Airspace change trial at Ockham Holding Stack

We have just been informed that an airspace change trial will be held between 30 April-30 September 2015 on the operation of the Ockham stack. 

The Ockham stack is one of four areas where aircraft are held at busy times awaiting landing space at Heathrow Airport.  Aircraft held in the stack fly an elongated circular pattern extending as far south as Dorking and as far east and west as Ashtead and Little Bookham respectively. The area can contain up to nine aircraft ‘stacked’ vertically at 1000ft intervals from a base of 7,000ft.  Further details are given in the attached fact sheet and flight maps.

The trial will test the use of performance based navigation techniques (PBN, sometimes called PRNAV) for operating the stack as a replacement for the ground-based beacon at Ockham that currently guides aircraft into the holding pattern.

National Air Traffic Services (NATS) who are conducting the trial say it is not expecting any perceptible change on the ground because the position and height of the stack is not changing, and a similar trial at another stack at Biggin Hill has not resulted in flightpath concentration.

However, if any residents are disturbed by aircraft noise as a result of the trial, please let me know and/or advise them to register a complaint to Heathrow Airport by emailing noise@heathrow.com or using the complaint form on the Heathrow Airport website at: http://www.heathrowairport.com/noise/what-you-can-do/make-a-complaint-about-noise .

Yours faithfully

Guy Davies

Principal Planning Policy Officer

Mole Valley District Council

01306 879281

www.molevalley.gov.uk

Art/Rubbish Exhibition at ex Helpshop Leatherhead

This is a fantastic exhibition put on by the LRA  Environment sub-committee with the financial support of Mole Valley DC and the CPRE
.
These creative works have been designed and assembled by six local schools and residents. 

HAVE YOU SEEN IT?

Other organisations want to borrow it!

See it at the old Help Shop in Leatherhead High Street this week from Thursday 23 April to Saturday 25 April from 10am until 5pm each day.

Christmas Morning

Thorncroft Bridge

The Mansion Gardens

MVDC: Recycling Plastics in Mole Valley

Message from Josh Lambe, Recycling Officer, MVDC.

Hopefully the following information regarding plastics will be valuable to the group:

Firstly, it’s important to understand that ‘the message’ and how it’s presented to 100,000 residents is of vital importance. Mole Valley DC promotes a deliberately straightforward and hassle free message when communicating what items we can accept for recycling.

In practice, this means we keep the message as broad as possible, and purposely shy away from giving residents huge great lists of items which we can accept. It also means we deliberately do not publish the Recycling Identification Codes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recycling_codes ). Research shows that you’ll gain the highest yield of plastics for recycling when you keep the message simple, as it is understood the ‘average recycler’ will be put off by always having to check the code on every article they’re disposing of, or
having to check a long list of products/materials.
So, in Mole Valley, we try to give the consistent message that as far as plastics go we will accept:

ANY TYPE OF PLASTIC BOTTLE (LIDS REMOVED AND PLACED INTO THE BIN SEPARATELY) PLASTIC FOOD TUBS, POTS AND TRAYS (RINSED)

And that’s it.

So, when considering whether a plastic item is fit to be put in the recycling, firstly, if it is a plastic bottle of any kind, it is accepted for recycling. Secondly, if it is a plastic tub, pot or tray that held any kind of food substance, it is accepted for recycling.

*********************
For those diligent recyclers who wish to know what codes can be accepted, the codes we can accept are:

• 01
• 02 (but not plastic carrier bags)
• 03 (but only in bottle form)

However, some plastic items may have one of the above codes, but will be of the hard plastic variety. We cannot accept what are known as ‘rigid plastics’. Therefore a good rule of thumb is that if you cannot bend the plastic by hand, it is not suitable for recycling via the green bin (plastic kitchen utensils and children’s toys are good examples of this). Conversely, some plastic items may have one of the above codes, but be ‘flimsy’. The second rule of thumb then is that if you can crush the plastic in your hand and it stays in that shape,it is of too low-grade to be recycled (plastic bags or cling film are good examples of this). Lastly, if you think the plastic item could fall in between rigid and flimsy but you’re still not sure, the test is that if it is pretty hard plastic that still bends, but you can snap it in your hand, then it’s not accepted for recycling (flower pots are a good example of this) I hope all that will be of use. I’m always happy to answer any further questions you may have, so please do not hesitate to get in touch. I’m sorry I could not make the meeting.

