URGENT – We have now heard that the first of Surrey County Council’s Commons Consent applications has been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. This application applies for consent for the parking infrastructure at Newlands Corner. This is the start of the commercialisation of Newlands Corner!
Action needs to be taken now and we are in the process of putting together details on how you can object. We are also finalising plans to give the application much wider publicity. This will all be completed in the next few days and we will put full information on this website. Please encourage everyone you know to object!
The links below are to the various application documents.
Newlands Corner Proposed Location of Parking Meters
Additional Sheet to Application for Consent to Carry Out works on Common Land
Save Newlands Corner 
September 15, 2016 at 10:52 pm
It is incredibly short sighted that the government sees a site of natural beauty that should be shared freely as an opportunity for revenue generation. I’ve never visited a country that thought this was acceptable. And the thought of a cafe blocking the view is a concept that is just disgusting. On SO many levels.
Do NOT give in. Just another example of how bureaucrats think.
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September 15, 2016 at 11:36 pm
I doubt that parking charges will net any significant extra revenue for the following reasons:
1. The cost of installing and maintaining the meters & associated equipment.
2. The cost of employing parking wardens to enforce compliance
3. The cost of collecting coinage from the meters on a daily basis
4. The high risk of meter robbery from late afternoon into the night, given the isolated location of Newlands Corner (this might be mitigated by installing CCTV, but that would add to the costs covered in 1. above)
5. Primarily, the effect of introducing any charges, no matter how ‘reasonable’, can only reduce the number of visitors and therefore the anticipated revenue gain.
I am reluctantly prepared to accept the parking charge proposals, but strictly on one condition. The condition is that SCC do not use the anticipated receipt of parking revenues to justify building a new visitor centre, or some other imposing structure. Any such plan will ruin the appeal of a site that owes its beauty (free of charge) to nature, NOT SCC.
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September 16, 2016 at 12:00 am
We must do everything we possibly can to stop these greedy b******s from spoiling our beautiful beauty spot. Please let us have an idea of what grounds we stand most chance of succeeding with.
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September 16, 2016 at 6:04 am
Please leave Newlands Corner as a wonderful unspoilt area. Free to everyone.
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September 16, 2016 at 7:07 am
Having lived in this area for over 30 years and enjoyed Newlands Corner with my children and dogs I find it so sad to think that it will now be spoiled by a greedy council. They will unfortunately get their way and hate to be defeatist but I’ve seen it happen before, eg the Aldi store in Burpham being a prime example!
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September 16, 2016 at 7:22 am
Richard, I have every sympathy with your view, but would you trust them if they made the promise now? They have continually shifted the goalposts during the campaign in order to push these measures through and would be happy to do so again. By the way, have you noticed on the signs – parking charges will apply throughout the day (and night). So, no chance of dog walkers having an early morning walk, or families a late summer’s evening outing, for free.
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September 16, 2016 at 8:21 am
I do think the protection of the Hazel Dormice at Newlands Corner should be brought up ..
Following the recent People’s Trust for Endangered Species report : ‘The State of Britain’s Dormice’, which describes the rapid decline of the hazel dormouse in Britain and says that they are vulnerable to extinction.
Surely as animal lovers.. the threat to the Dormice would bring about more Publicity .. and more opposition to Surrey County Council’s plans .. ?
Well just a thought ..
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September 16, 2016 at 8:24 am
Don’t worry, the dormice will be in there pitching in our guidance.
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September 16, 2016 at 8:46 am
Newlands Corner is a beautiful place that families should be able to enjoy free of charge. As a child, I went there often to appreciate the open space, beautiful views and nature at its best. Our towns and villages are becoming increasingly congested, the majority of residential gardens are tiny, school exercise regimes are minimal and children need somewhere where they can take exercise outside instead of sitting sedentary at home with their electronics gadgets. It is very short-sighted of SCC to restrict access by aplying car parking charges and turning it into a commercial site. The amenities already provided are sufficient and suitable for its position in the heart of the Surrey Hills. Don’t spoil our countryside and, by applying charges, restrict usage by those families who would find the commercialism aspect unaffordable.
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September 16, 2016 at 10:39 am
When will Guildford Council realise that their job is to carry out the will of the residents of the Borough ?
The Surrey Ad should carry out a poll amongst their readership to establish how many people are dead set against this and the change.org petition, which should be signed by all.would offer further evidence If we can gather overwhelming support, surely we can severely weaken their case.
