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East Surrey Shadow Authority holds its first meeting
Tadworth Hanging Baskets are in place for the Summer
Chequers Lane Planning Appeal Refused
Petition Parliament to exclude farmland from Grey Belt
RBBC Votes to create new Banstead & The Villages Council - and loses the power to do it!
Co-op in Walton to close for 3 months
RBBC Final Recommendations for a new ‘Banstead & The Villages Parish Council’
Canon Farm Planning Application - a new estate in the Green Belt on our doorstep?
Tadworth Post Office hours change again
‘Future Surrey’ website launched to update residents about Local Government Reorganisation progress
Planning Inquiry Report - Chequers Lane Travellers' Site
New website for Walton on the Hill and District Local History Society
East Surrey Shadow Authority holds its first meeting
Following the elections on 7th May, the East Surrey Shadow Authority held its first meeting on 20th May. An overview of the key appointments and decisions made can be viewed via the Future Surrey website.
The East Surrey Shadow Authority will be working with East Surrey's Borough and District Councils over coming months to oversee the smooth transition to the new unitary model in April 2027 when the Shadow Authority formally becomes East Surrey Council and takes over responsibility for service delivery.
Anyone wanting to view the detailed agenda for the meeting and some of the papers presented and discussed can do so here.
Tadworth Hanging Baskets are in place for the Summer
The hanging baskets organised by the TWRA have gone up this week, on various lamp posts in Tadworth. Over the winter, we have been selecting plants, co-ordinating orders, organising the installation and arranging watering schedules. With lush ivy and bright geraniums, vibrant petunias and trailing lobelia, the carefully chosen combinations will provide colour throughout the summer. The baskets not only add visual appeal but also support local biodiversity, attracting bees and other pollinators. (The baskets in Tadworth are funded via the TWRA; a similar scheme in Walton on the Hill is organised by the Walton Village Forum.)
Chequers Lane Planning Appeal Refused
The appeal against RBBC's refusal to grant planning permission for a travellers' site on Chequers Lane has been refused by the Planning Inspector. The Inspector has upheld the Council’s original refusal reasons, including concerns around inappropriate development in the Green Belt, impact on openness, and harm to the character and appearance of the area.
The Planning Inspector's decision and his reasons for reaching it can be read here.
Many thanks should go to all those who campaigned against this application being granted, not least the TWRA's two planning specialists, Richard Harris and Gillian Hein whose analysis of the application and how planning law applied to it provided strong evidence that it should be rejected. In particular, Gillian attended every day of the appeal and presented powerful and persuasive arguments that the appeal should be rejected.
However, whilst this decision will come as a great relief to many residents, we should not assume it will necessarily be the end of the matter. The appellant still owns the land and may continue to seek some use for it or look to sell it to someone else who might also do so. So it will be important to study in full the Inspector's rationale for rejecting the application so as to properly understand whether the decision opens the door for any other sort of application that might not be rejected.
Petition Parliament to exclude farmland from Grey Belt
A petition has just been launched asking the Government to exclude land used for primary food production from being designated as Grey Belt. The Government's revised National Planning Policy Framework suggests that farmland may in some circumstances be designated as Grey Belt and thus susceptible to planning applications for development, which would be difficult to prevent.
For example, the Canons Farm application regarding farmland between Kingswood and Burgh Heath, just off the A217, where permission has been sought for 130 homes, would be prevented if such a rule were in place.
To sign this petition please go to https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/759587
RBBC Votes to create new Banstead & The Villages Council - and loses the power to do it!
On 26th March Reigate & Banstead Borough Council voted in favour of creating a new parish council in the north of the borough, to be called Banstead & The Villages Council. However, administrative errors both at government level and locally mean that technically, as of 10th March, RBBC no longer has the legal power to create a new parish council.
The reason, in summary, is that the government issued a 'Structural Changes Order' for Surrey, on 10th March, relating to the creation of a new East Surrey Council, which will replace RBBC and the other Borough/District Councils, and this Order differed from the template that had been sent to RBBC previously. The omission of a clause enabling the Boroughs/Districts to complete Community Governance Review processes leading to new parishes was not spotted until too late and - without going into even more arcane legislative detail - it means that only the new East Surrey Council (ESC) has the powers to create a new parish council.
Of course, East Surrey Council does not exist yet. Councillor elections are not until 7th May, after which a 'shadow' council will be in place during the transition from RBBC to ESC, until April 2027 when ESC will be 'vested' and RBBC will disappear.
RBBC has drafted the necessary orders and paperwork for a new parish to be created, and we understand the shadow ESC could implement these during the transition year, such that we might still have parish council elections in May 2027. Whether it will do so remains to be seen.
The TWRA has written to the Leader of RBBC to request a meeting to discuss this further, and will also be formally writing to all candidates standing in our ward for election to ESC whether they support the creation of the new parish and whether they will commit to working with all ESC councillors to ensure that the new parish happens, as planned, as soon as possible. We will publish their replies in due course.
A map of the proposed new parish with a table showing how many councillors would be elected per ward can be seen here or via the RBBC website page detailing the decisions made on 26th March.
Co-op in Walton to close for 3 months
The Co-op supermarket in Walton on the Hill will be closed for refurbishment from 11 April until 1st August. The next nearest Co-op is at Tattenham Crescent in Tattenham Corner - which offers deliveries from £1.99 with a minimum spend of £15.
