Background

The Chalk Pit in Anna Valley has been part of the Parish Council estate for many years and has provided an important source of income which in turn has 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, and at the same time, maintain services. 

The original building was a single rentable unit and up until the end of 2023 was let, providing an income for the council for the benefit of the community. 

Current Status

Development Strategy

• The feedback from the Community Consultation (see here) indicated support for both replacement of the existing commercial units to create a future income stream as well as some form of community facility. 
• The Sell Option was suspended in September, following a clear message by 65% of respondents in the Community Consultation, that they did not support the option that, even if funding cannot be raised, the site be sold.
• The key development objective is revenue generation to deliver community benefit.  If sufficient funding can be found to include the community facility, it will be incorporated. If it is not, the commercial units will be the priority to support future income streams which can then support the community facility as a second phase (along with other improved community services and projects).
• Having examined the financial and operational risks associated with a new building versus renovating the existing structure the decision was made by the council to demolish the existing building which was in a very poor state and would require significant expenditure. The running costs, in particular business rates, of keeping the building whilst funding for redevelopment was raised were a major factor in the decision to demolish.
• A contract for demolition was let in the last quarter of FY 24/25 and demolition proceeded with during March/ April 2025. 
• The future plans for development at the site are for a commercial unit design which is both scalable and modular to ensure that development is not delayed by available finance. A key goal is to build smaller commercial units to minimise business rates for future tenants.
• Pre-app discussions have been held with TVBC planners to inform the design and future use of this site. 

Pre-development actions

• Concept design - we have sought designs from architects to deliver a new business unit facility with some community space incorporated. We've now down selected our preferred option for the future design of the new Chalk Pit business units. For a look at the two options we considered see the Agenda for March 2025  - Annex F.
• Bat Survey – was carried out in August and September 2024.
• Geological Stability Survey was conducted by specialist consultants during August 2024, followed by a rockfall assessment. This work has supported the designs and placement of the new buildings.
• Demolition - the decision was made, largely on economic grounds, to demolish the existing old building. The contract for demolishing was successfully let in February 2025 and demolition and clearance completed in April 2025. 
• Funding Sources - the council have made the decision to fund the new development without recourse to the precept funding we receive. We are now actively engaged in building funds for the project. Scale of funding: the current (2024) expectation is that total costs will be between £500,000 for 4 units and £750,000 which includes provision for a community office space.

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 on April 9th 2025.  

• Parish involvement –  conservation group volunteers got involved helping to tidy up the site prior to the 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 has also supported us in our efforts to have the Business Rates suspended. The  Deputy CEO  of TVBC (Salena Mulhere) as well as both Anna Ward Councillors have also visited the site and expressed support for the goal to redevelop.