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News from Ockham Parish Council September 2023

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Wisley Action Group (WAG) together with Ockham Parish Council and the RHS are a Rule 6 party for the Taylor Wimpey Appeal against non determination of their application 22/P/01175 by Guildford Borough Council.  The Inquiry starts on Tuesday 26th September at 10 am at the Baptist Church in Millmead.  VAWNT (also a R6 party) will be sending out the details about the Inquiry. Please do attend if you can.  The Inspector is aware that there are in excess of 1400 objections but a crowd on the first day in particular, will help to reinforce the level of local opposition.

 

WAG, with the support of OPC and VAWNT, are fund raising to help pay for all the professional expert help required. Your donations are much appreciated and will help enormously. Account name: Wisley Airfield Action Group, sort code: 20 35 35, account number: 10574287 (or by cheque delivered to Helen Jefferies, Alms Heath Cottage). Very many thanks for all donations.

 

 

Please contact the Parish Clerk with enquiries

Mrs Alyson Blackwell  – email: clerk@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk

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News from Ockham Parish Council July 2023

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  • Great news! You will have heard that GBC Planning Committee refused application 22/P/01175 for Former Wisley Airfield when they met on Monday 10th This was in line with the GBC Planning Officer’s recommendation. However, as you know, the application now goes forward to Appeal in September 2023 (as Taylor Wimpey applied for an Appeal due to non determination some weeks ago).
  • To participate in the Appeal process, OPC together with WAG and RHS make up a Rule 6 party. VAWNT (Villages Against Wisley New Town), West & East Horsley Parish Councils and Send & Ripley Parish Councils will also participate as Rule 6 Parties.  There is a lot to do but we have a strong case and thanks to the many experts in planning, air quality, ecology and traffic, we are currently working on our detailed evidence.
  • If you are able to contribute to the WAG fighting fund, the details are as follows: ACCOUNT NAME: Wisley Action Group, SORT CODE: 20 35 35, ACCOUNT NO: 10574287
  • The National Highways work on M25J10/A3 continues and is proving to be very challenging for us all. If you experience any problems as a result of the roadworks – traffic queues, delays etc, please report these to info@nationalhighways.co.uk noting in the subject of your email that your complaint relates to M25J10A3 works. We want NH to know how very impactful their works are on the local community. You may have heard that there are very many more trees to be felled in September. We are investigating this to see if there is anything we can do to prevent this happening. NH have told us the trees are to come down for enhancement works.

 

  • It may not have rained much recently, but we are aware that local flooding is a huge problem after rainfall. Cllr Neish and Cllr Shepherdly are in the process of setting up a local Flood Forum. More information to come soon.

 

 

  • Following the May elections, we have 3 new ward councillors for Lovelace and Send. Cllr Pat Oven from Guildford Greenbelt Group has so far attended all our parish meetings and is taking an active interest in our area. Our grateful thanks to Pat.

 

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

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News from Ockham Parish Council June 2023

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  • We have pleasure in welcoming Councillor Becky Neish to Ockham Parish Council.

 

  • Wisley Action Group (WAG) together with Ockham Parish Council have been accepted as a Rule 6 party for the Taylor Wimpey Appeal (more on this below). This will ensure that we will see all the Appeal documents and information and will have an opportunity to participate productively in the Appeal process.

 

  • The Former Wisley Airfield is not a sustainable site and fails to meet planning law in multiple ways. Taylor Wimpey’s application 22/P/01175 for 1700+ homes on an area of natural greenspace (90% green), will have a negative impact on local ecology, local roads, flood risk, local services (schools, education, sewage provision).  Please write to the Planning Inspectorate:  salter@planninginspectorate.gov.uk using reference: APP/Y3615/W/23/3320175 advising of your objection to their proposal. Email vawnt.group@gmail.com if you would like some pointers for your objection letter.

VAWNT Meeting at East Horsley Village Hall – Thursday 15th June at 7 pm

Villages Against Wisley New Town will be updating the local community on the latest news regarding Former Wisley Airfield (FWA) in light of the Appeal Taylor Wimpey have put forward against non determination of application 22/P/01175 by Guildford Borough Council.  Please do attend if you can.

 

 

 

Please contact the Parish Clerk with enquiries

Mrs Alyson Blackwell  – email: clerk@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk

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News from Ockham Parish Council May 2023

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We enjoyed a fascinating presentation from Chris Campbell representing Surrey Amphibians and Reptiles Group at our Annual Parish Meeting on 16th Thank you Chris both for stepping in when our booked speaker cancelled due to ill health and also for generous sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm with us. We hope you might be persuaded to lead a walk (or two!) on Ockham Common this summer so we can all learn more about the myriad wildlife there.

Following the local elections earlier this month, we have three Guildford Borough Councillors for Send Ward and they all represent Guildford Greenbelt Group (GGG). They are Pat Oven, James Brooker and Jason Fenwick. We hope to meet them all soon at one of our Parish Council meetings.

