PUBLIC DOMAIN Items: This Page is a news update with published extracts from the Local Papers (with permission). Accuracy is dependant on the items placed by residents but are usually verified.
May2020: The Local Neighbourhood Plan
The consultancy period is now closed (31 May 2020). HSRA will Email all when the next stage is announced or there is an update
The consultancy period is now closed (31 May 2020). HSRA will Email all when the next stage is announced or there is an update
May 2020: Water Pressure
As was the case last summer, the water pressure dropped in the late evening on 31 May 2020 across Haslemere South with some outage. There is concern, as there was last year, that more executive houses on Sturt Farm and especially Red Court would overload the Thames Water Blackdown Reservoir along with the supply infrastructure causing an over capacity issue.
Naturally the onus would be on Thames Water to resolve, but the housing type could be a cheaper and sustainable solution.
If the density of the housing close to the Station and retail outlets (High Street, Wey Hill etc) was enforced, the water demand would be less as the gardens would be smaller (if any), car washing lower and overall capacity maybe maintained at a lower infrastructure cost. Naturally with this repeated situation, this would have to be completed BE FORE any volume housing is initiated or the system will collapse and water would be via bottles at Tesco again. Saving the AONB to remain as grass increases the Aquifer fill rate and reduces the demand all in one step.
Flooding of course is the opposite issue but with the same double edge solution. By preserving the AONB at the top of the Hill will maintain the natural soak away into the aquifer and help to mitigate the flooding at the end of Scotland Lane, currently three times a year minimum. Again higher density dwellings close to the station helps this situation in many ways.
As was the case last summer, the water pressure dropped in the late evening on 31 May 2020 across Haslemere South with some outage. There is concern, as there was last year, that more executive houses on Sturt Farm and especially Red Court would overload the Thames Water Blackdown Reservoir along with the supply infrastructure causing an over capacity issue.
Naturally the onus would be on Thames Water to resolve, but the housing type could be a cheaper and sustainable solution.
If the density of the housing close to the Station and retail outlets (High Street, Wey Hill etc) was enforced, the water demand would be less as the gardens would be smaller (if any), car washing lower and overall capacity maybe maintained at a lower infrastructure cost. Naturally with this repeated situation, this would have to be completed BE FORE any volume housing is initiated or the system will collapse and water would be via bottles at Tesco again. Saving the AONB to remain as grass increases the Aquifer fill rate and reduces the demand all in one step.
Flooding of course is the opposite issue but with the same double edge solution. By preserving the AONB at the top of the Hill will maintain the natural soak away into the aquifer and help to mitigate the flooding at the end of Scotland Lane, currently three times a year minimum. Again higher density dwellings close to the station helps this situation in many ways.
30th Jan 2020
Deer Stockade :Haslemere Herald.
Deer Stockade :Haslemere Herald.
|
26 November 2019
The TPO issue was raised and Waverley Tree Department suggested that the Red Court was only normal "Woodland management". No protection required. Compare the images. 2017 before Red Court was sold and recent(2019) Mass fire pit in the centre of the woodland and gross path cut through the AONB to the East of the land area out to the lodge. Quite a few trees. |
|
29 October 2019
Juvenile deer killed on Midhurst Road early in the Morning. Poor thing was left all day.
Although this cannot be attributed directly to any work on the land, anyone who puts a long fence across the normal roaming land of a deer which traces from the hill straight to the main road is asking for a tragedy.
Juvenile deer killed on Midhurst Road early in the Morning. Poor thing was left all day.
Although this cannot be attributed directly to any work on the land, anyone who puts a long fence across the normal roaming land of a deer which traces from the hill straight to the main road is asking for a tragedy.
28 August 2019
Reports that a Drone was flying the fields around Scotlands Close interestingly viewing private gardens and their now restricted views along with the noted activity around the Lodge suggest Redwood is in cohorts with a commercial developer.
Reports that a Drone was flying the fields around Scotlands Close interestingly viewing private gardens and their now restricted views along with the noted activity around the Lodge suggest Redwood is in cohorts with a commercial developer.
8 July 2019: On 1st June and again 6th July Deer have been seen in the compound behind Scotlands Lane. This is plain cruelty.
Redwood have been informed by Letter.
