WAVERLEY Borough Council's executive this week approved a document setting out the future for conservation areas in Chiddingfold. The 'Chiddingfold Conservation Area Appraisal' aims to assess the character of important areas of the village, identify the qualities which should be preserved and put forward proposals for future improvements. The draft document was given the thumbs up by the executive, on Tuesday night, but a recommendation to approve the extension of four conservation areas in the village will go before full council on Tuesday, October 16. In a report to councillors, Waverley officers said the appraisal was a "comprehensive analysis of the conservation area, written in partnership with local people." Officers went on to say there had not been complete agreement on the proposed conservation area boundaries, and the public had not shown any great preference for any one area. Waverley Borough Council has already set aside £15,000 in 2007/08 for enhancement work in Chiddingfold, identified in the appraisal. Chiddingfold Parish Council and Surrey County Council also intend to contribute to the projects set out in the document. The appraisal assesses the special characteristics of historic areas of the village and looks in detail at nine 'study areas'. The street layout, historic buildings, heritage features, green spaces, existing conservation area boundary and improvement opportunities have been considered for each study area. The appraisal also claims the impact of traffic is the "most significant problem in the conservation areas." The document notes that Chiddingfold has kept a number of shops, pubs and halls for public use in the village and argues these should be retained as an "intrinsic part of the character of the conservation areas". The area studies have also identified 'enhancement projects' which could be carried out to improve the appearance of the conservation areas and considered how these could be funded. The document also aims to safeguard business uses in the village which are not detrimental to the conservation areas, provide zebra crossings, improve junctions and introduce parking facilities for the village centre.
