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Woodhatch Green Spaces Preservation Group

Written by WGSPG on . Posted in Woodhatch Green Spaces Preservation Group.

About us

Established in November 2020 to protect green spaces around New Pond Farm. We have since evolved into a community group of volunteers working collaboratively with Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, extending our efforts beyond the care of New Pond Farm to include Woodhatch Park, Lonesome Lane and surrounding green spaces. 

We believe these outdoor areas should continue to serve the community, providing opportunities for informal recreation, access to the countryside, and associated health benefits.

We work collaboratively with other local organisations where possible.

New Pond Farm

A former agricultural site located along Earlswood Brook.

Farmed until the mid-20th century, becoming open meadowland over time, and is now designated as a Site of Nature Conservation Interest, used for public recreation.

Meet the committee

Name Position About Contact
Amie Vaccaro Chair A Woodhatch resident for 26 years, Amie is deeply committed to protecting our local green spaces for future generations. As Chairperson of WGSPG, she is a passionate advocate for the environment and the well-being of our community. Amie’s mission is to ensure that all families have easy, ongoing access to the countryside. She believes that preserving these natural areas is essential for our health and connection to nature, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Karen Roberts Treasurer

Karen has lived in Woodhatch for over 30 years and is currently busy being retired. She has always had a big interest in natural history and conservation so supporting Woodhatch Green Spaces was a no brainer as there is nothing more important than the wildlife on our doorstep.

 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Jo Piper Secretary Following a 25 year career in IT, Jo worked for 10 years as a Project Manager in the NHS based at East Surrey Hospital. Jo has previously held secretary/trustee roles for a local youth organisation and her residents’ association in Earlswood. Jo is now retired and likes to travel and enjoy green spaces near to home and further afield. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Supported by Committee Members:
Lisa MacKinnon, Jo Freeman, Nicky Bryant, Lynn Jones & Mary Freeman.
Website Sponsor: Eleanor Kiy - Yes We Do Websites

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Written by WGSPG on . Posted in Woodhatch Green Spaces Preservation Group.

Planning

Crematorium Proposal

BREAKING NEWS - 29th September 2021

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!

Read more …Planning

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Written by WGSPG on . Posted in Woodhatch Green Spaces Preservation Group.

Community Orchard

Woodhatch

Community Orchard

Latitude / Longitude - 51.217992, -0.190607

What 3 Words - safe.output.shins

Woodhatch Community Orchard

Bringing the community together and helping to restore nature

  • WCO 1 Karmijn de Sonnaville

    Eating Apple

    Tasting note: Crisp, juicy, intense & aromatic

    Origin: 1949 Netherlands
    Pick October onwards
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 2 Barnack Beauty

    Eating Apple

    Tasting note: Rich and aromatic

    Origin: 1840 Lincolnshire
    Pick October onwards
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 3 Rivers Early Peach

    Eating Apple

    Tasting note: Sweet peach-like

    Origin: 1893 Sawbridgeworth, Herts
    Pick: August to mid-September
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 4 Emneth Early (Early Victoria)

    Cooking Apple

    Tasting note: Crisp, acidic flesh

    Origin: 1900 Cambridgeshire
    Pick: August to mid-September
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 5 Beth

    Pear

    Tasting note: Sweet, juicy, melting

    Origin: 1938 East Malling
    Pick: August to mid-September
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 6 Rev W Wilks

    Cooking Apple

    Tasting note: Juicy and tangy

    Interesting Fact: AGM - Awarded Garden Merit 1904 (RHS)

    Origin: 1904 Slough
    Pick: mid-September to October
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 7 Black Prince

    Plum

    Tasting note: mild and sweet

    Origin: 1923 Bedfordshire
    Pick: August to mid-September
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 8 Egremont Russet

    Eating Apple

    Tasting note: Rich nutty flavour

    Interesting Fact: AGM - Awarded Garden Merit (RHS)

    Origin: 1872 Petworth
    Pick: mid-September to October
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 9 Bountiful

    Cooking Apple

    Tasting note: Sweet and juicy

    Origin: 1864 East Malling
    Pick: mid-September to October
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 10 Cox’s Emperor

    Plum

    Tasting note: Succulent and juicy

    Interesting Fact: Historical desert regal plum (Syn Queens Crown)