RBBC Final Recommendations for a new ‘Banstead & The Villages Parish Council’
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council meets on 26th March to vote on the final recommendations arising from the recent Community Governance Review (CGR). The final recommendation for our area is as follows:
Create a new parish of Banstead & The Villages, served by a Parish Council called Banstead & The Villages Council, with wards: Banstead Village West (2 councillors), Banstead Village East (3), Nork (4), Tadworth & Walton (4), Preston (2), Hooley & Netherne (2), Kingswood & Burgh Heath (2), Lower Kingswood & Mugswell (2), Tattenham Corner (3), Woodmansterne & Chipstead (3).
Tadworth and Walton will be a single ward in the new parish and will elect 4 parish councillors.
A map of the proposed new parish, with ward boundaries shown, is available here, and the full recommendation can be read on pages 27-33 in the document available here.
The TWRA submitted a detailed paper in response to both stages of the CGR and a number of the points it made are noted in the Council’s report and seem to have been taken into account. We will provide a further update when the vote has taken place, and will keep residents informed over coming months as to what is expected to happen, and when, in creating and setting up this new parish council.
Canon Farm Planning Application - a new estate in the Green Belt on our doorstep?
A planning application has been submitted for 130 new houses to be built on the open farmland between Kingswood and Burgh Heath, close to the A217. This is prime Green Belt land. It is suspected that this may be a precursor to further applications to build on more of the surrounding land if this application is granted, which would result in several hundred new houses, with no guarantees of any accompanying infrastructure such as shops, doctors, public transport, etc.
The planning application is number 26/00128/OUT on the Reigate & Banstead Planning Portal website and this link will take you straight to the application itself. For a quick overview of the location and the area planned to be built on, see this map where the area concerned is outlined in red. The deadline for submissions - comments from the public - is March 6th.
Our local MP, Rebecca Paul, has released a video made on the site with local residents. It can be viewed via Facebook, where Rebecca notes that: “This site is high grade agricultural land that is currently in productive use. It lies within the Green Belt and is designated as an Area of Great Landscape Value.
“Development of this scale in this location would erode village identity, remove high-quality farmland, and destroy beautiful countryside teeming with wildlife. Once green belt land is gone, it is gone.
“It is essential that residents’ voices are heard so please do submit your comments on the plans by visiting the Reigate & Banstead Borough Council planning portal.”
Tadworth Post Office hours change again
Any local residents checking the Post Office's website to check the opening hours of the Post Office in Tadworth at the new Tesco Express will see that it advertises the Post Office hours as being 8am-8pm. Do not be misled by this - it is not correct.
When, despite many local protests, One Stop removed the original dedicated PO counter, One Stop executives stated that the new retail counter would mean Post Office services would now be available at any time that the shop itself was open. The plan was to have a PO-trained staff rota that ensured there would always be someone available to transact PO services. This was, of course, an extension of service availability, but the Post Office’s website was correct - until now.
Since One Stop’s owners - Tesco - converted the One Stop to a Tesco Express, the Post Office service hours have in fact been reduced. The TWRA wrote to the company and was told by Tesco executives that Post Office service availability has been reduced to 9am-5pm weekdays and Saturday mornings only, and it is not even possible to buy stamps outside those hours.
Even worse, Tesco’s own website for its shop in Cross Road states that Post Office hours are the same as shop hours - 7am-10pm! We have written to them again asking them to ensure the information online, both on their own site and on the Post Office’s website, accurately reflects the actual availability of PO services.
‘Future Surrey’ website launched to update residents about Local Government Reorganisation progress
A new website has been launched to act as a hub for all information and updates about the progress of local government reorganisation in Surrey, which will see the 11 Borough and District Councils, and Surrey County Council itself, all disappear to be replaced by two new unitary authorities - East Surrey Council and West Surrey Council.
It can be found at www.surreylgrhub.gov.uk
Surrey Ass’n of Local Councils publishes report on Local Gov’t Reorganisation and the role of parishes
The SALC represents 83 Towns and Parish Councils across Surrey. It recently published a report on the impact of Local Government Reorganisation, including an offer to Surrey’s new unitary authorities to provide assistance in the transition from current authorities to the new unitaries. This is the biggest change in local government in a generation and there is a clear role for local councils to play in this change. The full report is available to read or download from the SALC website.
Planning Inquiry Report - Chequers Lane Travellers' Site
The recent Planning Inquiry into an appeal by the applicants for planning permission to build three travellers' pitches in a field on Chequers Lane, opposite the junction with Heath Drive, has now taken place.
On behalf of the TWRA, Gillian Hein attended the Inquiry proceedings every day, and has produced a report of these. The Inspector has indicated that his decision should be expected within weeks not months, but we do not know exactly when that decision will be available.
Gillian's report can be read here, although it does not cover the final closing arguments by the Council's and the appellant's barristers, as we expect these to be published online imminently. We will update this report if necessary when they are available.
New website for Walton on the Hill and District Local History Society
The Walton on the Hill and District Local History Society has recently launched a new website. The new format is much improved over the site it replaces. The site offers regularly updated news, a wide range of historic photos of the area and much more - well worth a visit for any local residents interested in what went on in our villages in the past and what they looked like.
TWRA Annual Membership Fees - Not Changing!
It was recently stated on another person's social media feed that the TWRA was going to double its annual membership subscription fee. That was entirely incorrect. It appears the person concerned mistook the TWRA for another residents' association. They have deleted the post in question and apologised.
We hope that in future the person concerned will check their 'facts' with the TWRA Committee before posting anything about the TWRA, as we are aware that many messages about the TWRA and its Committee posted on their site have been incorrect in the past.
