Woodhatch Green Spaces Preservation Group is a campaign group set up by residents and supporters of New Pond Farm to ensure New Pond Farm is not developed upon but preserved for future generations to enjoy an active and healthy lifestyle and connect with nature.
The group exists because Reigate and Banstead Borough Council has submitted a planning application to develop the site. Reigate and Banstead BC propose to build a crematorium, with associated access road, car parking and landscaping on the site, primarily as an investment opportunity. (see Planning page for more details on the crematorium proposal and details of other projects in the area)
If planning is approved this will result in loss of allotment plots at two historical allotment sites (New Pond Farm and The Paddocks), potential loss of 2 9v9 grass football pitches, currently used by the local football club and the community, plus a large area of public open space and countryside.
The site is a Site of Nature Conservation Importance a County wide designation, and within an area of Bio-Diversity Opportunity. It serves as a vital green corridor alongside Earlswood Lakes, Felland Copse and Petridge Common. (see Gallery page for photos of some of the species spotted there)
New Pond Farm allotments have been on the site since at least 1934. New Pond Farm shares its name with the lower lake at Earlswood Lakes, historically named as New Pond.
Our members believe the whole site should continue to serve the community as it is, providing the opportunity for informal recreation, a safe place to exercise dogs, walk or run, and the opportunity to grow your own produce. The community deserve and are entitled to access to open spaces and opportunities to enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle. This is one of 16 countryside sites within the borough where access to the countryside is available for free (see RBBC Countryside Guide). Our aim is to protect the site from inappropriate development, to protect the nature conservation purpose of the site, and bio-diversity opportunities, not to deny or frustrate the efforts of the council to generate investment income, but to encourage the council to search for more appropriate sites where the loss of community assets will not result.
We are committed and passionate about preserving the site for future generations to enjoy. We are custodians of this earth and our aim is to protect New Pond Farm from development and ensure it is preserved for
continued community use and benefit.
We welcome new members and volunteers - please follow the links for further details.