News from OPC July 2026

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The Public Inquiry for the Land East of Alms Heath.

• The group who carried out unauthorised development on the land east of Alms Heath have

appealed against GBC’s decision to refuse planning for application 25/P/01459. The appeal

will be determined on the basis of a Public Inquiry scheduled to open at 10.00 am on 29th

September 2026 with 4 sitting days currently scheduled (29 – 30 September and 1-2 October)

Two additional days have been held in reserve should they be necessary. OPC have submitted

a representation to this process and will attend as an interested party where it is hoped that we

will be given an opportunity to make a statement to the Planning Inspector. Residents may wish

to do the same. The inquiry will be held in the Council Chamber at Guildford Borough Council,

Millmead House, Millmead, Guildford GU2 4BB.

Eight Parishes Group

• The Eight Parishes Group usually meet twice each year, a forum where member parishes

discuss cross parish concerns and shared interests. Following the latest meeting, a letter is

being prepared to send to Surrey County Council, Guildford Borough Council and the newly

formed West Surrey Council to register concerns that relate to the cumulative impact of

development and the pressure put on transport systems as well as the constraints of other

infrastructure.

Accompanied Walks

• A sincere thank you to The Surrey Wildlife Trust, Chris Campbell and Frances Porter for

organising and accompanying the most enjoyable evening walks to see local wildlife on Ockham

Common. The walks were very popular and well attended.

OPC Good Housekeeping

• Recently, the OPC adopted two new documents concerning Standing Orders and Financial

Regulations. Relevant documents are available on the OPC website.

Clerk to The Council

• Alyson Blackwell has offered her resignation as Clerk to Ockham Parish Council. OPC are now

seeking a new part time clerk and if anyone is interested in this role, please contact Alyson via

email.

If you have any queries please contact:

clerk@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk

News from OPC – June 2026

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  1. Community Safety – Your Reports Matter

Please report any Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) or suspicious activity to Surrey Police, or anonymously via Crimestoppers. ASB includes obstruction of the highway, noise pollution, and vehicle trespass on protected areas such as the Thames Basin Heath Special Protection Area (SPA). You can report via the Surrey Police website, 101 (non-emergency), 999 (emergency), or Crimestoppers (anonymous). Anything you share with Crimestoppers is passed directly to Surrey Police, so please do keep reporting—your information really does make a difference.

  1. Annual Audit Completed

The annual internal audit for the 2025/26 financial year is now complete, with details to follow on the Parish Council website shortly. Our thanks to Parish Clerk Alyson and Councillor Peter Bevan for their hard work throughout the process.

  1. Vehicle Activated Sign Back in Operation

The Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS) on Ockham Lane is fully operational again, following a temporary battery failure. Thank you for your patience while we sorted it out.

  1. Former Wisley Airfield Development – Road Works Update

Councillor Simon Waldman recently met Surrey County Council’s Principal Transport Development Planning Officer, Richard Cooper, to discuss the local road works tied to the approved Taylor Wimpey development at the Former Wisley Airfield site. These works will involve some significant changes around Ockham Lane, Alms Heath, Ockham Road North and Long Reach. They are part of the development’s planning conditions and are expected to begin in late 2026, continuing through 2027. We’ll request a residents’ presentation so everyone can be fully informed about the works and their local impact.

  1. Ockham Park Roundabout and A3 Junction Safety

Please continue to report any concerns about the safe operation of Ockham Park Roundabout and the junction of Old Lane and the southbound A3 slip road from the M25. If you’ve experienced or witnessed a potential safety issue, contact National Highways directly at m25j10@nationalhighways.co.uk. They’ve advised that they’re reviewing operational impacts as part of ongoing monitoring, and resident feedback may help inform that work.

For any enquiries, please contact our Parish Clerk at clerk@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk

News from OPC – May 2026

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Matthew Cornwell from Surrey Wildlife Trust gave a fascinating presentation

on Ockham and Wisley Commons at our Annual Parish Meeting. Our very

grateful thanks to him. Matthew has kindly offered to provide a group of

Ockham residents with a tour of the new green bridge across the A3 when it

opens. We will share details via OHRA once we have a date.

Surrey Wildlife Trust offers many opportunities to get involved locally,

including volunteering, guided walks and outdoor experiences. For more

information, click here

• The results of the local government elections held on 7 May have been

announced, and Catherine Young and David Evans are the two elected

representatives for our area, the Horsleys Ward, on the new West Surrey

Council. Catherine and David will formally take up their roles on 1 April 2027

and will serve as shadow councillors for WSC until then.

• Several residents have raised concerns regarding the safe functioning of the

Ockham Park roundabout and the junction of Old Lane with the southbound

A3 slip road from the M25. If you have noticed or experienced a possible

safety issue worth flagging please contact National Highways direct. They

have advised that they are reviewing operational impacts as part of their

ongoing monitoring, so resident feedback could help inform this work. The

email address is: m25j10@nationalhighways.co.uk

• A reminder to continue reporting potholes on local roads to Surrey County

Council using this link.

