Surrey County Council have made an emergency road closure in Seale due to an oil spill. If any resident was a witness to the incident which occurred around 5:50 p.m. yesterday (19th September) and have any photos/dashcam footage the Damage to Council Property team would like to hear from you. They can be contacted by email on dcp.claims@surreycc.gov.uk
Farnborough Airport are seeking views from residents about their proposals to submit a planning application that amends their current allowances on aircraft movements (70,000/a), operating hours (7am - 9pm), number of weekend aircraft movements (18,900) and size of aircraft (55-80 tonnes), all of which are looking to be increased over the current allowances, some by more than double.
We hope that every resident has received their consultation flyer from the airport through their door but if not we have included it here. We are encouraging all residents to engage with this consultation.
If you have concerns / comments to make please send an email to contact@farnboroughairport2040.com and copy in our Surrey County Councillor Matt Furniss and us: clerk@saspc.info so we can guage resident opinion which we can use in our own correspondence with the airport, CAA and SCC. Alternatively you can telephone the airport consultation on 0808 164 606.
For any normal concerns / comments or complaints please continue to use the contact details show in our earlier post: How to make a complaint to Farnborough Airport. Emails to: complaints@farnboroughairport.com
The airport is holding drop-in consultation events as follows:
Farnborough College of Technology, Boundary Road, Farnborough GU14 6SB Wednesday 20th September 5:30-8:30pm
Farnham Maltings, Bridge Square, Farnham GU9 7QR Thursday 21st September 4-8pm
West End Centre, 48 Queens Road, Aldershot GU11 3JD Saturday 23rd September 10:30am-1:30pm
The Harlington, 236 Fleet Road, Fleet GU51 4BY Tuesday 26th September 4-8pm
Lakeside International Hotel, Wharf Road, Frimley Green GU16 6JR Thursday 28th September 4-8pm
Farnborough College of Technology, Boundary Road, Farnborough GU14 6SB Saturday 30th September 10am-3pm
All their exhibition materials will be available on their website from Wednesday 20th September, along with an online feedback form.
The first Airspace Change Proposal (ACP) instigated by Farnborough Airport (FAL) has been implemented for a few years now and the Post Implementation Review period is complete and the reports from FAL are currently being scrutinised by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Since the implementation we are all in a better position to judge the effects of the airspace change on the residents of Seale & Sands. Our perception of how it affects us will differ according to the wind direction since FAL use their runway differently depending on the prevailing wind.
For easterly wind they use runway 06 and aircraft depart to the East then turn and cross the Hogs back near Seale. Aircraft arriving will generally not overfly us as their approach is over the Church Crookham area.
For westerly wind they use runway 24 (it’s the same physical runway, just named differently). Here, the departing aircraft will overfly the Church Crookham area so will generally not bother us, however, arriving aircraft will as they use a similar corridor to those departing when using runway 06.
It is more likely departing aircraft will be more of a concern for us when the wind is easterly and using runway 06 and especially due to Performance Based Navigation flights (PBN). Part of government’s strategy was for fewer people to be overflown when adjusting airspace however we feel this is at the expense of the few — thankfully this strategy is changing. PBN flights means the aircraft will follow the exact same set of route co-ordinates when departing the airport and travelling through the airspace which results in every aircraft overflying the exact same location en route.
Aircraft arriving, when using runway 24, tend to use the whole width of the corridor which helps to disperse them away from the exact same flight path. More residents will be affected by arriving aircraft but less often due to the distribution across the corridor.
FAL have started a new ACP and have teamed up with Heathrow and Gatwick airport’s who are doing the same, all as part of government’s Airspace Modernisation Strategy. We see this as an opportunity to have our say; we are better informed now as we learned a lot through the previous process and having seen the effects after the implementation of the first ACP. To enable us to have a louder voice during the new ACP we are asking residents who are affected to make a complaint to FAL. These complaints are recorded and form part of an ongoing agreement (part of their planning approval) to report all complaints by area, which are scrutinised by FAL, Farnborough Airport Consultative Committee and Rushmoor Borough Council. Complaints will also face scrutiny by the CAA as FAL’s new ACP progresses, therefore it is important to complain if you feel it justified.