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September 16, 2016 at 3:03 pm
“They paved paradise and put up a parking lot….” Joni Mitchell said it all really. Will the council also be building a tree museum and charging us to see what a tree looks like after they’ve chopped them all down? The self-entitlement and greed of the bureaucrats of our day is astounding. They might be responsible for caring for the land but they don’t own the nature and wildlife that makes up the delicate ecosystem and they have a responsibility to protect it for future generations. My parents have lived in West Clandon for 40 years and it’s surrounded by beautiful green open spaces. In the last year the National Trust let Clandon Park burn down and now they want to turn Newlands Corner into a theme park. Guildford Council also want to build 400 homes in Ripley. I don’t know how much they’re being paid but they are determined to build all over Surrey’s green belt. I’m sure a few of them will get rich off it but for everyone else, the unspoilt peace and beauty of these places will be gone forever. It’s morally reprehensible that they can get away with it. NO NO NO. WE DON’T WANT IT AND WE PAY YOUR SALARIES WITH OUR TAX MONEY. Someone will find a way to suck all the oxygen out of the atmosphere soon and charge us all for it.
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September 16, 2016 at 5:45 pm
This is a disgrace! The council should be ashamed of themselves because this action proves they are not worthy to represent the people of the borough.
We should be promoting health for all and no amount of fancy language will convince me that this is a positive step.
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September 17, 2016 at 11:56 am
I would very much like to see the buget and forecast for this “improvement” to Newlands Corner. I’m not in favour of spoiling the view with a vistors’ centre. Like another commentator, I suspect he cost of mainteneace and enforcement will be high, but offset by credit card and phone payments(instead of cash) and reliance on fear of being caught not paying for some of the rest. If it doesn’t raise the required amount they will only increase the charges. No doubt there will be more “enforcement” at weekends when the area is more fully used. Motorists are still an easy target for revenue raising. The sad truth is the council needs every penny it can get as their income is constantly “reviewed” (cut!) by government, who in turn are trying to balance the country’s books.
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September 29, 2016 at 12:35 pm
Two Things:- with the recent increase in council tax (4%: inflation 2.4%), the councillors paid themselves in increase (nearly 10% I believe some employees not had increase for several years) from the “reviewed” budget.
The opening gambit in this proposal was that the councils budget was being “Sqeezed” and the cost of maintaining the car park etc was £140,000 ….er the proposals outlined spending several times more than this figure. Where has this money suddenly been conjured from? The argument is inconsistant and fraudulent. I for one will not be using Newlands Corner whilst this madness goes on.
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September 17, 2016 at 6:36 pm
Please do not do this to Newlands Corner. Many pensioners, children, families, singles … all walk there and yet not all would not be able to pay fees. This is a beautiful spot and we need people to feel free to walk and get exercise for their bodies and minds and paying for the privilege is elitist. Not everyone in Surrey is super rich, but everyone needs these green spaces. Please do not do it.
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September 20, 2016 at 9:48 am
the SCC application is wholly UNACCEPTABLE on all levels – this is a landmark beauty spot that stands in its own right – it doesn’t need any help from human beings – all it needs is some decent toilets – this is a flagrant denial of people’s open access to the countryside and potentially a breach of the Right to Roam?
I OPPOSE it on all levels – we don’t need any so call visitor centre – just another name for fleecing the public – as are the parking charges proposals.
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September 28, 2016 at 11:49 am
It is deplorable to even think of charging for the right to visit our local beauty spot which we have enjoyed all our lives. It is even more unthinkable to consider building a huge Restaurant on this site. We like Newlands Corner as it is. Please do not degrade it just to make money!!
Harold & Jackie Young
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September 30, 2016 at 8:04 pm
I think that it is disgraceful that the council are planning to charge thr way they at . As a helper for a duke of Edinburgh ‘s awed scheme we wAlkti Bentley copse and return tonewlads corner
We need to park overnight at newlamds corner please think of what we will do if chargeds arr introduce
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October 5, 2016 at 6:12 am
The meeting in Holy Trinity Church Hall sounded like a real fiasco. I am struggling to to find words to put my objections in a nutshell ! Who are these Surrey County County representatives putting forward the proposals? Mr. Goodman certainly does not sound a ‘very good man’ to be chairing the committee.
This is ‘God’s Country’ and it needs to be protected from these proposed intrusions. My husband died recently and he grew up in the Tillngbourne Valley he was always in his field of dreams whenever we visited .
I totally object to all proposals.
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October 6, 2016 at 6:29 pm
Has no one in SCC got any bloody common sense. Its countryside, we don’t want visitor centres, education facilities, SHOPS, another cafe., more development. They are basically destroying the reason people go there in the first place, to enjoy the beautiful Surrey countryside. I am totally opposed to the proposed new development.
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October 6, 2016 at 7:10 pm
Yes, that’s precisely the point! If central government cuts and/or local government level incompetence tempt SCC to milk Newlands Corner for revenue . . . I don’t like it, but good luck to you. But don’t wreck the place as well – that just adds insult to injury!
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October 18, 2016 at 2:22 pm
Please do not permit Newlands Corner to be SPOILT by allowing more buildings.It is a beautiful area as it is.It will no longer be a place you can park your car and and enjoy a walk in peace either with your family or dogs.Also if it is really necessary to charge for parking why not maybe a £1 a visit? PLEASE turn down this application.Beth.
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