Please contact our Parish Clerk with enquiries: clerk@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk

News from OPC – April 2026

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There are several important dates coming up as follows:

National Day of Action 10 am on Friday 17th April.  Ockham Community Coffee group will be planting a small Ockham grown tree in the car park at All Saints’ Ockham as part of the National Day of Action.  Please come along and join us to support this national campaign to help protect nature, and preserve green spaces and the countryside.  Many thanks to Clare Bevan for providing the tree and to Lady Griffiths for allowing Ockham Community Coffee to plant the tree on her land. Coffee will follow at All Saints’ immediately after the tree is planted at 10 am.

National Highways information event.  Thursday 29th April. Time tbc.Representatives from National Highways will be hosting an information event about their plans for traffic mitigation in Ripley.  This is an opportunity to ask questions and understand the plans proposed. We understand that the proposal is not for the average speed cameras that Ripley Parish Council feel would be the most sensible approach to the significant amount of traffic that flows through their village.

Local Elections. Thursday 7th May.  Make your voice heard by voting in the local elections. West Surrey Councillor elections will take place on 7th May 2026, with the new Councillors operating in “shadow” form until they formally assume powers in April 2027. For more information about the elections click here.

OPC Annual General Meeting:  Tuesday 12th May at 8pm at All Saints’ Ockham. We will be joined by a guest speaker from Surrey Wildlife Trust, who will talk about the management of common land. Do come along — enjoy a glass of wine, chat with councillors, and hear from Matthew Cornwell. It promises to be a very enjoyable evening.

Please contact our Parish Clerk with enquiries: clerk@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk

News from OPC – March 2026

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We are pleased to welcome Euan Harkness as our new Parish Councillor, and look forward to working with him in serving the community.

The Memorial Garden works are now complete. Cutting back the tree canopy has opened up the site and, combined with new hedging, will help encourage greater biodiversity. Many thanks to SCC Councillor Dennis Booth for arranging the grant that made this possible.

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The pavement works near the War Memorial will, all being well, begin next month. The pavement on Ockham Lane, which currently stops abruptly as you approach the Memorial, will be extended for safer pedestrian use — again, thanks to Councillor Booth for facilitating this.

In other good news, Old Lane will be resurfaced from the Black Swan to Elm Lane during 2026/27, following completion of the National Highways work. Thanks to Frances Porter and Dennis for their persistence in keeping this on the SCC works schedule.

Finally, please note in your diary: our Annual General Meeting is on Tuesday 12th May at 8pm. We will be joined by a guest speaker from Surrey Wildlife Trust, who will talk about the management of common land. Do come along — enjoy a glass of wine, chat with councillors, and hear from Matthew Cornwell. It promises to be a very enjoyable evening.

We wish you all a very happy Easter.
Please contact our Parish Clerk with enquiries: clerk@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk

 

News from OPC – March 2026

/in News /by Clerk

We are pleased to welcome Euan Harkness as our new Parish Councillor, and look forward to working with him in serving the community.

The Memorial Garden works are now complete. Cutting back the tree canopy has opened up the site and, combined with new hedging, will help encourage greater biodiversity. Many thanks to SCC Councillor Dennis Booth for arranging the grant that made this possible.

The pavement works near the War Memorial will, all being well, begin next month. The pavement on Ockham Lane, which currently stops abruptly as you approach the Memorial, will be extended for safer pedestrian use — again, thanks to Councillor Booth for facilitating this.

In other good news, Old Lane will be resurfaced from the Black Swan to Elm Lane during 2026/27, following completion of the National Highways work. Thanks to Frances Porter and Dennis for their persistence in keeping this on the SCC works schedule.

Finally, please note in your diary: our Annual General Meeting is on Tuesday 12th May at 8pm. We will be joined by a guest speaker from Surrey Wildlife Trust, who will talk about the management of common land. Do come along — enjoy a glass of wine, chat with councillors, and hear from Matthew Cornwell. It promises to be a very enjoyable evening.

We wish you all a very happy Easter.

Please contact our Parish Clerk with enquiries: clerk@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk

Notice of Ockham Parish Councillor vacancy

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News from OPC – February 2026

/in News /by Clerk

Update re Surrey Local Government Changes

As you know, Surrey is moving from the current two-tier system (county council plus 11 district/borough councils) to two new unitary authorities. From April 2027, Ockham will fall into West Surrey Council who will take over responsibility for all local services, including planning, waste, highways, and social care.  West Surrey Councillor elections will take place in May 2026, with the new Councillors operating in “shadow” form until they formally assume powers in April 2027. Further information to follow as we receive it.

Thank You, Cllr Chloe Shepherdly

Our sincere thanks to Councillor Chloe Shepherdly for her contribution to OPC in recent years.

Following her resignation, we will shortly begin the process of seeking a new parish councillor.

Flood Forum – Friday 6th March

The next Eastern Villages Flood Forum will be held on Friday 6th March.

We have identified several problem areas in Ockham to raise with local authorities. If you have any locations of concern, please let us know: imogen.jamieson@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk

Memorial Garden Works

Tree work has been completed and new hedging in the Memorial Garden is underway and should be completed within the next couple of weeks. We hope that the work will enhance biodiversity on this site.  Our grateful thanks to SCC Cllr Dennis Booth for arranging the grant that has made this work possible.