Kind regards,
Josh Lambe
Mole Valley District Council
01306 879118

=============================================
Other information from correspondence:

Thanks for the information. I only have one question, which is, what happens if we put an item in the recycling bin, which should not be put in there? Does this invalidate the whole contents of the bin, or is it just a nuisance because it has to be fished out?

Hi ,

When our crews notice something in a recycling bin that is not accepted for recycling, they will reject the bin and leave a ‘contaminated bin’ sticker on it, to inform the resident. The onus is then on the resident to fish the errant item out and present their recycling again next time round. Sometimes things are only discovered once the load is delivered to the recycling facility. This will then have to be handpicked out by one of the ‘pickers’ at the site.

We’ve had bad instances in the past where people have put things in their recycle bin so bad that it has meant the whole vehicle load has been rejected at the recycling facility. For example, someone once tried to dispose of a whole massive tin of cooking oil via a communal recycling bin. This burst inside the compacter in the vehicle and… well, you can imagine the mess. A similar thing happened when a resident tried to dispose of a bottle of engine oil. Not good!

Kind regards,
Josh Lambe
Mole Valley District Council
01306 879118

Leach Grove Wood

Can you help Leach Grove Wood?

In the early 1980's, SCC decided to sell this wood for housing. A group of residents fought for the woods  and won. In 1993, SCC transferred the wood back to the NHS. It has strategic open plan classification, but this does not ensure it's safety, so I am applying for Village Green Status, (supported by the LRA),  to safeguard  the wood for future generations.

Many birds and animals are seen here,  including song  and mistle thrush, coal tits, field mice and bats. Village Green Status would ensure that the land would remain open and unbuilt on. 

If you, family, or friends have used Leach Grove Wood, (behind Leatherhead hospital) whilst living in Leatherhead, at any time in the last 20 years, would you fill out a simple  'Evidence of Use' form? My application is in  and accepted. I need 340 more forms by May 1^st . For forms :

leachgrove@leatherheadresidents.org.uk

Flip

Leatherhead Tip Delays

The Leatherhead Community Recycling Centre at Randalls Road in Leatherhead was closed from 9 January by Surrey County Council for improvement works. Following delays the work is now not expected to be complete until November. The nearest alternative tip is at Blenheim Road in Epsom.

More details..

http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/environment-housing-and-planning/waste-and-recycling/where-to-take-your-waste-and-recycling/community-recycling-centres/leatherhead-community-recycling-centre-and-transfer-station

Please Help Save Teazle Wood

As many will know, contracts have been signed. Grateful thanks to all Friends of Teazle Wood who have generously donated or pledged.

Whilst the largest piece of land is secure, £90,000 is still needed for the smaller piece of the wood. (If most of the people of Leatherhead donated £9, this amount would be met!) We have until July 31st to secure this.

All donations welcome. Could you please pass this on to anyone who may be able to help.

Why save Teazle Wood?:

• Last sizable block of woodland in Leatherhead teaming with wildlife • It forms a wildlife corridor between Bookham and Ashtead • Is a well loved green space for people of Leatherhead • Is a proven educational resource for local people and schools

• Has therapeutic value for Combat Stress and Queen Elizabeth's Foundation • it has historical and archaeological significance • it is the home of many rare and endangered species • After being neglected for years it deserves the gentle management that numerous

groups would love to give it

Please send cheques now payable to: "Friends of Teazle Wood" to Lucy Quinnell, Rowhurst Forge, Oxshott Rd, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 0EN.

Please include name: address, telephone number, e- mail, & whether you would like to remain anonymous or whether you are happy to be named (amounts will not be disclosed unless you'd like. Receipts will be given) To follow on facebook: Friends of Teazle Wood

lucyquinnell@aol.com

Surrey Reuse Network furniture reuse campaign

Surrey County Council will be launching the Surrey Reuse Network furniture reuse campaign next week which aims to increase the amount of furniture and white goods that are reused, aiming to divert 2,000 tonnes going into landfill.

The Surrey Reuse Network offers a wide range of good quality items at affordable prices. Made up of a group of six charities, the network aims to find new homes for donated furniture and kitchen appliances, as well as offering training and employment opportunities and helping local families in need. Buying reusable furniture and kitchen appliances is great value, good for the environment and hidden treasures may be found.

