situation worse and could drive people away from Dorking We believe that no supermarket in Dorking should compromise either the traffic situation or the smaller retailers operating in the town. One or more smaller supermarkets selling food items could however be incorporated into the town. MVDC have asked for feedback on the 4 sites. Sainsbury's, St Martins Walk Plus points: close to the town centre Minus points: traffic, too large, does not integrate with the rest of shops Morrisons, Station/Curtis Road Plus points: none Minus points: traffic, too large, plan to sell non-food items, harm local economy by taking several employers from the area, take 18 months to build Waitrose, Junction Road - Plus points: integrates with rest of the town, plan to sell only food - Minus points: traffic, too large, plan to have coffee, only 2 hours free parking Lidl, Vincent Lane - Plus points: a smaller store discount store, no great changes to traffic system needed (but details are sketchy) - Minus points: no details known What to do next Respond to the MVDC consultation. Look for the item called "Supermarket Poll". It's important to vote for all 4 choices and rank them in order, even if you do not support any of them! We suggest voting as follows 1. Waitrose 2. Vincent Lane 3. St Martins Walk 4. Station/Curtis Road Get involved. There is a march in Dorking on Saturday 26th February against the Morrisons supermarket in Station/Curtis Road. Posters and leaflets are also available to stick outside your house, and there is a petition against the Morrisons store. To find out more about posters, the march or petition e-mail saynototrafficchaos@gmail.com or call 07737 569261. Dorking SOS also needs more active campaigners with the fight against these stores in the coming weeks and months. Can you help? Fight on Several Fronts (23rd Jan 2011) Dorking is now faced with three new supermarkets, plus one massive enlargement to an existing one (Waitrose). The three new supermarkets, which have yet to have planning applications submitted but soon will are: a Morrisons in Curtis Road a Sainsbury's in St Martin's Walk a Lidl store in Vincent Lane and an extension of Waitrose in South Street. Waitrose to increase in size from its current 9,000 sq ft to 23,700 sq ft with increased car parking provision in a basement car park, and changes to the traffic flow in Junction Road. An exhibition detailing plans for the Morrisons store will be held at Dorking Halls on Friday, January 28 from 3pm-6pm, and Saturday, January 29 from 10.30am-3.30pm, with further consultations to follow over the coming weeks. Waitrose are to have a public exhibition on Friday 4 February 10am - 8pm and Saturday 5 February 10am - 4pm regarding their proposals at 1 Junction Road. Mole Valley District Council are to have an on-line consultation about the different options for that town starting on February 11th. This can be done on their planning portal (which is not easy to use) at http://molevalley-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal. You should get a leaflet soon describing this if you live in Dorking. You can also e-mail the council at ldf@molevalley.gov.uk or send your written comments to Planning Policy Team, Mole Valley District Council, Pippbrook, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1SJ Ashtead Tesco Application Granted (1st Sep 2010) The Tesco application for a new supermarket in Ashtead has been given the go-ahead following the public enquiry. Following a 10-day public hearing planning inspector Nicholas Hammans decided to pass the second, smaller, plan on appeal. Ashtead Tesco Public Enquiry (1st Aug 2010) This week Dorking SOS's Rob Sedgwick spoke at the Public Enquiry into the two supermarket applications by Tesco in Ashtead. Rob specifically spoke about the 2007 report by Roger Tym & Partners and its implications for Ashtead. You can read Rob's submission here. Sainsbury's Want Two Shops (29th Mar 2010) Now Sainsbury's have come forward as probable beneficiaries of the proposed new supermarket in Dorking, it's time to reflect on the madness of having the same company owning two shops in Dorking (as they want to keep their existing store). We already know that all the proposed locations are inappropriate because of the traffic situation in the town and that the size of the proposed new store is wholly unacceptable for a town the size of Dorking. However to remove any notional competition that a new store would bring makes it even more of a mockery, given that many of the business currently in business in Dorking are likely to disappear forever. Dorking would inevitably become a town dominated by just one large retailer. What we'd like to see instead is the town's two existing supermarkets expanded and the introduction of more frequent and prominent markets in the town to expand the choice of foods available to the people of Dorking. If there has to be a new supermarket in the town then perhaps a small "metro" store located at the east end of Dorking would be more appropriate than what the council are suggesting. Dorking Town Area Action Plan (13th Mar 2010) The council have agreed that to make it easier for people to respond to their consultation on the future of Dorking (called the Dorking Town Area Action Plan), they will now accept comments by e-mail. Comments should be sent to LDF@Molevalley.gov.uk. Some huge decisions are being made by council officials which will have a massive impact on our town for decades to come, and perhaps for ever. Don't let them go ahead without your views being heard! In order to make it as easy as possible to respond to the consultation, which we are concerned the council are trying to push through with most of the 17,000+ people who live in Dorking even being aware of it, we have produced a list of questions which are contained in the consultation. If you wish to look at a copy of the consultation you can find it here. You can also find on this site: A list of the questions in the consultation here. Suggestions on how to respond to what we regard as the key questions here. Finally if you are still finding it too difficult to respond to the consultation please let the council know rather than not bothering. Here's how you can contact the council. E-mail: ldf@molevalley.gov.uk Telephone: 01306 