OPC AGM – 12th May

The OPC AGM will take place on 12th May (venue to be confirmed). A guest speaker will attend, and all residents are warmly invited to attend. Please hold the date — more details to follow.

Ockham Community Coffee Tree Planting – 17th April

As part of the Community Planning Alliance National Day of Action, Ockham Community Coffee group hope to plant a tree at All Saints’ Ockham on Friday 17th April. Please note the date if you would like to support this national campaign to help protect nature, and preserve green spaces and the countryside.

Please contact our Parish Clerk with enquiries: clerk@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk

News from OPC – January 2026

/in News /by Clerk
  1. Good News: Ockham Lane Pavement Extension

We are pleased to report that the pavement along the south side of Ockham Lane by the War Memorial is to be extended. This will significantly improve pedestrian safety. Our thanks to SCC Booth for his support in making this happen. The work is expected to be carried out within the next few months.

  1. Alms Heath – Enforcement Notice Appeal Update

There is now a second appeal against the GBC Enforcement Notice relating to the Alms Heath site. We are currently preparing a response, which we will share via OHRA. Residents may also wish to submit their own representations to the Planning Inspectorate.  Deadline for submissions: 2nd February

Further information will be circulated via OHRA in the coming days.

  1. Brick Kiln Planning Application

A planning application has been pending for several months relating to a site at Brick Kiln – right in the heart of the Green Belt.

  • Application reference: 25/P/00914
  • Proposal: Change of use of a building from agricultural use to commercial vehicle repair (Use Class B2), with associated parking (retrospective)

There are numerous strong planning grounds for objection, given the significant harm this proposal could cause. We have contacted the planning officer to ask when the application may be determined and are awaiting a response. Further objections may assist GBC in fully recognising the impact of this proposal. We have provided more information by OHRA.

  1. Reporting Crime – Keeping Our Community Safe

At the recent Safer Communities public meeting held at East Horsley Village Hall, hosted by GBC Councillor Catherine Young, Blaine Rafferty, Police Commander for GBC, emphasised the importance of reporting all crime, including suspicious activity.

Reports can be made via: Surrey Police website, 101 (non-emergency), 999 (emergency). Anonymous reports can be made through Crimestoppers . These are passed directly to Surrey Police.
Please do report crime—your information really does matter.

  1. The 8 Parishes Group

OPC participates in the newly re-formed 8 Parishes Group, which meets three times a year to share information, cooperate, and collaborate on matters of common interest. If there is anything you would like us to raise at these meetings, please contact us via the Parish Clerk.

Please contact our Parish Clerk with enquiries: clerk@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk

News from OPC December 2025

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Traveller Site Application at Alms Heath – Parish Council Objection:

We have formally objected to the application for the field off Alms Heath (25/P/01459).

If you are concerned about this application and wish to add your voice, please submit your objection directly to Guildford Borough Council before Christmas. The more voices that are heard, the stronger our case will be.  If you would like to see the OPC objection, please look out for it circulated by OHRA, contact us via our clerk or check the GBC Planning Portal. If you are writing an objection, please keep it focused on planning matters, and use your own words to explain using planning policy to support the points if you can.

Naming Strategy for FWA

Taylor Wimpey have held two recent meetings, open to all, to discuss the naming strategy for the Former Wisley Airfield. We are keen to see inclusive and meaningful discussion about this and the Minutes from the meeting of 26th November together with a map showing street names for the first settlement, Stratford End, were shared via OHRA last week.  There is ongoing discussion with Taylor Wimpey about whether part of the site should be called Upper Ockham, and we will get back to you on this soon.  Do look out for dates of further meetings shared by Taylor Wimpey via OHRA.

Community Safety Forum – 8th January 2026

Looking ahead to the new year, we are pleased to announce that a Community Safety Forum will be taking place from 7 to 9 pm on Thursday 8th January at East Horsley Village Hall. This is an important opportunity for local residents to discuss concerns, share ideas and hear from GBC. Our thanks to GBC Cllr Catherine Young for arranging this event.

GBC Emergency Out-of-Office Contact Request

We have requested an emergency out-of-office contact from Guildford Borough Council for situations that require immediate attention outside standard office hours. Unfortunately, we are still waiting for a response. We continue to push for a clearer process.

As 2025 draws to a close, the PC thank residents for their support and messages of appreciation for work we have carried out this year.  There is always plenty going on behind the scenes be it related to planning matters, road safety, flooding matters, the process of transfer to a unitary authority, safeguarding our local ecology and more.  The PC value your contributions and input and wish to thank our Clerk for her help and involvement and SCC Cllr Dennis Booth and GBC Cllr Pat Oven for their ongoing support.  Many thanks also to Frances Porter, Chair of OHRA, who gives tirelessly to the community to ensure that everyone receives regular communications about local events.

We wish everyone a very happy festive holiday and all the best for 2026.

Please contact our Parish Clerk with enquiries: clerk@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk