Background

The Chalk Pit in Anna Valley is part of the Parish Council estate and for many years provided a source of income that allowed the Parish Council to keep the Precept (the amount that Parishioners contribute each year through TVBC Council Tax) lower than would otherwise be the case.  The introduction of rates on commercial buildings prompted the previous tenant to vacate the site in 2023, and the condition of the building rendered it unsuitable for future tenancy.

Development decisions and progress

• Feedback from the Community Consultation in 2024 (see here) indicated support for renovation or replacement of the existing commercial unit to create a future income stream as well as some form of community facility. 
• The Sell option was suspended in 2024, following a clear message by 65% of respondents that they did not support the option that, even if funding cannot be raised, the site be sold.
• Renovation of the existing structure was determined to be economically unviable.  The running costs,  in particular business rates of £12k/annum, of keeping the building were a major factor in the decision to demolish.  Demolition of the main building was completed in May 2025.
• The following surveys have been completed in preparation for a future planning application:  Bat survey; geological stability survey and rockfall assessment; topographical survey.

Development status

• Outline plan.  Future plans for development at the site are for a community building and small commercial units with a design which is scalable and modular to ensure that development is commensurate with available finance. A key goal is to build smaller commercial units to avoid business rates for future tenants.
• Architects design.  Following a competitive process a design by Thoughtbarn Architects has been approved and a submission for pre-application advice is currently being considered by TVBC.
• Legal Powers.  Legal advice is that the Parish Council lacks the legal power to develop commercial buildings for rent, which supports exploration of a joint venture agreement for the commercial buildings.
• Funding Sources - The Parish Council plans to fund any development from grant funding and will not use precept funding. We are actively engaged in building funds for the project, and are grateful particularly to Cowdown Rewnewables Ltd who have granted seed funding of £34k towards the project.  The current target for fundraising is £500k.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Community engagement- Taking the Upper Clatford and Anna Valley community with us on this project is really important to us. A briefing on the Chalk Pit project plans was provided at the community briefing in the Village Hall in April 2025 and at the NDP Briefing in March 2026.  
• Parish involvement.  Upper Clatford Conservation Group volunteers got involved helping to tidy up the site prior to the decision to demolition.  About 15 parishioners also helped with conducting the Bat Survey.
• External Stakeholders. Caroline Nokes MP has visited and expressed strong support for the general objectives. She also supported us in our unsuccessful efforts to have the business rates suspended.  TVBC are supportive of the project; visits have been conducted by Cllr Phil North (Leader TVBC), Andy Ferrier (CE TVBC) and Salena Mulhere (D/CE TVBC),  Cllr Maureen Flood and Cllr Susanne Hasselmann (Anna Ward Councillors TVBC).