Newsletter Summer 2022
WGSPG SUMMER UPDATE
COMMUNITY SURVEY - NEW POND FARM
RESULTS ARE IN!
What we learned from the Community Survey:
A big thank to all who took time to answer our questionnaire on New Pond Farm, we now have a better feel for who currently uses the site, for what purpose and what improvements may improve user experience, thank you. The information will be invaluable in our discussions with the council and future projects to improve the site for both recreational purposes and nature recovery.
Here is a snap shot of the results:
- 93 responses
- Of which 74% reside in Woodhatch
- Approx. 30% visit the site a few times a week
The main purposes for visiting the site were:
- 65% for exercise, walking/running
- 59% to enjoy nature
- 54% walking a dog(s)
- 90% state accessing nature and wildlife is important to them
- 83% state protecting the green belt is important to them
- 78% sate nature recovery and improving bio-diversity is important to them
Turning to improvement projects:
- 80% supported creation of a circular walk and installation of an additional footbridge over the brook
- 64% supported appropriate grass cutting regime to promote bio-diversity and species rich grassland
- 54% supported improvements to the footpaths
- 47% support a community orchard
To see the full survey results, click on the link below:
JULY PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT MEETING
The 13 th July saw our first public engagement meeting, an initial step towards gathering the views of the wider community about the green spaces in Woodhatch, protecting and preserving them for the future, and possible improvements. Despite being a very hot evening, the meeting was well attended, including local Councillors, County Councillor and guests Cllr Bramhall and Morag Williams from Reigate and Banstead Borough Council. The evening included presentations from Amie Vaccaro Chairperson of WGSPG, Simon Elson of Reigate Area Conservation Volunteers and Martin Bacon of The Reigate Society Green Spaces Committee.
We hope the evening was informative for all that attended, and we look forward to delivering further public engagement events in the near future. We feel strongly that communities should play a key role in how their community is shaped, and the nature of any developments.
HAVE YOUR SAY - YOUR VOICE MATTERS
Community engagement is an ongoing process, and we want to hear your views, please contact WGSPG via the Contact page on our website if you have any comments, suggestions, or concerns. We value everyone's input, thank you.
IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS - NEXT STEPS
The feedback to date has been extremely positive and supportive of improvement projects to the site at New Pond Farm, and also the site at Woodhatch Park. We hope to meet with the council soon to discuss possible improvements and maintenance (footpaths and grass cutting) further. In the meantime, we have commenced work on a proposal to deliver a Community Orchard for Woodhatch, on the site at New Pond Farm. We will be conducting further consultation of the Community Orchard proposal shortly.
DOES THE IDEA OF A COMMUNITY ORCHARD APPEAL TO YOU?
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BEING INVOLVED IN DELIVERING A COMMUNITY ORCHARD?
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN, OR KNOW ABOUT, FRUIT VARIETIES, PRUNING, AND MAINTAINING ORCHARDS?
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN JOINING COMMUNITY EVENTS, AND HELPING OUT UNDER INSTRUCTION?
Please get in contact. Community orchards are reliant upon the community support and having sufficient numbers of volunteers from the community to help out.