FAL have received thousands of complaints so don’t think you’ll be in the minority, mostly relating to noise, but you can complain about whatever you like regarding an aircraft using FAL, such as noise, flying to low, not within flight corridors, flying out of permitted hours etc.. Other issues you may wish to complain about are regularity of overflying the exact same location or the height at which they fly over an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), which by FAL’s own admission should be around 5000ft yet they barely make 3000ft when departing runway 06.
You can find out details about any aircraft using FAL by going online to WebTrak Farnborough Airport. Here, you can follow flights, albeit with a 30min delay and look at historical data. It shows the type of aircraft, number, altitude etc. and if you plot your property on their map it will tell you how far the aircraft is away from you. You can use this info to better inform yourself and FAL when you complain.
Much more info about FAL’s operations can be gained from the FACC website including all previous meetings, complaint reports, documents and more.
Complaints relating to Airport operations should be submitted:
By telephone: 01252 526001
By email: complaints@farnboroughairport.com
Online: WebTrak Farnborough Airport (emsbk.com)
By post: The Sustainability Manager, Farnborough Airport Ltd, Farnborough Airport, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6XA
*More information to come*
Will Godwin, Farm Manager at Hampton Estate will present their Puttenham Common Ecological Restoration Project at our meeting in July. This meeting will be at Seale Village Hall and starts at 19:30.
This is another opportunity for residents to understand what Hampton’s action plan and vision is for the Common.
In the meantime, they are hosting another community drop in event at the top car park on 8th July between 08:00 and 12:00.
Blighton Lane will be closed from the 5th September for 4 nights from 8:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. for Lining Works, there will be no parking along the road during this time.
The works are scheduled to start on 5th September however, this is subject to change change, often due to bad weather or problems on other works in the same programme which can have a knock-on effect. If anything changes with the details of these works, we will let you know.
Residents can also find up to date details of the works on www.surreycc.gov.uk/roadworks
Updated 23rd June.
You may view an updated PDF presentation here or read all the content of the document below.
Additional Community drop-in:
Saturday 8th July 8:00 – 12:00
Puttenham Common
PPuttenham Common is 180 hectares of priority habitats (a mosaic of lowland heathland, dry acid grassland, rush pasture, purple moor grass, fen, boggy mires, mixed deciduous woodland and wood pasture) which include parts of Puttenham and Crooksbury Commons SSSI (conditions are currently a mixture of unfavourable and favourable) and the Lower Puttenham Common and Halesmoor Wood Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI). The area is within a B-Line and we are a key delivery partner in the Heathlands Connections Nature Recovery Project (facilitated by Natural England). Heathland Connections is one of the national Nature Recovery Network Projects, connecting heathlands across the Surrey Hills.
The area is owned by the Hampton Estate, with an Access Agreement signed in 1968 between Hampton Estate and Surrey County Council, to facilitate public access across the Common. Surrey Wildlife Trust have also historically been involved in land management across the Common. The land is registered as Common Land. There are five car parks that are free of charge to the public, enabling access to the common. The North Downs Way long distance trail passes in a west – east direction along the northern edge of Puttenham Common. This trail runs 256km from Farnham to Dover. Puttenham Common provides access to nature for a large population. The site includes multiple walking and cycling trails and is a very popular location for dog walking. The site is also home to the remains of Hillbury Hillfort and Ancient Farm, a Scheduled Monument which we manage in partnership with Historic England.
Critical green space in one of the most populated areas in the country.
Ecological restoration at Puttenham Common
Hampton Estate, with the support of ecological consultants EPR, has developed a 100 year vision for Puttenham Common - to create a restored, biologically diverse heathland landscape with low-level rotational extensive grazing of a herd of traditional beef cattle, biologically-rich restored wetlands (with the aim of reducing wildfires across the Common), thriving heathland species, sustainably managed public access, an active volunteer group and nature- based community.