    Origin: 1875 North Wales
    Pick: August to mid-September
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 11 Doyenne Du Comice

    Pear

    Tasting note: Smooth sweet and delicious

    Interesting Fact: A recommendation of Alan Titchmarsh

    Origin: 1849 France
    Pick: October onwards
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 12 Adams Pearmain

    Eating Apple

    Tasting note: Aromatic

    Origin: 1826 Norfolk
    Pick: mid-September to October
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 13 Packhams Triumph

    Pear

    Tasting note: Sweet flavor with distinct musky, slightly tangy, and floral undertones

    Origin: 19th Century Australia
    Pick: mid-September to October
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 14 Czar

    Plum

    Tasting note: Juicy, acidic flavour

    Interesting Fact: AGM - Awarded Garden Merit (RHS)

    Origin: 1874 Sawbridgeworth, Herts
    Pick: August to mid-September
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 15 Tinsley Quince

    Eating Apple

    Tasting note: Sweet and firm

    Origin: 1942 Crawley
    Pick: mid-September to October
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 16 Granny Smith

    Cooking or Eating Apple

    Tasting note: Sweet, sharp, refreshing

    Origin: 1870 Australia
    Pick: mid-September to October
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 17 Lord Lambourne

    Eating Apple

    Tasting note: Crisp and sweet

    Origin: 1907 Bedford
    Pick: mid-September to October
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 18 Ashmead Kernal

    Eating Apple

    Tasting note: Crisp, nutty and sharp

    Interesting Fact: Grafted by local resident Geoff in the adjacent allotments

    Origin: 1700 Gloucester
    Pick: mid-September to October
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 19 Concorde

    Pear

    Tasting note: Smooth and juicy

    Origin: 1977 East Malling
    Pick: mid-September to October
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 20 Jubilee

    Plum

    Tasting note: Firm and very sweet

    Origin: 1985 Sweden
    Pick: August to mid-September
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 21 Conference

    Pear

    Tasting note: Sweet juicy muscat flavour

    Origin: 1885 Sawbridgeworth, Herts
    Pick: October onwards
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 22 Victoria

    Plum

    Tasting note: perfectly balanced sweet-and-sharp flavor with a highly juicy, golden-yellow flesh

    Origin: 1830 Alderton, Suffolk
    Pick: mid-August to early-September
    Planted: 13.01.26 (replacement for failed tree)

  • WCO 23 Beaurre Hardy

    Pear

    Tasting note: melting, buttery, and juicy

    Interesting Fact: Good for wildlife, AGM - Awarded Garden Merit 1904 (RHS)

    Origin: 19th Century France
    Pick: October onwards
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 24 Marjorie’s Seedling

    Plum

    Tasting note: slightly sharp when eaten fresh, it mellows into a sweet, juicy taste when fully ripened

    Interesting Fact: Good for wildlife

    Origin: 1912 Berkshire
    Pick: October onwards
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 25 Norfolk Royal Russet

    Eating Apple

    Tasting note: Sweet

    Origin: 1908 North Waltham, Norfolk
    Pick: mid-September to October
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 26 Carswell’s Orange

    Eating Apple

    Tasting note: Sweet, sharp and aromatic

    Interesting Fact: Raised from a Cox's orange pippin seedling

    Origin: 1938 Surrey
    Pick: mid-September to October
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 27 Ashmead Kernal

    Eating Apple

    Tasting note: Crisp, nutty and sharp

    Interesting Fact: Grafted by local resident Geoff in the adjacent allotments

    Origin: 1700 Gloucester
    Pick: mid-September to October
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 28 Norfolk Royal

    Eating Apple

    Tasting note: Crisp, aromatic and juicy

    Origin: 1908 North Waltham, Norfolk
    Pick: mid-September to October
    Planted: 19.11.23

  • WCO 29 Claygate Pearmain

    Eating Apple

    Tasting note: Crisp, aromatic and juicy

    Interesting Fact: AGM - Awarded Garden Merit (RHS)

    Origin: 1812 Claygate, Surrey
    Pick: October onwards
    Planted: 14.12.24

  • WCO 30 Cornish Gilliflower

    Eating Apple

    Tasting note: rich, complex flavor. It is intensely sweet, aromatic, and spicy, offering distinct perfumed notes alongside a signature clove-like fragrance when sliced.