To be clear, for the TWRA's annual membership subscription fee to change,it would require a vote at our AGM. At £5 per year, membership of the TWRA remains very affordable, and income from members' subscription fees is what enables us to undertake so many of the things we do. If you are not currently a member, please consider joining. You can do so via this site’s Membership page.
Update - TWRA Meetings about a new Parish Council
A leaflet is currently being distributed to as many Tadworth and Walton residents' homes as we can reach with our volunteers. It publicises the two TWRA meetings being held on 28 August and 4 September to discuss the possibility of a new parish council.
RBBC is consulting on this topic, following the Government's decision to abolish borough/district councils and create new, larger unitary authorities. RBBC will cease to exist after April 2027. The TWRA believes a new parish council could act as a voice to represent local residents once decisions about our area and the services provided are being taken further away from us.
The leaflet (which can also be read online here) outlines the rationale for creating new parish councils in more detail. Remember the dates:
28 August - 2pm-5pm - Lord Riddell Memorial Hall, Walton - a drop-in meeting. Come along any time to find out more and talk to TWRA Committee members, who will also advise about responding to RBBC's public consultation about this.
4 September - 7pm (meeting starts at 7.30pm prompt) - Lord Riddell Memorial Hall, Walton - an open public meeting with a panel of speakers, including representatives from RBBC.
Mere Pond: 5-year Plan - Update
In March, we posted a news item here, linking to a draft report by David Larner concerning the Mere Pond, which had been prepared in response to a 5-year plan for the pond prepared by RBBC (whose plan was included in full within the draft report).
As many will recall, the Mere Pond has suffered various problems in recent years e.g. low water levels, excessive weeds, and difficulties with fish. Keeping the pond in good health is essential for wildlife as well as to provide a local amenity. To this end, Reigate & Banstead Borough Council (RBBC), which is ultimately responsible for the pond, prepared a 5-year plan for its management.
Walton Village Forum has a Mere Pond Sub-committee, chaired by David Larner, who has recently become a TWRA Committee member. David's report incorporated RBBC’s 5-year plan and recommended enhancements to it. His report is available here to be downloaded or read online, and feedback is still welcome by e-mailing to: chair@twra.org.uk or info@waltonvillageforum.org.
RBBC has indicated that it will comment on David’s report, and he continues to actively monitor many aspects of the Mere Pond, keeping an eye on wildlife, and reporting monthly to RBBC, the Walton Village Forum, the TWRA, and the Environment Agency. We are all grateful for his dedication to this task.
- - -
NB: Many residents will have seen the current low water level this summer. As noted on the recently added Mere Pond page on this site, "Preventing drying-out is difficult, and it is also the case that some plant species prosper after drying-out. Even when water levels are low, it is not possible to top them up using mains water as that has been chlorinated and would impact wildlife - the pond must be allowed to fill naturally with rainwater from its catchment area."
Planning Inquiry for Chequers Lane Travellers' Site - New Dates Announced
The Public Inquiry dealing with the appeal against RBBC's decision to refuse planning permission for a travellers' site in Chequers Lane was postponed from June because of the appellant's barrister being ill.
It has now been rescheduled for the end of September. The Public Inquiry will open at 10am on 30th September at the Town Hall, Reigate. The inquiry is scheduled to sit for 5 days. This consists of 4 days (in person) in the first week and Wednesday 8th October will be virtual reserve day. Copies of documents connected with this appeal may be viewed at planning.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/online-applications/
Further information regarding the Inquiry, including Core Documents, any webcasting and the virtual reserve day, can be found on the Council’s website at reigate-banstead.gov.uk/public-inquiries.
Members of the public are able to attend and listen to the proceedings. It is up to the Inspector as to who may address the hearing - he will not be willing to hear the same views expressed repetitively, though. Although individuals may not all have the opportunity to address the hearing directly, a large attendance from local residents may serve to impress upon those hearing the Appeal that there is a large groundswell of opinion against this application. If there is a capacity issue at the Town Hall, the Council may be prepared to live-screen the proceedings in an adjacent room.
NB There is only disabled parking at the Town Hall itself. Others should park at the Bancroft Road car park, nearby.
The TWTW has asked us to remind residents to please water street trees throughout the summer months, especially recently planted trees. If you have one in the grass verge near your house, please keep it watered in the dry weather.
Sadly an incorrect comment was recently made on social media that a Tadworth & Walton Tree Warden allowed a newly planted street tree to die. That was not the case.
Although Tree Wardens do keep an eye on newly planted street trees with their quarterly maintenance checks, which include checking the ties, mulching and ensuring the tree squares around the trees are clear of vegetation to prevent strimmer damage, they simply do not have the resources to water every new tree in the grass verges along our roads.
The current tree planting scheme operated by Surrey County Council requires that residents who request a tree commit to watering it themselves in the early years. The Tree Wardens can help with watering, but only for trees where there are no houses nearby or where a resident reports that they are unable to water a tree themselves.
The tree referred to in the incorrect social media post was a tree that had been moved to a new location due to building works and, sadly, despite a few reminders to water it from the Tree Wardens, the chances for its survival were slim.
It is fantastic, though, that so many residents are supporting the scheme. If you are lucky enough to have a beautiful new street tree by your home please remember to give it two or three watering cans of water a week during the dry, hot weather. Your neighbours, as well as the Tree Wardens, will all be very grateful.
17 June 2025
Residents across Surrey are being urged to take part in a landmark Government consultation that will help determine the future shape of local government in the county.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has now officially launched its consultation on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Surrey. This marks the most significant change to local government in the county in over 50 years. Some residents have already provided their views informally as part of earlier surveys run by Reigate & Banstead and other district / borough councils.
However, now is your only opportunity to formally provide your views to the Government. In doing so you can make your views known about the size and geography of local councils you would like to see in the future.
The Government is consulting on two options:
Residents, businesses and local organisations can have their say between now and 5 August by visiting www.gov.uk/government/collections/surrey-local-government-reorganisation.
Reigate & Banstead also submitted a joint proposal with Crawley to the Government, suggesting it brings the two authorities together under local government reorganisation. However, the Government has advised that this will not form part of the consultation.
Leader of Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, Cllr Richard Biggs said: “We are disappointed that the Government will not be including our joint proposal with Crawley within the consultation.
“I am pleased that we took the opportunity to highlight to Government the important contribution that our combined area makes to the national economy, as well as its economic growth potential. While we accept the Government’s decision, we will continue to advocate for joined up economic and infrastructure planning and investment across both authorities.
“In terms of local government reorganisation, we are now focused on trying to secure the best available model of local government in Surrey – which we continue to strongly believe is three unitary councils.
“A three unitary model in Surrey will achieve the best balance of delivering value for money for our residents whilst maintaining strong local connections and identities and delivering high-quality service.
“Please take time to look at the two proposals and provide your views. We have provided some information on the LGR Hub to help you answer the Government’s questions should you want it.”
To find out more and get help responding, visit the LGR Hub at: www.surreylgrhub.org/
To take part in the official Government consultation directly: www.gov.uk/government/collections/surrey-local-government-reorganisation
Responses may be made on the department’s online platform ‘Citizen Space’ or alternatively by email to lgreorganisation@communities.gov.uk or in writing to LGR Consultation, Fry Building 2NE, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF.
Local Resident Moira Astin appointed Bishop of Crediton
Local resident Moira Astin - whose husband is Rev Tim Astin, vicar at The Church of the Good Shepherd in Tadworth - has served as the Archdeacon of Reigate in the Church of England since 2016.
It was recently announced that Moira had been nominated to be the next Bishop of Crediton, one of the suffragan bishops in the Diocese of Exeter. She will be consecrated in her new position on 3rd July, at St Paul's Cathedral. Moira's new role will see her serve the whole of Devon, with particular care for North Devon, Mid Devon and East Devon. More details here.
Congratulations to Moira on her appointment, from everyone at the TWRA.
Following the Government's decision to restructure local authorities, and Surrey's decision to be in the first wave of authorities to be restructured, 9th May saw three different proposals for reorganising local authorities in Surrey being submitted to central government, each of which would have a different impact in Reigate & Banstead, where the Borough Council would cease to exist and be replaced by a larger 'unitary' authority.
The TWRA has prepared a PDF document that outlines and summarises the main points from the three different proposals, and which also provides links to the full documents that were submitted to the government for each proposal. We have also outlined some of our concerns in this document. This document can be read online or downloaded via this link.
TWRA members who attended the AGM on 28th May would have seen a set of display boards with a high-level overview of the proposed changes. These displays have been converted to a PDF document which can be read or downloaded here.
Another New Defibrillator in Tadworth
The TWRA is delighted to announce that a new defibrillator has been successfully installed outside the Heathcote Medical Centre. The new device is situated on the external wall, adjacent to the recently established pedestrian access facing Heathcote (the road) itself.
We extend a huge thank you to all the local residents whose generous donations made this possible. Our sincere gratitude also goes to the Heathcote Medical Centre for its own contribution and for kindly agreeing to host the unit on its property. We are also grateful to Farm Fencing for providing the fittings, and local electrician Chris Churchill who will complete the wiring in the next few days. The defibrillator is battery-powered and currently charged, making it ready for immediate use, though we all hope it will never be needed.
Surrey Police asking for the public's help and opinions in tackling anti-social behaviour
Following recent police-issued dispersal orders in Surrey towns because of potential anti-social behaviour (ASB) and disorder from large groups of people, Surrey Police have said that reducing anti-social behaviour in Surrey is a "key focus" of theirs. They have launched an ASB survey to the public which asks residents of the county for their input on the current climate surrounding anti-social behaviour in their local area.
A spokesperson for Surrey Police said: "We know that ASB is not minor for those involved, and we recognise that it sometimes can be hard to know who to report a specific issue to. We recognise that all types of ASB can have a serious impact on individuals and communities, interfering with everyday life and damaging wellbeing. In order to reduce ASB and improve the support for victims of ASB in Surrey, it is important for the agencies that deal with different types of antisocial behaviour to understand the problems you face, the impact it has on you, and how we can do better."
The 2025 anti-social behaviour survey asks a number of questions. Some examples are; asking respondents whether they believe their area has gotten better or worse in relation to ASB in the last year, whether they have been a victim of ASB in the last year; and if they were satisfied with the police's response ASB incidents. Respondents will also be asked what specific types of ASB they believe are the biggest issues in their area, and if these issues are "predominately youth related".
You can take part in this Surrey Police ASB Survey by using the link here. The full story about recent dispersal orders can be read at Surrey Live.
Reigate & Banstead asks residents for input to local government reorganisation plans
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council has launched a survey to gain insights from local residents to help shape the future of local government.
From their press release:
"The proposed re-organisation will change the way that all council services are delivered in the future. We want your voice to help shape what happens next.
"The English Devolution White Paper set out the Government’s plans to simplify local government. Instead of some services (like education, adult and children’s social care and roads) run by Surrey County Council, and others (like bin collections, planning, and housing) run by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, councils will be combined into unitary authorities that will deliver all the services in your area.
"An Interim Plan was submitted to Government on 21 March on behalf of all 12 councils in Surrey, proposing the county is divided into two or three unitary councils. We are now asking for the views of residents to influence the next phase of the process, ahead of submitting the full proposal to Government by 9 May 2025.
"We are also working with Crawley Borough Council to explore options beyond the existing county boundary that could support the interests of our residents – particularly around maximising the economic growth potential of the already successful Gatwick Diamond economic area."
The full story, including statements from Cllr Richard Biggs, Leader of RBBC can be read here.
About the survey:
"Work is happening fast but it’s important that as your local council, we are able to reflect what matters to you.
"Help shape the future of your local services by responding to our Future of Your Council survey. It should take approximately 15 minutes to complete and will close at 12 noon on Monday 21st April 2025. You can skip questions that are not relevant to you.
"As a thank you for participating in the survey we’re offering you the chance to enter a prize draw to win one of three £50 Love2Shop vouchers.
"If you have any queries, or would like a copy of the survey in a different format, please email engagement@reigate-banstead.gov.uk or contact the customer contact centre by telephone on 01737 276 000 or via SMS if you are deaf or hard of hearing on 07834 626 468 (Monday - Friday between 10am and 4pm)."
Wider engagement across Surrey
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council is also supporting a broader engagement activity across Surrey. Everyone is encouraged to complete both surveys. Responses from both will help inform the proposals for Government. The Reigate & Banstead questions are more detailed and will allow us to collect more locally specific information.
The Shaping Surrey’s Future survey is open for comments until Sunday 20 April. (This is the same survey as reported below, being run by the Boroughs and Districts together.
Consultation on the future shape of Surrey - have your say!
The Government has announced that it intends to restructure local authorities. Right now, in Surrey, some services (such as education, adult and children’s social care and roads) are run by the County Council, while others (such as bin collections, planning, and housing) are run by your local Borough or District Council - Reigate & Banstead Borough Council in our case.
But the Government wants to simplify that system - combining councils into Unitary Authorities so that one council delivers all services in your area. Surrey County Council and the 11 Districts and Boroughs have developed a range of proposals - which involve splitting Surrey into 2 or 3 Unitary Authorities, and the disappearance of all Borough or District Councils. But all proposals must be submitted the Government by 9th May and the Districts and Boroughs want those plans to reflect what matters to you.
To facilitate this, Surrey's Districts and Boroughs have opened an online survey for all residents to be able to answer some key questions and express their views about the proposals.
The Boroughs' and DIstricts' detailed document describing the plans can be downloaded here, or from the survey page itself. However, this document (very surprisingly) seems not to provide maps showing the possible boundaries of either 2 or 3 new unitary authorities that may be created. This story from Surrey Live may be more helpful in this respect.
The survey can be accessed here. We urge all residents to read the proposals and respond to the survey. There will be an article in May's Tribune magazine (which should be through your letterbox some time in the first two weeks of May) providing more background on these changes.
Mere Pond - Five-year Plan - Draft for Comments
As many will recall, the Mere Pond has suffered with water levels in recent years. But this is not the only issue relating to keeping the pond in good health, not least for wildlife and as a local amenity.
The Walton Village Forum has a Mere Pond Sub-committee, chaired by David Larner, who has drafted a report to be submitted to Reigate & Banstead Borough Council who own the land and are ultimately responsible for the pond. This was prepared at the Council's request and it is hoped that the report will assist the Council in making decisions and providing funding that may be needed to ensure the continued good health of the pond. Unless maintained, the pond may suffer problems that go beyond the pond itself (e.g. impact on local drainage and wildlife in the area).
The draft report is available to be downloaded or read online and all feedback is welcomed. If you have any comments on this report, please email them to chair@twra.org.uk or info@waltonvillageforum.org and all feedback will be reviewed before the report is finalised and sent to RBBC for their consideration.
Councillor update - Shelvers Way flood alleviation
Surrey County Councillor and local MP Rebecca Paul provided the following update via Facebook, about her recent meeting with SCC officers and an SCC Cabinet Member:
"Earlier this week I had a meeting with multiple officers and a Cabinet Member to discuss the concerns raised by residents during last year’s public consultation on the planned improvements along Shelvers Way and the lack of progress. I explained in full the importance of the project improving drainage and alleviating flooding as much as possible, and residents' concerns about the proposed crossings. All feedback was taken positively by officers and they have agreed to look into what more can be done to ensure this project delivers maximum benefit to residents.
"You will also see that the Council are intensively clearing the drainage system and repairing it in order to ensure it’s operating to full capacity. There will be some disruption whilst they do this but we’ll reap the benefits of it when we have the next deluge.
"Please can everyone continue to report any instances of external or internal flooding. The more data they have, the better. And I will continue to update you on progress re. this critical project."
The statement was posted on Facebook for those who have accounts there and may wish to respond in the comments below Councillor Paul's message.
Surrey’s grass cutting programme kicks off early
Surrey County Council has issued the following update regarding this year's grass cutting programme.
"Surrey’s annual grass-cutting programme is set to begin next week, starting three weeks earlier than usual to stay ahead of the growing season. This ensures six cuts in urban areas and two in rural locations, keeping roads and pavements clear, reducing trip hazards, and maintaining good visibility for pedestrians and drivers. Plus, it helps enhance the overall appearance of our public spaces.
We’re investing an additional £1.5 million in grass cutting this year, have changed some of our contractors, and tripled our resources to deliver a more reliable and efficient service for residents. We understand that grass cutting and weed control have been areas of concern in previous years, and we are committed to making a positive change by ensuring a higher standard of maintenance across the county.
The first two cuts across all Surrey districts and boroughs will take place between February and April. The remaining cuts will continue through to October 2025. Designated 'blue heart' conservation sites will not be cut until the end of the growing season to support biodiversity. Additional maintenance, including hedge clearing, sign cleaning, and weed control, will be carried out alongside the grass cutting programme to improve Surrey’s highways."
For more details about Surrey’s grass-cutting programme visit: www.surreycc.gov.uk/grass-cutting. An interactive map is available to show when and where grass will be cut in each area, subject to weather conditions.
New Defibrillators in Tadworth
The TWRA is pleased to announce that as a result of a project run in conjunction with Felicity Hook from Central Surrey Community First Responders over the past several months, the TWRA has now arranged for three new defibrillators to be installed in Tadworth.
Combined with CPR, the speed of getting a defibrillator to someone who is suffering from a cardiac arrest is critical to the likelihood of their recovery. One does not have to be medically trained to use a defibrillator - the emergency services will talk you through it if you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to use one before an ambulance can arrive. Indeed, the machines themselves will talk you through what needs to be done. And using one before an ambulance can arrive may be very likely to save someone's life!
More details of this project will appear in an article planned for The Tribune in May, but in the meantime please note the new locations, where the defibrillators are already installed..
- On High Street, in front of Priory Veterinary Surgeons. It has 'what3words' location reference ///wipes.chairs.rating
- Off The Avenue near Tadworth Station, mounted on the exterior wall of St John The Evangelist Church and accessible from the church car park. It has 'what3words' location reference ///dogs.saves.neck
- On Shelvers Hill, mounted on the wall of Brightsmile Dental Care. Note this is at the Western end of Shelvers Way. It has 'what3words' location reference” ///count.latest.cook
At the same time, the Church of the Good Shepherd has also recently had one installed in its grounds. It has 'what3words' location reference” ///bake.ready.skinny
Some of you may be aware that there is one on the London-bound platform of Tadworth Station itself, but do not attempt to use this one as it is thought not to be currently operational. More details on the background to this in May's article.
The Countryside Code
As spring advances, more of us may be tempted out into the wonderful countryside that we are lucky to live in or near to. Please always adhere to the Countryside Code to ensure that it is safe and protected for others and does not force land owners and those managing our countryside to incur extra costs to maintain it.
Do you know what the different coloured arrows on wayposts mean? Read this leaflet to find out. More information on accessing and enjoying the countryside responsibly can be found at the Countryside Code's website.
Banstead Fire Station - A Reprieve
Since the announcement earlier this year that Banstead Fire Station would be closed and relocated to Godstone, there has been much concern within the community. Hundreds of residents raised their concerns through the public consultation, and local councillors and the Fire Brigades Union also sounded the alarm.
Surrey Fire & Rescue (SFRS) has now confirmed that it has agreed a one-year extension to the Banstead Fire Station lease to provide the additional time needed to perform an extensive review of potential sites for a new fire station in the Whyteleafe area.
If a potential site is found, a process will be initiated to explore the planning requirements and seek capital funding approval. However, they have also confirmed that if no suitable site can be found, the relocation of the engine and crew to Godstone Fire Station will take place as originally envisaged towards the end of 2026.
New Planning Application 24/01845, Lovelands, Chequers Lane
A new planning application has been made for a site on Chequers Lane, next to the site of the proposed travellers' caravan site.. It is for a large residential property on a site extends as far south as Love Lane.
The reference for the application on the Reigate and Banstead planning site, www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/online-applications is 24/01845 and the proposal is for: "The reconstruction of Lovelands Manor in its original form as a single dwelling with associated parking, cycle and bin storage."
The TWRA is opposed to this application because we believe it is an attempt to obtain planning permission which, if approved, will give an opportunity for further development along Chequers Lane. Our objections are similar to the reasons for opposing the traveller site including:
- Development in the Area of Great Landscape Value and the Green Belt
- The possible concerns about access from Chequers Lane
- Damage to the local ecology
- Loss of trees
However, this application also presupposes that the site should be regarded as previously developed land as there was a mansion, 'Lovelands', on its northern edge which burnt down in the 1960’s and was demolished sometime later. The applicant argues that having been previously built on, the land is suitable for development. The TWRA strongly disputes this claim by stating that the foundations of the former building have reverted to nature, that the remains have blended into the landscape and therefore do not meet the definition of previously developed land.
Should you wish to object you can do this via the Council’s planning site quoting the reference 24/01845. The TWRA will shortly be publishing a more detailed analysis of the proposal, which you may like to consider before you submit your response. We expect to have this available here on the website within the next few days. However, as with the objections to the travellers’ site, it is better to use your own words when sending your comments. The application details suggest that comments should be sent by 21 December but the Council is expected to be lenient regarding the timetable. Nevertheless, it is best to submit your comments earlier rather than later. Should you require further assistance please contact us via the website's Contact form.
Banstead Commons to License Professional Dog-walkers
Banstead Commons Conservators (BCC) have announced that professional dog-walkers will now need to be licensed if they wish to use the Commons for walking dogs. Other sites locally have recently taken this step and it has resulted in such activity being displaced to Banstead Commons with a noticeable effect on the Commons and increasing risk to its habitat and wildlife.
"From 1 April, 2025 licensed professional dog walkers will be required to sign up to a Licence Agreement giving reassurance that companies using Banstead Commons are doing so safely, they are insured, and wildlife and habitats are preserved."
"With the increasing volume of professional dog walkers, including displacement from other areas that have already implemented restrictions, it has become necessary to take the responsible step of licensing this activity. This scheme will help regulate the numbers of dogs being walked commercially on our sites and ensure that companies are operating safely and treating Banstead Commons, its users and wildlife with respect and consideration.”
The full BCC announcement and details of the licensing scheme are available here, on the BCC website.
IMPORTANT UPDATE - Government Planning Changes - TWRA Response
We recently posted a news item further below, noting that the Government had announced its new draft National Planning Policy Framework document, which contains many changes to the planning policies that have been in place to date; not least, changes to how development in the Green Belt will be managed, and dramatically increasing mandatory new housing targets for many local authorities, including Reigate & Banstead.
In Reigate & Banstead the projected target for new homes will increase from 644 new dwellings a year to 1,264, a 96% increase, and in Surrey as a whole by 63.2%. It is difficult to see how this target could be achieved without encroaching on valuable Green Belt land in the borough.
When publishing the new draft policy for consultation, a public questionnaire was made available on the Government's website, for individuals and organisations to respond to the proposed changes. This consultation on the NPPF revisions, many of which will have a profound impact on our borough and probably our immediate area, finishes on Tuesday 24th September.
(The consultation questions are embedded within a lot of surrounding explanatory notes, over several web pages - you may wish to skip past some of the introductory text to get to the first questions, but these do assume you have reviewed the relevant sections of the draft NPPF.)
This Government consultation is also your chance to personally express your own views about the proposed changes.
The TWRA has prepared a detailed response to the new NPPF, addressing all of the questions in the Government's consultation questionnaire. You can read/download the TWRA's full response here.
We have also prepared a short summary document outlining the key questions which individuals may wish to respond to. (There are over a hundred in the consultation questionnaire, not all of which have to be addressed by individuals - you can choose which questions to respond to.) You can read/download our short consultation summary here.
We encourage residents to read the new draft NPPF, but it is a wieldy document, so many may find it easier to review our detailed response as well as our summary document and then consider how to make individual responses to the consultation questions. But the new draft NPPF document is published with all of the Government's proposed changes flagged as 'tracked changes' (all deletions and additions are shown) so it is very easy to see what specific changes to current policy the new Government is actually proposing, when skimming through the document.
If you would like an editable (Microsoft Word) version of our detailed response to the NPPF consultation (some might perhaps wish to use and adapt some of our response text for their own responses) then please use our website Contact Form to let us know, and we will email a copy to you. Similarly, if you have any questions about our response, please contact us the same way.
Shelvers Way Improvement Scheme - TWRA Response
As reported previously (see news items further below), Surrey CC is proposing to implement an improvement scheme in Shelvers Way.
The TWRA has submitted its response to this, which can be read here. The TFlAG Tadworth FLood Action Group) response is also available to read via the news item further below this one.
Our comments and all those of others who have responded can be read at the consultation site here.
You have an opportunity to make your own comments on it by visiting the website set up by Surrey County Council via that link - we do not know when it will stop accepting comments.
The government has published its new National Policy Planning Framework document. Changes in planning rules were much trailed during the election and the public is now being consulted on the detailed proposals.
The TWRA has prepared an initial analysis and summary of some of the key changes described in this document that may affect us locally. These include new targets for house-building in Reigate & Banstead and new rules concerning development of Green Belt land.
Within the document linked to below, there is also a further link to the gov.uk website where the relevant government documents can be downloaded, and where the online consultation can be responded to.
The TWRA's initial assessment can be read or downloaded here. We encourage everyone to take the time to review this and please let us have your feedback, as we prepare the TWRA's response to the consultation.
The Tadworth Flood Action Group (TFlAG) has submitted a response to the consultation about the proposed Shelvers Way Improvement Scheme (see story further below).
Their detailed response makes a number of important points concerning the role different aspects of the Scheme may play in mitigating or exacerbating flooding, and asks a number of detailed questions.
Their response can be downloaded or read here.
Shelvers Way Improvement Scheme
Surrey County Council is planning to spend a significant amount of money to improve the lower end of Shelvers Way and its junctions with Epsom Lane South and Ashurst Road. The scheme is also intended to alleviate the surface water flooding which occurs there during periods of heavy rain. There has been some dialogue with the Tadworth Flood Action Group (TFlag) although not all the suggestions of that group have been taken into account in the scheme which is now available for public consultation. Details of the scheme proposals can be found here: https://shelverswayproject.commonplace.is/
The scheme involves a major change to the traffic priority at the junction of Shelvers Way and Ashurst Road with knock-on effects for Kingswood Road traffic density. It is important that residents likely to be impacted by these changes take the opportunity to make their views known.
Tadworth Post Office - an update
Further correspondence between the Chair of the TWRA and OneStop about their planned change in the Post Office format has yielded further information.
(For those not aware, OneStop intends to close the current PO counter and replace it with a standard retail till/counter, dedicated to PO business but also available for other shop transactions. They say that all PO services currently available will continue to be available, and for the extended hours that OneStop is open, rather than current PO hours.)
They were recently sent images of the regular build-up of parcels in front of the current counter and asked how this would work with a standard retail counter.
A OneStop executive has written to say:
"I can confirm that there are no plans to change any of the current services in our Tadworth store Post Office. Customers will also still benefit from the opening times of 8am until 8pm 7 days a week.
In regards to your query around the Post Office counter, to clarify there will be a dedicated counter. The only change will be its format and location, meaning it will no longer be presented as a fortress.
As part of the store’s property works, we will be installing a parcel cupboard and a parcel segregation unit for standard Royal Mail Post, giving the in-store Post Office more storage than they currently have. We also expect to see a change in customers posting habits with the new opening hours, meaning there will be less build-up of parcels.