We have pleasure in welcoming Councillor Chloe Shepherdly to Ockham Parish Council and look forward to working with her over the months to come.

Thank you for your objections to the recent additional documents GBC have uploaded to their planning portal regarding the Taylor Wimpey application for Former Wisley Airfield 22/P/01175.  If you would like any information on this application and / or The Hallam Land application for FWA 23/P/00417, please contact our clerk, Alyson.  VAWNT (Villages Against Wisley New Town) have sent out some notes on both applications which you might find helpful as you form your own objection letters.  The VAWNT email address is vawnt.group@gmail.com Please do object if you have not already done so.

Please continue to report any concerns with potholes, flooding, crumbling road surface, etc with SCC Highways direct: https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/roadworks-and-maintenance/report-a-highway-problem  If you experience any problems as a result of the A3/M25 National Highways roadworks – traffic queues, delays etc, please report these to info@nationalhighways.co.uk noting in the subject of your email that your complaint relates to M25J10A3 works.

Please be aware that if you have a ditch close to your home, you may be responsible for maintaining it. For details on riparian responsibility https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/roadworks-and-maintenance/report-a-highway-problem/drainage-and-flooding/living-next-to-a-watercourse-your-rights-and-responsibilities Maintenance of local ditches by those responsible does ease local flooding so please check the link above.  If you are experiencing issues with flooding of your property, please log them here: https://www9.surreycc.gov.uk/HighwayIssue/WhatIsTheIssue.aspx?Code=FBD

Please contact the Parish Clerk with enquiries

Mrs Alyson Blackwell  – email: clerk@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk

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News from Ockham Parish Council April 2023

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  • There is an application for construction of up to 70 houses in an area of land that abuts the Former Wisley Airfield, known as Hallam Land. The application number is 23/P/00417. The Parish Council are reading the documents and will revert via Ockham & Hatchford Residents Association mailing list with an update.
  • If you put in an objection to the Taylor Wimpey application for Former Wisley Airfield 22/P/01175, you will have received notification from GBC that there are some new documents about the application. With the support of VAWNT (Villages Against Wisley New Town), we are reading these documents now and as above, we will revert via OHRA mailing list soon. The deadline for response to GBC for both this consultation and the Hallam land is 7th May 2023.
  • The Coronation of King Charles III is coming up and together with OHRA and All Saints’ Church, the PC are arranging a village ‘litter pick’ 10 – 12, followed by a ‘bring your own picnic’ gathering at Ockham Cricket Club from 12 – 4 on Monday 8th May. Everyone welcome!

Please contact the Parish Clerk with enquiries

Mrs Alyson Blackwell  – email: clerk@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk

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News from Ockham Parish Council March 2023

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  • The Coronation of King Charles III will take place on 6th May and together with OHRA and All Saints’ Church, the PC are arranging a village ‘bring your own picnic’ gathering at Ockham Cricket Club on Monday 8th Everyone welcome and lots of fun for family and friends! We are hoping for a good weather day!

 

  • Ockham Parish Council are seeking two new Parish Councillors – Can you help please? The Parish Council meet 11 times a year to discuss all aspects of village life including planning applications. You don’t need any special qualifications, just an interest in our community and a willingness to get involved.  If you are interested in joining us then please contact our Clerk, Alyson on clerk@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk 

 

 

  • Thank you to all those who have objected to Taylor Wimpey’s proposal for Former Wisley Airfield (application no 22/P/01175). The PC and a representative from the Ockham Wildlife Group are in touch with West Surrey Badger Group as there are a large number of badger setts in and around FWA. All badgers are protected by the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and we are very keen to safeguard the local badgers. Do contact planningenquiries@guildford.gov.uk to object again to Taylor Wimpey’s application. Save our Badgers!

 

  • If you experience any problems at all as a result of the National Highways M25J10A3 works, please log them via info@nationalhighways.co.uk The more we highlight any issues and concerns, the more NH will have to hear us.

 

Please contact the Parish Clerk with enquiries

Mrs Alyson Blackwell  – email: clerk@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk

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News from Ockham Parish Council February 2023

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  • Ockham Parish Council are seeking two new Parish Councillors – Can you help please?The Parish Council meet 11 times a year (we don’t meet in August!) to discuss all aspects of village life including planning applications. You don’t need any special qualifications, just an interest in our community and a willingness to get involved.  If you are interested in joining us then please contact our Clerk, Alyson on clerk@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk 

 

  • Our third Vehicle Activated Speed Awareness sign has now been installed in Old Lane – it has been installed on the section of Old Lane heading towards the Black Swan pub from the A3 (adjacent to Hatchford End). We have planned to purchase a fourth VAS sign in our next financial year (commencing April 2023).