    Origin: 1813 Truro, Cornwall
    Pick: October onwards
    Planted: 14.12.24

  • WCO 31 Wellington

    Cooking Apple

    Tasting note: Sharp flavour

    Interesting Fact: Excellent baker, makes superb pies

    Origin: 1920 Leicestershire
    Pick: October onwards
    Planted: 14.12.24

  • WCO 32 Scrumptious

    Eating Apple

    Tasting note: fragrant honeyed, aromatic like a bunch of cherries

    Interesting Fact: AGM - Awarded Garden Merit (RHS)

    Origin: 1980 England
    Pick: August to mid-September
    Planted: 14.12.24

  • WCO 33 Keswick Codlin

    Cooking Apple

    Tasting note: very sweet, seldom needs sugar

    Interesting Fact: Recommended for jellies

    Origin: 1793 Ulverston
    Pick: August to mid-September
    Planted: 14.12.24

  • WCO 34 Falstaff Apple

    Eating Apple

    Tasting note: Crisp, crunchy and sweet

    Interesting Fact: Good for pollinating other trees, good for apple juice

    Origin: 1980 East Malling
    Pick: mid-September to October
    Planted: 14.12.24

  • WCO 35 Bakers Delicious

    Eating Apple

    Tasting note: Rich and juicy

    Origin: 1932 Wales
    Pick: mid-September to October
    Planted: 14.12.24

  • WCO 36 Newton Wonder

    Eating Apple

    Tasting note: Sweet aroma

    Interesting Fact: The original seedling was found growing out of a thatched pub roof in Kings Newton.

    Origin: 1870 Kings Newton, South Derbyshire
    Pick: mid-September to October
    Planted: 14.12.24

  • WCO 37 Grenadier

    Eating Apple

    Tasting note: Sharp flavour, best for apple jam and sauces. 

    Interesting Fact: AGM - Awarded Garden Merit (RHS) 

    Origin: 1862 Maidstone, Kent
    Pick: mid-September to October
    Planted: 14.12.24

  • WCO 38 Rosemary Russet

    Eating Apple

    Tasting note: Rich with a hint of pear drops

    Interesting Fact: AGM - Awarded Garden Merit (RHS) 

    Origin: 1831 Middlesex
    Pick: mid-September to October
    Planted: 14.12.24

  • WCO 39 St Edmunds Pippin

    Eating Apple

    Tasting note: Firm, sweet and juicy

    Interesting Fact: AGM - Awarded Garden Merit (RHS), good for pollinators

    Origin: 1875 Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
    Pick: mid-September to October
    Planted: 14.12.24

  • WCO 40 Bloody Ploughman

    Eating Apple

    Tasting note: Crisp and juicy

    Interesting Fact: Good for juicing

    Origin: 1883 Scotland
    Pick: mid-September to October
    Planted: 14.12.24

All trees and their produce remain for the benefit of the community. Sponsoring a tree does not give ownership of the tree or it's produce to the sponsor for their own personal benefit.

Sponsor a Tree - £30

If you would like to sponsor a tree, please fill out our form.

(Please note: We will do our best to match your preferences)

51.218007,-0.190624

  • Family Friendly

  • Fruit Orchard

  • Making Memories

  • Growing for the Future

Working Together

Woodhatch Green Spaces Preservation Group together with Reigate and Banstead Borough Council (landowners), Reigate Area Conservation Volunteers and Growing Health Together, have now established an orchard in the heart of the community of Woodhatch, at New Pond Farm, opposite Earlswood Lakes car park, and close to New Pond Farm allotments.

Access can also be gained via the paths from Felland Way and Lonesome Lane.

Our vision is for the Community Orchard to remain an easily accessible Public Open Space free for all to enjoy and benefit the local community.

Working in Cooperation

WGSPG Supported by;

  • Growing Health Together

  • Reigate & Banstead
    Borough Council

Going Forward

Project aims and environmental benefits:

Seasonal Events:

  • Winter:

    Wassail (January)
    AGM (January)

  • Spring:

    Maintenance day
    Monitoring & Watering as required

  • Summer:

    Fundraising / Volunteer day
    Monitoring & Watering as required
    Maintenance day

    Butterfly count

  • Autumn:

    Maintenance day

Volunteers Needed:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Volunteer Form

Read more …Community Orchard

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