5 Community Infrastructure Levy

MVDC is in the process of introducing a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which is expected to be in place before this NDP is adopted.

Under the CIL (Amendment) Regulations 2013, once an NDP is adopted, 25% of CIL receipts arising from development within the Ashtead Neighbourhood Area are to be spent in consultation with the community, to deliver projects which address local infrastructure needs.

5.1 Local Projects

The following policy lists priorities identified through the evidence gathered for this NDP, to inform future discussions on how the neighbourhood portion of any CIL receipts should be spent. At this stage, these are not firm proposals and the list will develop as infrastructure needs are identified by the community. Decisions on which projects are prioritised for CIL funding will be made by the community in conjunction with MVDC, which holds the funds on behalf of Ashtead. Any projects so agreed would be subject to detailed design and approval by the appropriate authorities, including MVDC and the Highways Authority.

Policy AS-Inf4: Infrastructure Priorities

The following projects are identified as local priorities for infrastructure improvements, which should be considered by MVDC, in consultation with the Ashtead community, for funding through the neighbourhood allocation of the Community Infrastructure Levy:

Provide public toilet facilities adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth II Playing Field, either at the Old Pavilion off Greville Park Road or near the Youth Centre.
Install Real Time Passenger Information at the following bus stops in the village: on the north side of The Street and on both sides of Barnett Wood Lane, by Ashtead Pond.
Improved parking outside the shops on Barnett Wood Lane.
Improvements to pedestrian access on narrow roads with no paved footpaths, where consultation with local residents suggests that this would be supported, where there would not be an adverse impact on the character of the area and where Surrey Highways Authority’s Road Safety Audits demonstrated that both vehicular and pedestrian safety could be ensured.
Projects to promote and improve safe cycling routes, taking a holistic view of cycle links both within Ashtead and to Epsom and Leatherhead town centres and schools.
Provide a pedestrian crossing across the A24 at or near the junctions of Farm Lane and Bramley Way, subject to permission and availability of additional funding from Surrey Highways Authority.
Improve signage to public car parks such as at Grove Road and adjacent to Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall, to encourage use of car parks and minimise on-street parking and subject to permission and availability of additional funding from Surrey Highways Authority.

The Infrastructure Report identified a lack of public toilet facilities at the Queen Elizabeth II Playing Field which is a well-used recreational facility serving the village.

Although the bus routes serving Ashtead are only able to run along the main roads through the village, encouragement for more to use them could help relieve some of the pressure on the roads during the day. Installation of Real Time Passenger Information displays at the two stops by Ashtead Pond, and on the north side of The Street would be of benefit to those already using the buses but could possibly persuade non-users to have some confidence in using the system.

During public consultation on this NDP, responses to proposed policy AS-Ec1 included many comments to the effect that parking outside the shops in Barnett Wood Lane is a significant issue and a hindrance to more frequent use of these shops. Discussions are already in progress between MVDC and local shopkeepers.

Narrow roads and lanes and a lack of footpaths along many roads may be found in Ashtead. The CIL could be used to help enhance footpath connections wherever the opportunity arises and where it is in keeping with the character of the area.

To help alleviate the pressure on the roads due to high car use, there is a need to improve and extend the present cycle routes, and particularly to encourage safe cycling to schools.

It is recognised that new issues and opportunities may emerge during the lifetime of the NDP, and this policy should not preclude consideration of other infrastructure projects which have local community support.

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