Section 2: Planning Context

The following sections of the Hoe Valley NP contains the policies which will be applied by WBC in consideration of any planning application submitted within that planning authorities part of the Hoe Valley Neighbourhood Area.

These policies are wide ranging in their scope and taken as a whole will help to deliver sustainable development within the designated Area.

It forms part of the statutory development plan and applications for planning permission must be determined in accordance with the development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

AREA CHARACTER and BUILT ENVIRONMENT

The area now known as the Hoe Valley Ward consists of three separate villages, Old Woking, Westfield, Kingfield plus Claremont Avenue and roads off from this with a range of different characters and styles. The character of the area is valued by residents and is important as a consideration in new planning decisions. 

Aspects of historical heritage should be preserved, including stricter controls in the conservation area. Specific consideration would be given to the conservation area to ensure the conservation and protection of key heritage assets. New buildings should be in keeping with existing building scale and mass. Development should respond appropriately to the immediate context, taking into account layout, scale, density and appearance including materials of neighbouring buildings. 

The majority of the properties in the Hoe Valley areas are two storey detached and semi -detached, with occasional terrace infill. The exceptions are in character area 1, Claremont Avenue which is on the edge of the high density area for Woking, and the Gresham Mill and WiIlow Reach developments.

The built form of the area is complex in nature reflecting the history of development in the area from what was the original historic Hamlets and settlements of Old Woking, Westfield, Lower Westfield, Kingfield Green and Shackelford.