Save Newlands Corner

I sent the following to the Planning Inspectorate today:
“I object to these play area proposals for many reasons, which are summarised at the foot of this email.

However, I believe the core reason for the proposals is Surrey County Council’s (SCC’s) need to raise revenue, especially in the wake of central government cuts and the anticipated effects of Brexit. In these circumstances I would reluctantly accept parking charges, provided it stopped there. Unfortunately, SCC feels obliged to ‘offer’ its council tax payers play areas etc. in return for these new charges, to disguise what is, in reality, simply a new engine for generating more revenue. The inconvenient fact for SCC is that nobody wants these play areas, and that such facilities would, if successful, destroy the appeal of Newlands Corner.

The present situation is therefore farcically self-defeating – SCC proposes to charge its existing visitors for removing the very reason they visit Newlands Corner in the first place, meaning that visitor numbers reduce & little revenue would be produced – A complete ‘lose-lose’!

I therefore offer SCC a simple & irresistible solution – Impose parking charges if you must, but don’t build any play areas. I would begrudgingly accept the charges, and still have ‘my’ Newlands Corner to enjoy. That would be a ‘win-win’ for SCC – They’d get the benefits of parking charges & wouldn’t have to shell out for anything in return! All they’d have to do is be honest & simply admit they need the money.

As I indicated above, these are my other specific objections are:
1. The increasingly rare appeal of Newlands Corner is that it is natural & wild. It’s visitors neither need nor want to be patronised or ‘led by the nose’. Their children can learn about nature in the simplest, most authentic way – by walking, observing & experiencing. If they want noisy distractions instead . . . Thorpe Park is only a 20 minute drive away
2. Play areas already exist locally, and in the areas where people actually live. Nobody’s asked for them at Newlands Corner.
3. The existing all-ability trail is natural, quiet & suitable for the elderly, disabled & dementia sufferers. This would be despoiled.
4. You don’t mix concentrated groups of children with vulnerable & protected wildlife, such as dormice, bats & Roman snails.
5. You don’t rip up ancient mixed woodland, including ancient yew sites, to cover over with play areas that nobody wants.
6. Newlands Corner is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) & SCC’s duty is to conserve and enhance this beauty. Installing extensive artificial structures would destroy it.

In summary, Newlands Corner ain’t bust – Let SCC charge us if they must, but please stop them from trying to fix it! Please reject this application.

Yours respectfully . . . “

LikeLiked by 1 person

Me and my partner have been coming to newlands corner for years and love it the way it is

LikeLiked by 1 person

This area has been in my life for the past 48 years and very much enjoyed as a site of beauty, wildlife and walking… To add in numerous plastic climbing frames and the like is surely taking away all the natural feel of the place… Its for dog walkers, twitchers and hikers and a picnic area with stunning views. Very disappointed if this goes ahead… Still gobsmacked that they are looking to charge parking – ridiculous… An out of town area should be free… get the children enjoying nature and off their phones away from plastic… What’s wrong with people ?

LikeLiked by 1 person

Newlands Corner is acknowledged as an area of outstanding NATURAL beauty. Artificial trees, trails and tracks will not enhance this – leave it alone for people to enjoy in its natural beautiful condition.

LikeLiked by 1 person