Visit www.surreyreusenetwork.org.uk to see what sort of information Surrey Reuse Network are communicating.

"Elf" & Safety : Concerns over Wonky Tree

Will the Leatherhead tree last through the festive season?

Open Committee Meeting Monday, 5th December Leatherhead Institute 7.30 pm – 9.00 pm

Agenda (7.30 pm - approx. 8.15 pm)

1. Apologies for absence.

2. Minutes of the 7th November.

3. Matters arising from Minutes (not covered later in the agenda)

4. Correspondence (None received so far)

5. To receive and consider reports from:

• Environment Subcommittee
• Highways Subcommittee
• Planning Subcommittee: Appeals, Decisions & Current Applications (except Cherkley Court)
• Planning Subcommittee: Cherkley Court Application
• LRA member Kristina Kenworthy: Cherkley Campaign

6. Any Other Business (None received so far)

The formal meeting will be followed by an informal session with mulled wine or soft drink, mince pies and other seasonal nibbles.
________________________________________

(The South Leatherhead Police Panel will be held in the same room earlier in the evening from 6.45 pm to 7.15 pm;
there is no North Leatherhead Police Panel this month)

Cherkley Court Consultation Weekend

I understand that following the Consultation Weekend in July, Longshot Country Club Ltd is holding another presentation on Friday 14th October & Saturday 15th October at Cherkley Court from 10.00 am till 1.30 pm.

You are not expected to be there for 3½ hours. If you want to know the latest for Longshot's plans for the house and gardens, do look in.

Grab a compost bin for only £10!

Following on from an earlier post :

Grab a compost bin for only £10!

What: Surrey Waste Partnership’s home composting team will take their roadshow to Leatherhead Leisure Centre car park where they will be selling compost bins at the bargain price of just £10. Pick up step-by-step guides and trouble-shooting advice for free too, from our composting experts. When: Thursday 25th August, 11.00am to 16.00pm

Context: Home composting is an essential part of Surrey’s waste minimisation campaign and has an important role to play in achieving a reduction in the amount of garden and food waste that is disposed of. Out of a total 514,000 tonnes of household waste currently produced in Surrey each year, it's estimated that around a third could be composted which would save the county an estimated £10 million in green waste disposal costs each year. Visit www.surreywastepartnership.org.uk.

Surrey Waste Partnership: Get composting

Spring into composting

Whether you’re a keen gardener or just want to choose the greenest, most natural way to deal with your food and garden waste, composting is the perfect solution.

Grass cuttings, dried leaves, twigs and vegetable peelings are just some of the ingredients that can go into a compost bin or heap to make peat-free compost – ideal to use in potting or planting in your garden or allotment.

Getting started is easy. All you need is a compost bin or a small space in the garden to create a heap. Then just follow our easy guide to creating your own supply of natural food for your garden.

Get composting today – for a greener tomorrow.

Why compost?

Compost is a natural, nutrient-rich food product for your garden. It will help improve soil structure, maintain moisture levels, and keep your soil's PH balance in check while helping to suppress plant disease. It will have everything your plants need including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and will help buffer soils that are very acidic or alkaline. Compost improves your soil's condition and your plants and flowers will love it!

Because home-made compost is peat-free, it’s good for the environment outside your garden too. It reduces the need to buy peat products, which have been commercially sourced and extracted from peat bogs, resulting in the release of stored carbon from the bogs.

A step-by-step guide

1.Find the right site. Site your bin or heap in the garden on bare soil. If space is limited, put your bin on concrete, tarmac or patio slabs; but make sure there’s a layer of soil or existing compost on the bottom so garden creatures can colonise.
2. Add the right ingredients. Fill your kitchen caddy with the right ingredients such as tea bags, taking care not to compost cooked food, meat or fish.
3. Fill it up. Empty your kitchen caddy and your garden waste into your bin or heap. A 50/50 mix of greens and browns is the perfect recipe for good compost.
4. After 9-12 months. The ingredients you have put in your bin or heap should have turned into a dark brown, earthy smelling material at the bottom of the bin, which can be dug out, with the newer material being left. But don’t worry if your compost looks a little lumpy with twigs and bits of eggshells – this is perfectly normal. Simply sift out any bits and return them to your bin or heap.
5. Ready! Once your compost resembles thick, moist soil and smells very earthy, it’s ready to use.
6. Collect the compost. Instructions will be delivered with your bin. But all you have to do is lift the bin slightly or open the hatch at the bottom and scoop out the fresh compost with a garden fork or spade. If you have built your own, simply rake out the ready compost.
7. Use it. And watch your garden bloom. Compost can be used for all your planting needs – vegetable plants for allotments; general potting (if mixed with something like ordinary soil); flowerbeds and enriching new borders by mixing in existing soil; or around trees by spreading a layer around the roots. Or use it as mulch material, mix with a layer of soil, and help prevent plant diseases.

