The Elstead and Weyburn Neighbourhood Plan will now go to referendum on 20th June 2024.  All residents are invited to vote.The updated neighbourhood plan may be viewed on the Waverley BC and Elstead Village Websites. https://www.waverley.gov.uk/Services/Planning-and-building/Planning-strategies-and-policies/Neighbourhood-planning/Elstead-and-Weyburn-Neighbourhood-Plan A flyer detailing all the key information will be hand delivered to residents in the plan area by the end of this week (7th June).There will be three "drop in sessions" where you can chat informally to members of the NHP team.  These will be Monday 10th & Monday 17 June at Elstead Youth Centre from 1-2pm and from 6-7pm.  A further drop in session will be held on Thursday 13th June at Pavilion Cafe, Tanshire Park from 1-2pm and 6-7pm.Hard copies of the plan will be located in the village at the end of the week (7th June) or by request from The clerk: elsteadpc.clerk@gmail.com.NHP Posters

Residents are invited to attend the Annual Parish Assembly on 20th May 8pm-9pm at Elstead Youth Centre. There will be talks from The Rural Life Centre and Inspector Rob Brian, Waverley Borough Police Commander as well as updates on Bonfire Hill and the new date for the neigbourhood plan referendum. Light refreshments will be available afterwards. We hope to see you there!

Hankley common will be closed on 17th March 2024

Work is beginning on a review of Surrey County Council’s Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP). Surrey County Council is seeking the views of your council prior to drafting the new ROWIP so that the document reflects local priorities.  Surrey County Council is responsible for around 2164 miles (3482 km) of public footpaths, bridleways, restricted byways and byways open to all traffic across the whole of Surrey County.  Surrey County Council’s ROWIP is an important strategic policy document, which the council is required by law to have in place. It sets out how Surrey County Council can make sure the public rights of way network meets the needs of the public, now and in the future. The process of reviewing the ROWIP, and the engagement being carried out before the new ROWIP is drafted, will help the council to better understand the needs of Surrey County residents. A public questionnaire for individual councillors or members of the public is available at https://www.surreysays.co.uk/environment-and-infrastructure/rowip-public  The survey will close on 10th March 2024.

Following a court order the scheduled referendum for the Elstead & Weyburn Neighbourhood Plan has been deferred due to an error on a map.  The plan will be amended and a new referendum date will be arranged by Waverley BC.  It is anticipated that the new referendum will take place as quickly as possible.  Once we have a date we will advise residents.  A new drop-in date will be arranged at which residents will be able to ask any questions about the plan. Elstead Parish Council would like to apologise for the delay in informing residents. This delay has been caused by the incredibly complicated legal process that has had to have been undertaken to pause the referendum. Unfortunately, we have not been legally allowed to say anything publicly on this matter until now despite our very best efforts.

Residents will be able to have their say on the Elstead and Weyburn Neighbourhood plan as the referendum has been set for 29th February 2024. A summary of the plan will be letter dropped to all residents ahead of the referendum. Two drop in sessions have been scheduled for 22nd February 2023; 1-2pm Elstead Youth Centre and 7-8.30pm venue tbc.  Anyone is welcome to pop in if they have any questions or comments about the NHP. Elstead & Weyburn Notice of Referendum[1] https://www.waverley.gov.uk/Services/Council-information/Registering-to-vote-and-elections/Neighbourhood-Planning-Referendums/Elstead-Weyburn-Neighbourhood-Planning-Referendum-Thursday-29-February-2024  

English Nature is running some research into how people use heathlands and protected areas. As part of a local nature improvement project called “heathlands connected” English Nature would like to hear your views by answering this survey on how you use the commons - Heathlands Project Surrey Hills (snapsurveys.com). The survey is live until 15th January 2024 James Giles is also trying to put together a community Volunteering day on the 20th of December at Thursley NNR. Full details of this can be read in James's Natural England article in the village news or alternatively please contact James at james.giles@naturalengland.org.uk

Elstead Parish Council understands that an offer for the purchase of the land at Bonfire Hill has been accepted by the vendor. The purchaser is someone with a long association with the village, who intends to transfer ownership of the land to a charitable trust administered by the Parish Council for the benefit of the local community. The Trust Deed will determine the future use of the land, which is likely to be confined to agriculture, recreation and amenity. The Parish Council has agreed to act as the charity administrator and to manage the land on behalf of the benefactor pending the establishment of the charity. It will take time for the sale to be processed and once there is more information we will update residents accordingly.