Our group is supported and funded wholly by volunteers and donations from local residents who wish to save and enhance our precious green belt at New Pond Farm.

Funds raised whilst helping pay for running costs (such as website and insurance) will also fund specific projects on the site, and if necessary appropriate legal advice to respond to planning applications or other matters as they arise.

All accounts can be made available for inspection upon request.

WGSPG hold the following data on its members:

New Pond Farm together with Felland Copse is a place of peace and tranquillity, a much-loved place to walk and relax, and enjoy the wildlife and beauty of the countryside. The site provides an array of stunning views towards Reigate, Felland Copse and of course the spire at St John's Church.

The site today serves as a valuable community asset, in addition to being an important green corridor, linked with Earlswood Common, Felland Copse and Petridge Common. We aim to work with Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, other charitable organisations, and community groups to deliver projects that balance recreational use with enhancing the natural environment and bio-diversity of the site. Reigate and Banstead Borough Council's Green Infrastructure Strategy recognises the importance of green spaces, and that green spaces deliver many positive benefits for nature and local communities. Initial suggestions for the site include:

All projects are at the early stages of consideration, and require approval of the Council as the landowner.

At the end of 1992 under the code name 'Operation Yellowhammer' Reigate Area Conservation Volunteers (RACV) won the BBC 'Going for Green Award' for the hedgerow replacement at New Pond Farm. The hedgerows were replaced following extensive research of historical maps to establish where hedgerows had once been on the site. The name 'Yellowhammer' was used as a nod to the little yellow bird so characteristic of our hedgerows.

The mosaic of fields at New Pond Farm was previously managed under a Countryside Stewardship Scheme between 1993 to 2013. Under the Stewardship Scheme the site was managed as permanent grassland, increasing bio-diversity and improving the amenity value for the local community.

Reigate and Banstead BC Planning Committee voted to refuse this planning application as the proposed development would be inappropriate within the Green Belt, and harmful to its openness. Other harm would result by virtue of loss of land for open recreation and the loss of allotments. In addition, the proposed development by virtue of extent of development and associated habitat loss within the designated SNCI and BOA would have an unacceptable adverse impact. (see NEWS for full Reasons for Refusal).

THE CREMATORIUM PROPOSAL

• Site approximately 4.98ha of Green Belt land
• Single storey building of around 870 sqm
• Capacity for 2 cremators, and up to 3 chimneys
• Single chapel, 120-mourner crematorium with8 memorial garden
• Able to host 8 services per day
• Circa 500 vehicle trips per day during busiest periods
• Services offered between 1000 - 1600
• Gardens of remembrance open 365 days a year
• Access roads (encroaching on the allotments)
• Car park and access (impacting football pitches and sports use)
• Service yard and parking

WE SAY NO!

More information about the planning proposal can be found at: reigate-banstead.gov.uk/crematorium

SAVE NEW POND FARM

THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF DEVELOPMENT ON THIS SITE:
LOSS OF GREEN BELT

Creating this crematorium will result in removal of land from the green belt, once gone it is gone forever. This is green belt land that is used and enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

'Once Green Belts have been defined, local planning authorities should plan positively to enhance their beneficial use, such as looking for opportunities to provide access; to provide opportunities for outdoor sport and recreation; to retain and enhance landscapes, visual amenity and biodiversity; or to improve damaged and derelict land.'

'Inappropriate development is, by definition, harmful to the Green Belt and should not be approved except in very special circumstances.'

We say NO

LOSS OF, OR HARM TO NATURAL HABITAT AND BIODIVERSITY

This is a designated Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI) and the harm could be catastrophic to a large array of local wildlife. Such sites are specifically designated, according to strict criteria, because they perform a particular function, encouraging local bio-diversity and habitat protection. Extensive construction and loss of open space risks resulting in signifiant harm to the local wildlife, habitat and bio-diversity.

We say NO

HARM TO HEALTH/ENVIRONMENT

Cremations release greenhouse gases and other chemicals that may be present in the body, such as mercury, dioxins and furans.

Carbon Dioxide - '1,000 cremations per annum equals 150 tonnes per year of carbon this equals 1,229,508 car carbon kilometres annually. .' CDS Group.

It can take one to two hours to cremate a body, depending on weight or size and performance of the cremator.

There is an increasing awareness of the environmental impact of cremations, alternatives are emerging.

Exposure to potential harmful emissions and damage to long term impact on the environment -

We say NO

LOSS OF ACCESS, OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUTDOOR SPORT AND RECREATION

Grass roots sports play a key role in our communities. Playing sport is associated with positive quality of life benefits to all layers of society, and in some cases these benefits are higher for those from socially disadvantaged groups.

Loss of New Pond Farm football pitches.

We say NO

LOSS OF GREEN SPACE

There is increasingly compelling evidence showing that access to greenspaces really matters for our health.' - Public Health England, Improving Access to Greenspace - A new review for 2020.

We say NO

INCREASED TRAFFIC AND CONGESTION

Additional pressure on Woodhatch Road, nearby junctions and access to local schools.

We say NO

LOSS OF ALLOTMENTS

Allotments are permitted use of green belt, and are impacted by this development.

We say NO

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to protect New Pond Farm from development, ensuring it is retained for community use.

We will continue to promote use of the site as green space, for health, well being, education and community cohesion.

Woodhatch Green Spaces Preservation Group will work to secure long term protection of the site, and assurance that the site will be preserved as open space, allotments an football pitches for community use.

Save New Pond Farm!

We are pleased to announce that we are working together with Reigate and Banstead BC, Reigate Area Conservation Volunteers and Growing Health Together, to bring an orchard to the community of Woodhatch.

We have applied to Reigate and Banstead Borough Council for permission to plant the orchard on the green space at New Pond Farm, opposite Earlswood Lakes car park, and close to New Pond Farm allotments. Access can be also be gained via the paths from Felland Way and Lonesome Lane.

Our vision is for the Community Orchard to be easily accessible by all, that the orchard remains a Public Open Space, and open to all, and thus free for all to enjoy.

We are a local community group, formed by local volunteers, who all share a passion to protect and preserve local green spaces in Woodhatch. We work closely with the local council (Reigate and Banstead Borough Council), offer opportunities to volunteer, and deliver projects that aim to improve and enhance local green spaces for the enjoyment of the community.

Our constitution sets out the group's aims and objectives:

To protect and preserve for the benefit of the public the physical and natural environment of Woodhatch open spaces, sport and recreation areas, with a specific focus on New Pond Farm as a Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI) and within a Bio-Diversity Opportunity Area (BOA).

To promote and encourage use of the facilities as above for the health and well-being of the public.

To oppose inappropriate development where such development is in conflict with the above aims and objectives.

Volunteer litter picking

Beautiful countryside

Woodhatch Green

Walks

We work closely with Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, local conservation groups, other charities and community groups that share similar aims and objectives in order to protect and preserve the green spaces in Woodhatch.

Our constitution allows the raising of funds, and applying for grants where projects further the groups aims and objectives. We aim to deliver projects that will enhance and preserve green spaces in Woodhatch, and achieve a balance between preserving and enhancing the natural habitat and bio-diversity value, with recreational uses.

Puddles and Sunrise

Silver Linings

Summer Walks in Buttercups

Sunset over Lonesome Lane

Winter Wonderland

You too can help protect and preserve Woodhatch Green Spaces, support community projects and support conservation projects by joining. As a member you will receive a quarterly newsletter, updates on events and projects, and invitations to walks, talks and social events.

If you would like to join Woodhatch Green Spaces Preservation Group please get in touch (see Volunteering for further information).