Events pictured are usually rare, however you can be assured that we will review the operations of our parcel providers regularly to avoid situations like that happening regularly."
OneStop Post Office, Tadworth - change of format - the facts
Someone has stated on social media that there are rumours that the OneStop Post Office in Tadworth is closing down. This is not true. They also claim that the TWRA has known about it and did not tell the community.
Why didn’t we publicise this before?
One simple reason:
We were specifically asked by the current PO staff not to publicise it as they expected to be negotiating redundancy terms at some point and did not want to risk any untoward publicity having an impact on that. As they are the people most immediately affected by this change, of course we respected their wishes.
The facts:
OneStop (not the Post Office itself) is changing the format of the Post Office. It will be changing from a ‘Main’ format to a ‘Local’ format. (These are both well-established Post Office formats.)
When we first heard about this, the TWRA immediately wrote to The Post Office as well as OneStop to find out what was happening and what the impact would be. That is when both the Post Office as well as OneStop confirmed in writing that all services currently available at Tadworth will still be available after the change in format. They also noted that it would mean PO services would be available for extended opening hours rather than the shorter hours currently operated.
One Stop said: “These changes will ensure greater efficiencies at the branch, while continuing to meet evolving customer needs. There are no plans to change any of the services, and customers will benefit from extended opening times after the counter is relocated.”
Chequers Lane Caravan Site Planning Application - REFUSED
RBBC Planning Officers have issued their report on this application, today, 22nd April, and the recommendation is that it should be refused.
The Report is very comprehensive (25 pages long). It appears to address all of the issues raised by residents, and other organisations (with an interest in wildlife and the Green Belt) and by the TWRA’s planning specialists. It also considers certain other issues. It appears that the offices gave little weight to the “child in need” issue, as they had been given no further information on this (and it also seems that the potential occupants are currently living in ‘bricks and mortar’ accommodation).
The detailed reasons for refusal - of which there are 6 listed - start on page 22 of the document, which can be read here.
It should be noted that this is most likely the first step in a long process if the applicants choose to appeal this decision. But for the time being it does represent a victory for local residents, all of whose submissions were unanimously against permitting such development. Well done, everyone who submitted comments.
If you wish to be kept informed about future activity in connection with this application and are not already receiving email updates from the Chequers Lane Working Party, please email them at clwp@twra.org.uk and ask to be added to the email distribution list.
For anyone not already aware of the formation of a new charity - the Walton & Tadworth Preservation Society - it has been set up with the objective of raising funds to purchase parcels of land surrounding our villages in order to protect them permanently from any similar attempts at development.
Chequers Lane Update and New Charity To Be Formed
On 15 April a further public meeting was held by the Chequers Lane Working Party to update people as to the progress of the application and about the launch of a new local charity. The meeting was attended by around 200 people.
It was reported that the application had not yet been decided. It is anticipated that the Officers' report on the application would be completed within a week or so and the expectation was that the report would recommend its rejection.
The meeting was given an update about the objections submitted, including a number from other wildlife and similar bodies. An overview was provided as to what may happen next, and about issues and arguments that may be involved in an appeal.
The meeting was then updated as to the formation of a new charity - The Walton & Tadworth Preservation Society. Its application to register with the Charity Commission has been submitted and its trustees hope the charity will be formally registered by early May. We will provide further details once it is officially registered.
NB If you attended the meetings on 19 January or 15 April and gave us your email address and have heard nothing, please email the CLWP. Several addresses were simply not legible and have come back as undeliverable when emails are sent to them.
If you wish to be added to the CLWP email distribution list, just let us know by sending us an to clwp@twra.org.uk
Chequers Lane Planning Application - Copy of Presentation from Public Meeting, 29 January
The slides presented at the public meeting on 29th January can be viewed and downloaded from here.
If you wish to submit a comment to the Council regarding this application, this link will take you to the RBBC Planning portal.
If you wish to contact the Working Party concerning any aspect of this, please use our Contact form to do so.
Chequers Lane Planning Application - Copy of TWRA Submission to RBBC - 28 Jan 2024
The TWRA has submitted an objection to the planning application for a caravan site in Chequers Lane. It may take a few days to appear on the RBBC Planning portal but a copy of the submission can now be read here.
Chequers Lane Planning Application - Working Party Statement - 20 Jan 2024
The Working Party set up to prepare a response to submit to Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, regarding the Chequers Lane planning application for a caravan site, has issued a statement including some guidelines for submitting individual responses to RBBC.
The full statement is below and here is a link to a PDF version of it should you wish to print it off.
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Planning application 23/02680 Caravan Site for 3 residential pitches, Chequers Lane, Walton on the Hill
Residents of Walton on the Hill will be aware of the planning application for residential caravans and other facilities to be sited at Chequers Lane. This has aroused considerable concern within the village as shown by the large number of objections to the proposed development submitted to the planning department at Reigate and Banstead Council.
The TWRA, Walton Forum and Heath Drive RA have established a Working Party to respond to the application on behalf of the village community and assist those who want to make their own comments. To help residents understand the issues involved, the Working Party which met on 19 January, has issued the following advice which may be helpful for objectors when submitting objections. Don’t worry if you have already sent in your comments: you can continue to make further points until the consultation period ends on 5 February.
The Working Party considers the major issues are:
There are other issues you may wish to comment on depending on where you live and your particular circumstances.
Some final points when making your comments. Many residents will be worried about the implications of this application but it is important to concentrate on planning issues rather than your emotional reaction to the proposed development. It’s also helpful to express an objection in your own words rather than copy those of other objectors.