‘There is a very limited area of land in Great Britain that is suitable for the restoration of such habitats, as each requires certain geology, soil and hydrological conditions that are spatially very limited. In short, the area covered by this Management Plan represents a very uncommon opportunity to deliver substantial biodiversity enhancement.’ – Puttenham Common Management Plan 2022, EPR.
There is now a 10-year management plan in place to kick start the heathland restoration across Puttenham Common, supported in part by the recent Countryside Stewardship Offer (of January 2023).
There is a significant funding gap in the project and additional funding would enable the delivery of more nature restoration, improved climate resilience, better ecological monitoring, an improved visitor experience, increased access to nature and public engagement with the nature recovery project. Hampton Estate will be exploring options for novel financing of the project.
100 Year Vision :
‘The long-term vision for Lascombe/Little Common and Puttenham Common Main and Lower, is a restored, biologically diverse heathland landscape with low-level rotational extensive grazing of a herd of traditional beef cattle.’
Aim of the 10 year management plan
Restore, enhance and maintain lowland heathland (wet and dry), lowland dry acid grassland, wetland habitats, bogs and mires.
‘There is a very limited area of land in Great Britain that is suitable for the restoration of such habitats, as each requires certain geology, soil and hydrological conditions that are spatially very limited. In short, the area covered by this Management Plan represents a very uncommon opportunity to deliver substantial biodiversity enhancement.’
What are we actually going to do?
Tree and scrub cover removal
Reintroduce grazing (No Fence collars)
Bracken control
Create new wood pasture
Restore the boggy mires
Improve water quality
Preserve archaeological heritage of Hillbury Hillfort
Public engagement
Monitor ecological changes
Maximise the value of access for public health, wellbeing and enjoyment
Project outcomes
Healthier rare habitat - More species abundance and diversity - Better access to green space - Enhanced condition of the SSSI - Health benefits for an urban population
Bringing people with us - positive engagement - education and intrigue - a sense of stewardship
Potential conflicts : dog behaviour, neospora, tree felling.
Public Engagement Plan
Dog behaviour policy - Website and social media campaign - Press releases - Community drop-ins - Open Farm Sunday - Volunteer Group - Signage - Meet the cows drop-ins - BioBlitz
Community drop-ins:
Monday 5th June 1000 – 1600 Friday 9th June 0700 – 1300 Weds 21st June 0700 – 1300
Saturday 8th July 8:00 – 12:00
We want to move Puttenham Common from being a collection of dog-walkers to an engaged nature-loving community who enjoy and care for this special landscape .
Data monitoring and citizen science
Plants, fungi, butterflies, birds, reptiles, invertebrates, bats, pollinators, lichen and more!
Bioblitz planned for 2024
Visitor data, carbon sequestration, hydrological monitoring...
Contact for questions :
Molly Biddell mollybiddell@hamptonestate.co.uk
Please note some of our contact details have changed.
The Sands Room has kindly allowed the Parish Council to install a post box for our use, so we now have a new mailing address of:
Seale & Sands Parish Council c/o The Sands Room, The Green, The Sands, Farnham, GU10 1LL
This is for mailing only and we do not have a physical Council office. The Sands Room and its committee has no connection with the Parish Council.
Our new telephone number is 01252 279767.
If you call, you may be asked to leave a message and our Clerk will respond accordingly. Please bear in mind the Clerk is a part time role so your call may take several days to be returned.
We would be grateful if you can remove any previous numbers you may have for the Council as these are no longer used for Council business and only contact us via the new number or email clerk@saspc.info.
Due to changes in the Borough boundaries, our Ward of Pilgrim’s is now served by two councillors.
Matt Furniss and Sallie Barker were voted in as our new Guildford Borough Councillor’s, both Conservative, however the Liberal Democrats hold the majority for the Council.