 

  • The M25J10/A3 works continue and we remain in regular communication with National Highways. If you have specific concerns, do let us know and also contact NH direct on m25j10@nationalhighways.co.uk

 

  • There are a number of ongoing issues with the local road network. Representatives from the Parish Council are meeting SCC Highways next month to drive them around the area pointing out all the many problems. If you want to flag a location so that we can include it on our driveabout, please let us know. In the meantime, please continue to log any concerns with potholes, flooding, crumbling road surface etc with SCC Highways direct: https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/roadworks-and-maintenance/report-a-highway-problem

 

  • We are delighted to let you know that we have installed another new village sign to mark our village. This one shows a Tyrrell racing car and is located on Long Reach.

 

  • The Coronation of King Charles III will take place in early May this year and the PC are liaising with OHRA and others to arrange a village gathering. More details to follow.

 

Please contact the Parish Clerk with enquiries

Mrs Alyson Blackwell  – email: clerk@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk

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Update from SCC Cabinet Member for Highways and Community Resilience on local highway issues

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Pleased to give an update from Surrey County Councils on local highway issues that have been reported by the Parish Council and Residents:

Ockham Road North

Ockham Road North was closed on Monday to facilitate the repair of potholes and clean-up of the road. This was completed by 4pm. A jetter will be returning later in the month to carry out further work.  There is a ditch along the road that needs work which us under the control of the Ministry for Food and Fisheries.  A letter has been sent to them informing them of the need for work on their ditch.

Guileshill

Highway officers are investigating the issues at Guileshill in order to determine what repairs are needed.

Old Lane

There was significant flooding by the pond which has been investigated and an obstruction in the inlet to the culvert under the road has been cleared.  This is a sunken lane in places and gets significant run off from the fields.  There are also a number of ditches in private ownership that need work.  Letters are being sent to the owners of the ditches informing them of the need for work on their ditches.

Long Reach

Work was carried out yesterday (Tuesday 31st Jan) to remove water on the carriageway to enable us to give measurements to our contractor for repairs that need to be made on the carriageway.  A gully in this area is blocked because it goes into a private ditch which needs work.  A letter has been sent to the landowner informing them of the need for work on their ditch.  The road remains closed for the time being while we get a resource in place to carry out the repairs to the carriageway

Blocked Drain defect or gully at the junction of Ockham Road North and Guileshill Lane near All Saints’ Church Ockham

Huge flood across the entrance to the road that leads up to All Saints’ Ockham Church. This comes after rain and then lingers long after the rain has gone – over several days. The gully is blocked.  Reference number: 2417685 Location: OCKHAM ROAD NORTH, OCKHAM Details: Blocked Drain – Other. SCC plan to clean this gully and other along Ockham road north on the 24 February 2023.

 

 

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News from Ockham Parish Council January 2023

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  • Flooding Issues The Parish Council have lodged multiple complaints with SCC Highways and SCC Cllr Colin Cross regarding flooding in Ockham and in particular along Long Reach and Ockham Road North where we have also expressed extreme frustration that NO ONE is working on site and that the traffic lights work intermittently. The lights have been there for over 6 weeks and nothing is happening. We will continue to push to reach resolution and have requested a meeting with SCC Highways about the terrible state of our local roads. We will keep you advised.
  • A Vehicle Activated Speed Awareness sign will go up in Old Lane some time in February. This will bring our current total of VAS signs in Ockham to three and we confirmed that a fourth VAS sign will be purchased in 2023/24 when we finalised our budget for the upcoming financial year at our parish council meeting on 10th
  • Can you help please? Ockham Parish Council are seeking two new Parish Councillors. The Parish Council meet 11 times a year (we don’t meet in August!) when we discuss all sorts of aspects of village life including planning applications. We carry out projects such as the recent work at the War Memorial and take an active interest in community life. If you are interested in joining us then please contact our Clerk, Alyson on clerk@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk
  • Everyone will be aware of the M25J10/A3 works currently being carried out by National Highways. We are in very regular communication with National Highways about a large number of issues that concern our community. These include a couple of Freedom of Information requests regarding the loss of the trees. If you have specific concerns about anything related to these works, do let us know or contact NH direct on m25j10@nationalhighways.co.uk
  • Please remember that there is no consent granted for any housing on any part of the FWA and if you have not yet objected to Taylor Wimpey’s application for housing on Former Wisley Airfield, it is not too late. The application number is 22/P/01175 and you will find full details of the application on the Guildford Borough Council website.

Please contact the Parish Clerk with enquiries

Mrs Alyson Blackwell – email: clerk@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk

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PARISH OF OCKHAM NOTICE OF VACANCY IN OFFICE OF PARISH COUNCILLOR

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Notice is hereby given pursuant to rule 5 of The Local Elections (Parishes and Communities) (England & Wales) Rules 2006, that consequent upon the resignation of Cllr Simon Waldman, a casual vacancy exists in the Office of Councillor for the said Parish.

No election can be held as a result of the six-month rule. The next scheduled elections for this Parish will be held on Thursday 4 May 2023. The vacancy may be filled by the Parish Council by co-option and the co-opted member will complete the remaining term in office.

Tom Horwood
Proper Officer

Dated: 5 January 2023