885001 Post: Planning Policy Team, Mole Valley District Council, Pippbrook, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1SJ In person: The Council Offices, Pippbrook, Dorking and Leatherhead Help Shop, High Street, Leatherhead Dorking Town Area Action Plan (28th Feb 2010) Did you know that plans for how Dorking Town centre is to change over the next 15 years are currently being finalised, and that YOU can have a say in the matter? Do you know how many members of the public have currently had any input to the process with just a month of the consultation left to run? Not a single one, at the time of writing. That's right: of the 17,000+ people who live in Dorking not even one has responded to the council's questions. Some huge decisions are being made by council officials which will have a massive impact on our town for decades to come, and perhaps for ever. Many of those making the decisions do not even live in Dorking and will be personally unaffected by the decisions they are making. Others are likely to be influenced by the council's own needs rather than those of the town and its people. Are you prepared to let the council make these decisions without you having a say in the matter? Here's some of the things which the council are currently proposing to do, or are under consideration: Build an additional 3,100 sqm of supermarket provision somewhere in the town. That's bigger than Tescos in Leatherhead, and would be an 80% increase on what we currently have in the town. They won't tell us at this stage where they want to put the supermarket (or even whether there would be one big supermarket or several smaller ones). Build an additional 2,700 sqm of non-supermarket floorspace somewhere in the town. That's around the size of Sainsbury's in Leatherhead, except it's likely that the council envisage this to comprise of several units rather than one big shop. They have looked into expanding the Waitrose and Sainsbury's stores in the town, and doubling the size of Waitrose. However the council are of the view that this alone would not be enough to meet the need to the people of Dorking. The council would also not benefit financially from increasing the size of either store. Sell council land in Curtis Road and/or Vincent Lane to allow a new supermarket to be built out of the town centre. Develop the area behind St Martin's Walk for an additional shopping area or a new supermarket, including the site of the Malthouse. This is the site where Thornfield and Sainsbury's tried to develop two years ago. Move the town's markets. Move the council's offices out of Pippbrook, and use the site for housing or possible supermarket provision. Make several changes to the Town's traffic system including reversing the flow in Junction Road and widening Vincent Lane. Move the town's police station from Moore Road. Remove the magistrates' court and use the site for another purpose, possibly housing. Move the town's library and use the site for another purpose, possibly housing. Use land at Dene Street, Tutts Garage, Vincent Walk and the rear of the White Horse Hotel for new developments, most likely housing. There are of course several things which are not included in the plans which many people might like to see including a Residents Parking Scheme and a commitment to improve the traffic flow at Pump Corner. We believe that most if not all of these issues affect every single person living in the town and many more people will have strong views on these issues than are currently responding to the council's consultations (which as we have said is none at all at present). In particular we have concerns with the enormous proposals for additional supermarket and non-supermarket space in the town. If built this would have profound implications for the town's traffic system, jobs and local economy. Many local shops would undoubtedly be threatened by enormous new supermarkets in the town. So would the local economy. Studies have shown that only 5% of money spent in supermarkets is retained the local area - the rest is siphoned out of the town. This compares with local shops which can return as much 50% of their income to the local economy. Local shops are far more likely to use goods and services within the town for their business than a national retailer would. With so many shops currently standing empty does the town really require yet more shops? The size, structure and location of Dorking would suggest to us that it needs to emphasise its differences to other nearby towns rather than present a pale imitation of the larger centres which surround us. Looking at many of the proposals the council's main objective seems to be to make as much money as possible for the district council by selling land and entering into lucrative deals with supermarket developers. Has sufficient thought been given into what the people of Dorking really want and need, rather than the council's exchequer? Whether you agree with our concerns or not, surely the fact that so few people in Dorking are contributing to the council's plans cannot be right. If you would like to see the plans online you can go to the MVDC LDF You can comment on the plans online if you go to the consultation portal. You'll need to register to add comments to the portal site, and look for the coloured sections in the document where comments can be entered after you've registered. There's also a newsletter which tells you a bit more: The newsletter contains details of how to make your comments on paper, but you will need to cross reference the plans to get the section numbers you would like to comment on. Finally if you are finding it too difficult to respond to the consultation please let the council know rather than not bothering. It would be criminal if the only reason you did not respond was because the council have made it too hard. Here's how you can contact the council. E-mail: ldf@molevalley.gov.uk Telephone: 01306 885001 Post: Planning Policy Team, Mole Valley District Council, Pippbrook, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1SJ In person: The Council Offices, Pippbrook, Dorking and Leatherhead Help Shop, High Street, Leatherhead

E-mail: enquiries@dorkingsos.org.uk
Mail: Dorking SOS, PO Box 415, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 2WF.