Redwood have been informed by Letter.
13 June 2019: Redwood have made a series of unsubstantiated claims at a consultancy. The local paper has a set of statements refuting every claim.
See statements under Green Wash
See statements under Green Wash
1st June 2019: Sadly we have a Wildlife situation again.
Local Resident Quote: "The management of any AONB land should only be taken on by professionally qualified personnel who understand the interaction between each part of the diversity Eco System. The current low quality haphazard style simple damages specific sections and will ultimately lead to reduced biodiversity. Each part of the chain is essential. The disruption of the badgers runs at the entrance to Bell Vale Lane has already resulted in the no badger movement around Chiltern Close."
Local Resident Quote: "The management of any AONB land should only be taken on by professionally qualified personnel who understand the interaction between each part of the diversity Eco System. The current low quality haphazard style simple damages specific sections and will ultimately lead to reduced biodiversity. Each part of the chain is essential. The disruption of the badgers runs at the entrance to Bell Vale Lane has already resulted in the no badger movement around Chiltern Close."
1st June : NEWS on Consultation - The Email information was wrong so Email rejected. The Stand was undermanned for most of the Time at Haslewey. The complacency should mark this Consultancy as a sham (All Quotes from Twitter feed)
We will update as the outcome of the consultation is revealed. Please ensure you go to the How to Object page and register your objection by 31 May 2019
We will update as the outcome of the consultation is revealed. Please ensure you go to the How to Object page and register your objection by 31 May 2019
Full House at meeting
HSRA Next Gathering.
The last HSRA gathering Friday 17th May 2019 in Georgian Hotel Haslemere at 7:30pm - .
The last HSRA gathering Friday 17th May 2019 in Georgian Hotel Haslemere at 7:30pm - .
April 12 2019. 08:05
Sadly again report two deer were trapped, distressed by the recently installed fences along the south and west perimeters of Red Court. We took no images this time but this is the second incident of animal cruelty/distress is the same as the last on 20 March 2019, involving a single doe. We have lodged a complaint with the site owners and management and contacted the RSPCA and Rural Police. Hopefully appropriate action will be taken to ensure animal safety in our community.
Sadly again report two deer were trapped, distressed by the recently installed fences along the south and west perimeters of Red Court. We took no images this time but this is the second incident of animal cruelty/distress is the same as the last on 20 March 2019, involving a single doe. We have lodged a complaint with the site owners and management and contacted the RSPCA and Rural Police. Hopefully appropriate action will be taken to ensure animal safety in our community.
March 20th 07:28 Deer Stress
We do not like to show images of distressed or injured animals, but we need to highlight what happened on Wed 20th March 2019 to this deer as a result of recent ‘interventions’ on Red Court land. It is important that our local Councillors, residents, wildlife preservationists, environmentalists, nature lovers and people who hate cruelty to animals are aware that the new fence erected on the south and west of Scotlands Close is a potential killer for deer.
If any resident has appropriate suggestions or contacts to help us reverse this action and ensure that such future cruelty to animals does not occur, please contact the HSRA Committee on the web form CONTACT
The deer was found in a highly distressed, injured state, ensnared by this fence early this morning, where she had been struggling to get free for some time. With some effort, a HSRA member managed to successfully coerce her out of being ensnared and out of the fenced area. It was difficult to ascertain the extent of her injuries as she was so distressed she ran off every which way, bleeding. She ended up in Scotlands Close before disappearing. These images and the withheld associated video were taken with a long lens so not to stress the deer any further.
Horrors of the deer fence on AONB land. This is the outcome. All images verifiable with associated time stamped video.
|
Older news (pre April 2019)
|
|
|
19 March - Other signs
Whereas we do not want be political on any point, an interesting scenario has arisen where boards (not dissimilar to those put up by HSRA on Scotland Lane) are on display on a roadside near the Waverley Borough Council office. We do not want their local community’s objections removed or highlighted, simply to use them as a comparison. It appears that their signs are acceptable, but HSRA’s are not! Waverley Borough Council: where is your integrity and impartiality? |
|
And, small note. The Postbox reappears April 18.
Just in the correct location - outside the Lodge. Lets hope this one survives - it is being watched.
