Residents' and developers' views are being sought on design guidelines for the Harestone Valley area of Caterham and Woldingham village.

The two areas have a unique character as a result of the way they were originally developed, but also because local planning policies have ensured the areas have been protected.

New detailed design guidance has now been drafted, as current policies for the areas are out of date.

Consultants from Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design have carried out character assessments of both areas to record what makes the areas special and what features should be kept. Caterham Valley and Woldingham Parish Councils have been involved in this process. Draft design guidance has been produced based on the assessments and the District Council is now consulting the public about this.

Copies of the Design Guidance documents and the character assessments can be inspected at the Council Offices, Station Road East, Oxted RH8 0BT, Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5pm, Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm, or viewed on the website at www.tandridge.gov.uk/Planning/PlanningPolicy/HarestoneValleyandWoldinghamDesignGuidance.htm.

Copies are also available for inspection at Caterham Valley Library. Copies of the Design Guidance can be purchased from the Council Offices at £3 each and copies of the Character Assessments at £2.50 each.

The consultation period runs from the 7th October until 18th November 2010. Comments should be sent to the Director of Planning, Council Offices, Station Road East, Oxted RH8 0BT, or by e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. There is also an online form on the website.

Following the consultation, the design guidance will be amended if necessary and adopted by the Council. They will be used to help decide planning applications for the areas. Developers and home owners will be encouraged to use them to ensure any building work they carry out is in character with the two areas.

Councillor David Weightman, Chairman of the Planning Policy Committee, said: "The Harestone Valley area and Woldingham village are cherished by the people who live there and by the wider community. These documents, based on a thorough understanding of what makes the areas special, will provide strong and effective tools for the Council to use to protect them from inappropriate development over the coming years. But before we adopt them, we need to hear from the public and from developers to make sure we have got the guidance right."