Surrey County Council held a second drop-in session to view the play structure plans for Newlands Corner 24th February at Merrow Village Hall. More than 200 residents came along to view the plans for the ten play structures and to share their thoughts on the proposals with Surrey County Council/The Surrey Wildlife Trust. There was overwhelming opposition to Phase 1 proposals for parking charges and the ‘play trail’, with an estimated 85% of the visitors opposing play structures in the woodland.
It was good to see some of our local councillors in attendance, listening to the views of the Surrey residents. As with the drop-in session in Albury, many strong views were shared in opposition to the plans.
Campaigners and local residents have been pressuring SCC to hold public consultations on the desirability and nature of any changes to Newlands Corner. SCC appear unwilling to arrange such consultations but have announced a Public Meeting. (See SCC Public Meeting about Newlands Corner).
Save Newlands Corner 
February 28, 2016 at 8:05 am
Again another frustrating meeting, ..
Judging by the size of the plans of the Play Equipment / Apparatus and the number of them ..
It was more like a Sales pitch for Davies/White landscape Architects.. ?
Perhaps they should could call Newlands Corner – ‘ Play -Trail Hill ‘ ? ( IF they had their way )
The public overwhelmingly DO NOT want these contraptions littering Newlands Corner …
Newlands Corner in the Surrey Hills is named an Area of Outstanding NATURAL Beauty .
( There is ample room for the Davies/White designs to be put in the Treetops/Wild Wood centre in Stoke Park .. just 1.5 miles away from Newlands Corner… and just a walk away from the Spectrum Sports Centre )
Again Cllr was his usual Non committal self ..
Everything is : ‘ in planning, awaiting decisions , under discussion, under review.. awaiting the Dormouse Survey * etc, etc .. ‘
I’m looking forward to hearing what Mr Goodman, SCC, and SWT (and Davies White ? )
Have to say on March 9th at the Holy Trinity Church meeting ..
* according to Cllr Mike Goodman – the Dormouse Survey can’t take place until April/May when they come out of Hibernation and become more ‘ACTIVE’ ( shouldn’t they have protection while they Hibernate too ?)
As the Dormice are a Protected Species -under Law.( it is illegal to disturb, destroy/endanger Dormice Habitats )
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March 1, 2016 at 10:08 pm
To be fair, my impression is that Davies White are totally embarrassed by the criticism of their designs. This is the first time they have ever faced such opposition and my understanding is that they have questioned SCC on the whole concept of having play structures in this natural environment. You are quite right to say that Stoke Park is the place for these. As for the dormice, they’d better wake up quick. Mr Goodman has already said, in writing, that he intends to apply for planning permission this month. That said, there is a right-royal fight brewing between Guildford Borough Council and Surrey County Council as to who has the planning powers for Newlands Corner. Keep your head down.
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March 3, 2016 at 10:00 pm
What is the opinion of the duke of Northumberland on this issue as I think he owns the land .
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March 21, 2016 at 9:57 pm
I would like to know what the Duke of Northumberland thinks about the plans for Newlands Corner. I was also interested to see that Davies White have questioned SCC on the whole concept of having play structures in this natural environment. Does anyone know SCC’s reply to that query?
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