by admin | May 17, 2024 | Cranleigh, High Street
Cranleigh Civic Society was part of the consulation team
regarding the High Street development scheme – the scheme was developed by Surrey County Council to ensure Cranleigh gains some benefits from the tax money that developers have to pay. (S106, CIL etc).
So were a group of people able to explain how enhancements can be made to help those who find walking difficult and traffic overwhelming – SMART Cranleigh.
The scheme and its consultations were advertised on this web site and Surrey’s. Our strong opposition to several aspects of it were, at first, acknowledged and Surrey County Council declared that they would adjust the works accordingly. Since then some people in Cranleigh have lobbied SCC to spend more time and money on investigations and consultations too.
The latest news is that SCC have sent letters to residents explaining what they will and won’t do and what they may consider – and why:
Can all the aims be met?
make Cranleigh more attractive and inviting to enjoy – ideal for resting, socialisng and for outdoor events;
support the local economy by encouraging people to stay longer in the village centre and make full use of the shops, cafes and services;
tackle climate change;
support physical and mental wellbeing – by making it easier to walk, cycle and use public transport.
How would you suggest these 4 outcomes should and could be met?
For a couple of hours each end of every weekday hundreds of cars make their way across Cranleigh, and it takes an extra ten to twenty minutes to drive through. We presume this is due to the increased numbers of people living and working in Cranleigh, including increasing numbers of care workers for our aging population in their own homes.
Surrey County Council will no longer remove the mini roundabout at Village Way, or pedestrianise the Post Office slip road.
They won’t remove the bus laybys. More surveys are being done.
Fountain Square will be changed making it closed to traffic from Friday to Sunday and bank holidays. Access to Onslow Mews will be maintained at all times.
The will improve the Obelisk junction, including a new pedestrian crossing point.
Thye have a new working party that doesn’t include Cranleigh Society or SMART Cranleigh.
The group may include the following ideas:
flooding issues along the High Street
pavements more suitable for pedestrains
speed tables
Knowle Lane junction improvements.
So there you have it –
Matt Furniss is the person who has led the Placemaking team and you can email them at cranleighhighstreet@surreycc.gov.uk
or write to Placemaking team, Quadrant Court, 35 Guildford, Wodking, Surrey, GU22 7QQ. or call 03456 009 009.
Matt Furniss is the Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth
by admin | May 14, 2024 | Cranleigh, Cranleigh Neighbourhood Plan
Date released for CRANLEIGH NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN referendum – Thursday, 20th June 2024.
Please use your vote to say yes!
Cranleigh Neighbourhood Plan has now been updated and approved by the High Court.
Please note that the Neighbourhood Plan is entirely different from the proposed changes to Cranleigh High Street.
It is understandable that residents are disappointed that the initial Neighbourhood Plan referendum had to be cancelled, but it is so important that we all use our vote in the referendum on the 20th of June 2024. If adopted, it will be used by Waverley Borough Council to help them make decisions on planning applications.
The Neighbourhood Plan will:
- Provide 5 years protection against inappropriate speculative development in the area
- Increase developers contributions (Community Infrastructure Levy) from 15% to 25% to be spent on local projects
The Neighbourhood Plan includes policies on:
- Green spaces – protecting local designated green spaces which meet certain criteria from development
- Housing and Design – promotes high quality housing design which integrates well with its surroundings – accessible to those with disabilities, energy efficient, reduction of water consumption, reasonably sized gardens/ flats that have immediate access to outdoor space or balconies.
- Environment – protecting our natural environment by retaining the most versatile agricultural land – the natural environment should be preserved and enhanced using measures that include the use of wildlife corridors, planting and retaining hedges and trees, installing sensitive lighting schemes and safeguarding air and water quality
- Infrastructure – ensuring that the risk of flooding is minimised and that there is adequate water and sewerage infrastructure, that developments are well connected to Cranleigh using sustainable modes of transport
- Economy – offers protection against loss of commercial units, unless it can be proved that the current use is unviable, and supports diversification of farm buildings where appropriate.
To read the full version of the Cranleigh Neighbourhood Plan and for further information, please click here .
by admin | Mar 11, 2024 | Cranleigh, Cranleigh Leisure Centre, Cranleigh Neighbourhood Plan, Cranleigh Parish Council, High Street changes
Parish Council AGM – Thursday 7th March 2024
It was an interesting evening in Cranleigh Village Hall
Parish Council’s work
A few Parishioners turned out to listen to the report of the past year from Chairman Marc Scully. When looking at the list of projects and maintenance that the councillors considered and decided about it is no wonder they find it quite a tough job! It includes all planning applications in the area, being consulted with about all big projects such as the Surrey County Council’s High street improvements, Waverley Borough Council’s plans for Cranleigh Leisure Centre, and continuing work on Cranleigh Neighbourhood plan, and the LCWIP – local cycling and walking plans!
The King’s Coronation – Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie’s visit to Cranleigh
HM Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey Michael More-Molyneux
Mr More-Molyneux and his wife attended the meeting to represent the King because of the welcome Cranleigh gave royal visitors on the occasion of His Majesty the King’s coronation. Mr More-Molyneux took along a beautiful plaque to commemorate the Royal Visit of Prince Edward and his wife Duchess Sophie. The plaque is to be displayed publicly for all to see. He presented it to a member of the audience who received it on behalf of Cranleigh Community. It was rather a special moment. He has lived in the county of Surrey all his life. Loseley Park has been the residence of the More-Molyneux family for over five centuries.