Summary of results
Liberal Democrats: 25 councillors
Conservative Party: 10 councillors
Residents for Guildford and Villages: 7 councillors
Guildford Greenbelt Group: 3 councillors
Labour Party: 3 councillors
Turnout: 39%
You may recognise Matt Furniss’ name as he is also our Surrey County Councillor for Shalford Division.
After the election held on 4th May, we saw long standing Councillor Ian Brown voted in as Chairman due to Bill Nelson retiring from the PC.
Nicola Collett stood at the election and was elected as a new Councillor. At our first meeting of the new Council on 15th May she was voted in as Vice Chairman.
Councillor Mick Cover stood down at the end of this term and we’d like to thank him for his service and valuable knowledge of the village.
We also have a new clerk after Margaret Nelson retired and we would like to welcome Lesley Rixon into the role, however there will be a period of 2-3 months where Margaret will job share with Lesley to ensure a smooth hand over.
After the May AGM of the Parish Council we saw the retirement of our Chairman Bill Nelson after 28 years service and his wife Margaret who has served as Clerk for the last 22 years. Bill was elected Chairman at his first meeting and initially Margaret became clerk only temporarily to cover maternity leave.
Bill has given over so much of his time to the Parish Council, serving the community and has helped shape numerous initiatives benefiting the villages over the years, it is sad to see him go after such long service.
A presentation of an engraved glass award was made to Bill and a bouquet of flowers to Margaret, along with a garden centre voucher worth £385 , all from kind donations from residents. Many thanks to those who contributed to make these gifts possible.
Bill said, “After over 50 years combined service on the Parish Council, we want to thank everyone for their support over this time. We would also like to thank everyone for the very generous gift, which was such a surprise and very much appreciated.”
We wish both Bill and Margaret the very best in their retirement from the Parish Council.
From all the Parish Council.
Runfold Quarry Restoration
2 miles / 2pm
A short walk taking a public footpath route across restored areas of SUEZ's Runfold South Quarry
Meet at Quarry site entrance, opposite the Princess Royal pub, GU10 1NXNo booking required.
TOWN POLICE CLAUSES ACT 1847
GUILDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL
THE GREEN, THE SANDS KING’S CORONATION STREET PARTY
(TEMPORARY TRAFFIC REGULATION)
ORDER 2023
NOTICE is hereby given that whereas between the hours of 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. on Sunday 7th May 2023, the road listed in the Schedule below will be thronged or liable to obstruction during a Street Party, therefore Guildford Borough Council has made an Order under Section 21 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 for the purpose of preventing obstruction in that road and closing it to vehicular traffic between the above-mentioned hours on the day stated. Emergency access will be maintained at all times.
SCHEDULE
The Green, The Sands
School Hill, Seale
ALTERNATIVE ROUTE FOR VEHICULAR TRAFFIC AFFECTED BY THE ORDER
Binton Lane; Sands Road
Elstead Road;
Dated: 27th April 2023
Legal Services
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Milmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BB
Ref: 009255
Uncontested Parish Council - One vacancy still exists, can still be co-opted. Please contact the Clerk for further information.
Maintenance Team Retiring – After many years of keeping our Parish clean, tidy and respectable, Barrie and Pauline are stepping down from this role at the end of April. If you are recently retired this is an ideal position for you! The work entails looking after the Seale Pavilion, both play areas and other ancillary areas around the Parish. D-I-Y skills as well as general maintenance are required. If you are interested, please contact the Parish Council.
King Charles III Coronation will take place on Saturday, 6th May. It has been suggested that street parties are held on Sunday 7th May, as per the attached document.
Last year for the Queen’s Jubilee two street parties were held, one in Seale and one in The Sands; which seemed to be the preferred option.
Would you be willing to help organise these?
We will hold a ZOOM meeting next Monday, 27th February at 8 pm for anyone interested - click HERE for link.
We are now approaching the statutory consultation which will start on Tuesday 7th March. Many of you will be interested in reviewing the proposals being put forward and may well wish to respond to the consultation.
We would now like to invite you to a briefing webinar. The purpose of this briefing is to help you prepare for the upcoming consultation, with background project information, details of how you can respond, and details of engagement events throughout the consultation period.