March 9th 2019 Boards
Our lovely "Save the Countryside boards" were forcefully removed through a Waverley Order as they posed a political threat to the amenities ( the general culture and environment) although we followed the Government "Outdoor advertisements and signs: a guide for advertisers"
Our lovely "Save the Countryside boards" were forcefully removed through a Waverley Order as they posed a political threat to the amenities ( the general culture and environment) although we followed the Government "Outdoor advertisements and signs: a guide for advertisers"
Local residents gathering for the removal.
Feb 2019: International Dark Sky Reserves
A dark sky provides excellent terrestrial views, unseen in urban areas and South Haslemere is lucky that anyone on the southern flank can enjoy this rare view, unadulterated by light pollution. The Moore's Reserve in the South Downs National Park is ranked 8th in the World and is not that far away. Urban sprawl introduces light pollution and heat haze from masonry and roof tiles wiping out the clear dark sky.
If under the proposed development, 200 houses or even 50 are added on this AGLV-Candidate AONB land (thus designated in order to ensure its protection for future generations) the resultant light pollution will simply swamp Haslemere’s precious terrestrial sights. Any local astronomer knows that the ability to image the Orion Nebula and Milky Way is possible solely because the dark sky creates a long exposure, impossible in an urban landscape.
The buffer zone must be retained, if we wish to allow our children to see the heavenly sights. Don't build on this southern buffer land - or another great feature will be lost. It will be there, but we won’t be able to see it anymore. Ever.
Have a read: Dark Sky in Sussex
A dark sky provides excellent terrestrial views, unseen in urban areas and South Haslemere is lucky that anyone on the southern flank can enjoy this rare view, unadulterated by light pollution. The Moore's Reserve in the South Downs National Park is ranked 8th in the World and is not that far away. Urban sprawl introduces light pollution and heat haze from masonry and roof tiles wiping out the clear dark sky.
If under the proposed development, 200 houses or even 50 are added on this AGLV-Candidate AONB land (thus designated in order to ensure its protection for future generations) the resultant light pollution will simply swamp Haslemere’s precious terrestrial sights. Any local astronomer knows that the ability to image the Orion Nebula and Milky Way is possible solely because the dark sky creates a long exposure, impossible in an urban landscape.
The buffer zone must be retained, if we wish to allow our children to see the heavenly sights. Don't build on this southern buffer land - or another great feature will be lost. It will be there, but we won’t be able to see it anymore. Ever.
Have a read: Dark Sky in Sussex
Feb 19: Wildlife Appeal: With the onset of (very early) spring, please start looking for wildlife appearing in the woodlands, wildlife habitats and green meadows that are DS-15. We have recorded owls, deer, woodpeckers, all manner of tits and pigeons, but the land Waverley call DS-15 is home to many protected bird and other wildlife species. Migratory and hibernating animals will start to appear with this warmer weather so keep watching.
Please submit any findings with exact location and your address. We will not publish any address but we must confirm all video, images and sounds are from DS-15 and the immediate vicinity, so try and catch a recognisable tree or some other identifiable feature in a photo.
Please submit any findings with exact location and your address. We will not publish any address but we must confirm all video, images and sounds are from DS-15 and the immediate vicinity, so try and catch a recognisable tree or some other identifiable feature in a photo.
Feb 19: Deer on the Road
At 05:50 am on Monday January 28, witnesses reported two deer bucked across the main road, driven down from the fields by the fence, as they cannot jump across the gardens as they used to. Although no pictures were possible given the available light and danger this would have posed on the Midhurst Road, this incident demonstrates that the new fences are dangerous, both to drivers and the deer, and should be taken down and replaced by conventional anti-deer tree tubes. How long before an accident results from this action on the Midhurst Road?
At 05:50 am on Monday January 28, witnesses reported two deer bucked across the main road, driven down from the fields by the fence, as they cannot jump across the gardens as they used to. Although no pictures were possible given the available light and danger this would have posed on the Midhurst Road, this incident demonstrates that the new fences are dangerous, both to drivers and the deer, and should be taken down and replaced by conventional anti-deer tree tubes. How long before an accident results from this action on the Midhurst Road?