Cranleigh Neighbourhood Plan – it’s a good thing
Neighbourhood plans are to empower locals to have a say in where housing can be built. Ewhurst recently voted for theirs. Part of the Parish Council’s work this last year is to bring Cranleigh Neighbourhood plan to Referendum status – achieved – but currently suspended by a legal challenge – the reason for which is not allowed to be published – the challenger must be protected. However it should be heard by the high court this month with any luck, then arrangements made to vote YES and adopt not long after. It is a good plan with only a few areas of Cranleigh to be built on, and many protections and enhancements. If and when building does occur at least the amount of CIL money (developer’s contributions) will be higher.
High Street plans are nothing to do with the Neighbourhood plan.
The connection with High Street plans is simply that developers’ contributions must be identified at planning permission stage – so as far back as 2017 in some cases. The Parish and Borough council asked for money to upgrade Cranleigh High Street and that money can only be spent on the agreed projects. There are further surveys being carried out including speed surveys along the High Street. You will notice cables fixed across the road.
Cranleigh Leisure Centre presentation by Architects and Waverley officers
Another project has been to work with Waverley Borough Council to bring about plans for Cranleigh Leisure centre to be replaced by an amazing Passivhaus pool with many studios and other rooms for various uses.
It has been a long time in the planning
So that the current leisure centre doesn’t close the councillors and officers decided on the plan to build the new one in the centre of the car park, and only take down the old one when the new one is up and running. The old one will then be taken away and car parking put in place. The sticky issue is this – parking! firstly during the build and secondly afterwards when the business plan states that many more people will be attracted to use the centre! Waverley urgently need sensible suggestions to answer this problem. But also hope many people will walk and cycle whatever the weather or time of year. The plans do not include squash courts or much viewing area for swimming. There is no provision for squash courts despite squash now being an Olympic sport, and a much smaller viewing area for swimming – both of which were challenged at the meeting.
The consultation is 15th and 16th March, and on line.
Cranleigh Village Hall 2pm till 7pm Friday and Cranleigh Leisure Centre 10am till 1pm on Saturday.
Have your say by 22nd March! web site – click here – www.waverley.gov.uk/clcnewbuild – email – consultation@dppukltd.com
by admin | Feb 22, 2024 | Cranleigh
Hi and thank you
to all who attended the Neighbourhood Plan meeting held in the Band room this evening. Councillor Elizabeth Townsend BEM explained what is in the Plan and how it will help to steer planning applications in the future – if voted for and adopted. The Plan requires Waverly BC to uphold the wishes of residents on many valuable issues. It was good to see several of the original volunteers on the Neighbourhood plan from 2013/14. Councillors Marc Scully and others attended as well. Many visitors had read the plan and had searching questions.
Cranleigh Society is here to listen, find out and represent our community –
please encourage people to look at our pages.
Unfortunately – the referendum of 29th February has been postponed
by a High Court order – apparently the reasons will be explained later
Let’s be patient and not speculate
Make sure you apply to vote – now that it is postponed you haven’t lost your chance.
by admin | Feb 6, 2024 | Cranleigh, Public Rights of Way
Surrey County Council looks after public rights of way – footpaths, cycle routes, horse trails etc.
They are looking at these and have produced a survey – let’s see how many of you respond? Please share as well.
To find out where our countryside rights of way are please go to Surrey County Council – website – look for ‘interactive map’ – click here
to find the layer showing Countryside – rights of way.
Do you use the rights of way?
There’s still time to have your say on Surrey’s rights of way network.
Surrey County Councillors and Officers are undertaking a new Rights of Way Improvement plan and want to hear your views and ideas on how they can improve the paths in your local area.
Maybe you use Surrey’s paths for enjoying and exploring, for travelling to work or school or for health and wellbeing.
Or maybe you don’t use the paths at all – take part in our public survey and tell us why.
Survey is open until 10 March.
If you have a problem with any public right of way/footpath/cycleway etc. click
here to report to Surrey CC.
by admin | Feb 5, 2024 | Cranleigh, Cranleigh Parish Council
Cranleigh Parish Councillors are seeking views on new footpaths proposed for Snoxhall Fields and park.
To complete the short survey please click
here The Parish Council has received the sum of £38,143 from developer contribution s106 funding for new footpaths at Snoxhall Fields.
The Parish Council would like your feedback on the proposed new footpaths:
- Linking North Downs to Hitherwood
- Linking the adult football pitch path to the Beryl Harvey Field and Knowle Park crossing point
- A footpath around the perimeter of the western football field linking the adult football pitch, Beryl Harvey Field and Knowle Park crossing point
- Tarmac overlay on the play park footpath and road markings for play
If all new footpaths are supported by members of the public, there will be a circular footpath around both sides of Snoxhall Fields for recreational walking all year round. Your responses will help the Parish Council to decide on the route of the new footpaths.
Please complete this survey by Thursday 29 February 2024
The tracks include completing the perimeter of the main field, and a full perimeter around the Football field, but not across it. Also to make up the playpark footpaths for better playtime.