Please note that we will not be sharing specific information relating to any proposed boundary changes on this webinar.
Four webinars are planned, running on different days and at different times in early March. Please click on the link next to the date and time of the webinar you would like to attend to book a place.
Click here to book for Wednesday, 1st March, 14.00 – 15.00
Click here to book for Thursday, 2nd March, 19.00 – 20.00
Guildford Borough Council has produced a Draft Green Belt Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and will be consulting on the document from midday Wednesday 22 February 2023 to midday Wednesday 22 March 2023 (inclusive).
This SPD provides detailed advice and guidance on Policy P2: Green Belt in the adopted Local Plan: Strategy and Sites 2015 - 2034 (2019)
The construction of new buildings is generally considered ‘inappropriate’ in the Green Belt. There are a number of exceptions to this listed in paragraphs 149 and 150 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) whereby development could constitute ‘not inappropriate’ development. Policy P2 in the adopted Local Plan: Strategy and Sites 2015 - 2034 (2019) provides further definitions for some of these exceptions.
The draft Green Belt SPD provides further guidance in relation to how these exceptions will be interpreted. It has been produced to ensure there is clarity and consistency on how planning applications will be determined when applying national and local Green Belt policy.
If you would like to comment on the draft SPD, please visit the consultation homepage at https://guildford.inconsult.uk/draftgreenbeltspd/consultationHome. Please use the ‘Online comments form’ to respond to the consultation.
Alternatively, you can let us know your views by emailing planningpolicy@guildford.gov.uk, or by writing to: Planning Policy, Guildford Borough Council, Millmead House, Millmead, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 4BB. Please ensure you make it clear which part of the SPD (page, section, paragraph) your comments refer to.
Printed copies of the SPD will be available to view at the Council office main reception at Millmead and in all Guildford borough libraries (during usual opening hours) throughout the consultation period.
Your comments will be published alongside your name, but your personal details, such as your email or postal address, will not. Please note that verbal or anonymous comments cannot be taken into consideration. We will also publish a final Consultation Statement identifying main issues raised and our response to these. The SPD will then be finalised and taken to Executive for adoption.
On 1st April 2023, Surrey County Council will take over responsibility for Environmental Maintenance (grass cutting, weed spraying and treatment of noxious weeds) across the whole of the County. Whist they already manage this in Elmbridge, Mole Valley and Tandridge, the other areas have historically been managed by Districts and Borough Councils to differing specifications.
By bringing the service back in house, a consistent approach (4 urban cuts, 2 rural cuts and 1 weed spray treatment per annum) across all areas will be achieved. SCC will ensure highway verge maintenance contributes to their greener futures objectives and provide a greater ability to support the national “blue campaign” to reduce cuts and increase biodiversity.
Finally, it will enable the service to promote innovation, actively trial and switch to alternatives to conventional weed spraying as technology develops.
On the 1st April Surrey County Council will take back control of Parking Enforcement from Guildford Borough Council. They are taking back control from all the boroughs and districts in Surrey.
SCC have a contractor NSL who will perform the following duties:
Parking Enforcement and day to day operations
Processing Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) and dealing with enquiries about them
Managing resident parking permits and dealing with enquiries about them
Arranging parking suspensions and waivers
Taking payments for PCNs, permits and other services
Operation of pay and display machines
Operation of traffic enforcement cameras
SCC will be the new contact for all parking related enquiries including enforcement action. We’ll publish this contact on our website when we have it.
We have been advised by our M.O.D. Security & Public Access contact that Hankley Common is due to close to the public for an extended period from 13th February to 10th April 2023. It may also be necessary for this period to be extended.
This is due to important military training.
Whilst the bridleways will remain open we have been asked if we can pass on that ideally voluntary restraint should be excercised by everyone and that the bridleways should not be used so as not to disturb the training.
The training area is only within Hankley Common and does not affect Elstead and Thursley Common areas as marked on the map below as S5 and S6.