Strange Fence and Gate:
Probably a reason, but a gate and more non-AONB standard fencing has appeared, this time opposite Bell Vale Lane. It may be a deer-toll to allow them onto the field.This land could not be part of the major building plan so would only ever be accessible if the rest of Haslemere green space is concrete - Don't believe the banter, it is all about profit, not green space, access to Blackdown or preserving 10sqm of grass.
Just self gratification and money.
Remember. If the top is concrete, the bottom floods as the natural soak-away is blocked off - it has already been surveyed and stated by Waverley commissioned consultants.
News Update from Christmas Gathering (summary)
From a letter received from Surrey Hills, which states that this development is "unsuitable”:
Extract from letter [Personal comments withheld]
"Whereas Scotland Lane currently forms a clearly defined boundary to the built up area of Haslemere, the proposed seemingly arbitrary and ill-defined southern boundary would not..."
... Protected landscapes should not be sacrificed to provide low density market housing that does not meet the need for smaller and more affordable housing. This is a further reason to support the unsuitability of this proposed housing allocation."
Many thanks to David C for this involvement
May 2018 Waverley web site statement (Valid March 1 2019)
Waverley has stated that all large scale planning is on hold in Wealden Heath II SPA area – This includes Red Court.
Extract from WBC Planning website
"Due to matters outside Waverley Borough Council’s control, there is likely to be a delay to the determination of any applications for new dwellings within 5km of any Special Protection Area (SPA). This is a result of a recent European Court of Justice ruling (Case C 323/17 - People Over Wind and Sweetman 2018) relating to the Habitats Directive. As such, the council is currently in the process of reviewing its decision making processes in respect of new dwellings within the Buffer Zones of the Wealden Heaths and Thames Basin Heaths SPAs. The council is currently awaiting further legal advice on this matter and is liaising closely with Natural England to ensure that future decisions made by the council in these areas are lawful and to avoid the possibility of legal challenge."
Dec 2018: The disappearing Post Box on Scotlands Lane
The Royal Mail have decided to reinstate this much loved Post Box
See Letter
Probably a reason, but a gate and more non-AONB standard fencing has appeared, this time opposite Bell Vale Lane. It may be a deer-toll to allow them onto the field.This land could not be part of the major building plan so would only ever be accessible if the rest of Haslemere green space is concrete - Don't believe the banter, it is all about profit, not green space, access to Blackdown or preserving 10sqm of grass.
Just self gratification and money.
Remember. If the top is concrete, the bottom floods as the natural soak-away is blocked off - it has already been surveyed and stated by Waverley commissioned consultants.
News Update from Christmas Gathering (summary)
- It is understood that Redwood started the planning proposal but pulled out at the last minute.
- Redwood violated planning with their fencing
- Research on alternative sites to meet the Local Plan needs
- Next Steps
- Communications update.
From a letter received from Surrey Hills, which states that this development is "unsuitable”:
Extract from letter [Personal comments withheld]
"Whereas Scotland Lane currently forms a clearly defined boundary to the built up area of Haslemere, the proposed seemingly arbitrary and ill-defined southern boundary would not..."
... Protected landscapes should not be sacrificed to provide low density market housing that does not meet the need for smaller and more affordable housing. This is a further reason to support the unsuitability of this proposed housing allocation."
Many thanks to David C for this involvement
May 2018 Waverley web site statement (Valid March 1 2019)
Waverley has stated that all large scale planning is on hold in Wealden Heath II SPA area – This includes Red Court.
Extract from WBC Planning website
"Due to matters outside Waverley Borough Council’s control, there is likely to be a delay to the determination of any applications for new dwellings within 5km of any Special Protection Area (SPA). This is a result of a recent European Court of Justice ruling (Case C 323/17 - People Over Wind and Sweetman 2018) relating to the Habitats Directive. As such, the council is currently in the process of reviewing its decision making processes in respect of new dwellings within the Buffer Zones of the Wealden Heaths and Thames Basin Heaths SPAs. The council is currently awaiting further legal advice on this matter and is liaising closely with Natural England to ensure that future decisions made by the council in these areas are lawful and to avoid the possibility of legal challenge."
Dec 2018: The disappearing Post Box on Scotlands Lane
The Royal Mail have decided to reinstate this much loved Post Box
See Letter