Friends of Newlands Corner
Introduction
At a meeting with Surrey County Council (SCC) on 19 April 2016, the Save Newlands Corner Campaign Group (SaveNC) agreed to put forward alternative arrangements for the management of Newlands Corner. SaveNC believes that the site could be managed on the basis of a ‘Friends of Newlands Corner’ model in a much more cost-effective way than is currently the case. The ‘Friends’ concept would also retain the wild and open nature of the site and avoid the commercial proposals put forward by SCC.
SCC said ‘we remain open to discuss any thoughts or proposals you may have’. SaveNC welcome this opportunity to submit our outline ideas for an alternative way forward and the reasoning behind them.
At the time of the meeting, critical information about vehicle figures and maintenance costs was still awaited. Much of that has information has recently been provided, but further clarification is being sought.
This report is, therefore, correct to the best of our knowledge. It was completed in a short time frame and we acknowledge that much more work needs to be done to firm up on the proposals.
Click here to read the full proposal.
Save Newlands Corner 
May 9, 2016 at 3:34 pm
I would like to have had the public access rights clearly stated so that there was no doubt in any ones mind what they are and some mention of the restrictions regarding the whole of the common and the areas which are covered by the agreement [NPACA1949] and by s193 LPA1925. also more emphasis on the fact there is no reason why SCC should need to even have the agreement as legislation has now made the agreement surplus to requirements and any benefit to the public no longer applies as such use is covered by other legislation. There is no penalty for SCC in walking away from the access agreement
It is also true that the vehicle access on to the site [registered common without the benefit of SoS consent for use as a car park is on the bridleway and the access constitutes a crossing of the North Downs Way [BW147] Footpath557 and Byway517. No survey of the non motorised rights of way use has been made. It is also considered that the massive take for the play structures is contrary to government guidance and is a change of use.
In any consideration of the play trails it should be as part of the whole scheme and not a stand alone issue.
SCC and the management contractors SWT have already fenced off the access from BW246a [pilgrims Way] which runs on the common
LikeLike
May 9, 2016 at 4:36 pm
Bob
I need to look at everything you have said in more detail. However, on the point towards the end that you make about the whole scheme needs to be considered, I have approached the Planning Inspectorate about this and they say that it is up to the applicant what they apply for (in terms of development on common land) – i.e. they can apply for the whole project or an individual aspect of it. So, we need to be in a position of challenging not only the whole thing, but the components of it.
John
LikeLike