Get started

To find out more about how to build yourself a compost heap, or to buy a bin, starting from only £14.00 visit www.surreywastepartnership.org.uk or call 0844 571 4444. You’ll also find lots of other helpful tips and information there too.

Future "Transition" events

The following were to be included in our Spring Newsletter; unfortunately it has been delayed by two weeks, so while there's still time ....

Wednesday, March 16th: Transition Bookham meeting

7.30pm to 9.30pm at St Nicolas Church’s Pastoral Centre.
A talk on "Gardening for Bees" with a honey bee keeper speaker from Epsom.

Saturday 19th March: Compost Works Open Day

2.00pm - 5.30pm at 8 The Drive, Fetcham, KT22 9EN. Admission free. For more information visit www.compostworks.org.uk/news.htm

Hopefully, the Newsletter will be out in time for the next announcement, but just in case ....

Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th March: Surrey Eco-house event

Action Surrey, an organisation set up by Woking Borough Council, is organising this event to inspire the public and homeowners to learn about energy saving measures and renewable technology from those who have already been there and done it.
Viewing a Surrey Green Home is free but booking is strictly required. Please visit www.actionsurrey.org/surreygreenhomes to find out more and book free tickets

Here we go again....

Once more because of thoughtless and inconsiderate parking, the bin lorry was unable to access the the higher part of Oaks Close. Once more we have space left only for a car to pass between the parked cars - forget about lorries or larger vehicles.


Long gone is the time when cars did not park on corners, opposite T-junctions and in other places where they were obviously likely to cause obstruction. Now, if there is not a double-yellow line, motorists will park there - to hell with anyone else.

For Surrey County Council to introduce parking restrictions on neighbouring roads in 2009 and do nothing about the road nearest to the station is, in my opinion, crass negligence. For years, cars parked only on one side of this road; it was so obvious that parking on both sides would block the roadway. Then about four or five years ago, as parking got more difficult, they began parking on both sides.

It is so patently obvious that double yellow lines should have been extended at least up to the turning circle on one side of the road. I have spoken with local police and with people from MVDC and everyone seems to be of much the same opinion. So why wasn't it done? Why hasn't it been done?

Do we have to resort again to making our own unauthorized notice asking cars not to part on one side so that the bin lorry can get through? Do we have persuade the local press to highlight our case again?

What are we to do?

You may have read "Road 'blocked by Commuters'" in the 4th August edition of the Leatherhead Advertiser. It tells how on some weeks bin lorries have been unable to access the road because of the insistence of commuters on parking on both sides of this narrow road. This is clearly a health hazard and a failing by Mole Valley District Council to ensure regular refuse collections.

Because of this, one of the residents took it upon herself to produce a sign saying "ON WEDNESDAYS DUST CART UNABLE TO PROCEED. PLEASE DO NOT PARK THIS SIDE." For a few weeks this was largely successful; occasionally a lone car did 'disobey' but not so as to block the bin lorry. However, it was only a matter of time before commuters realized the notice had no legal status and disregarded it. This happened, in fact, on Wednesday, 3rd August, as you can see from the photograph taken that morning. Commuters have parked in full on both sides, despite the notice being out there from Tuesday evening onwards.

Once again the bin lorry was denied access and bins were not emptied.

When a resident, on the next day, asked cars not to park on one side he found most were sympathetic but one person said he was not prepared to look anywhere else, was not breaking the law and was not prepared to pay £4 to park in the Randalls Road car park. In other words, he could not care less whether bins were emptied or not, whether or not life was lost because ambulance and/or fire engine was denied access. How selfish can you get!

Some, who are as old as I, will remember the days when causing an obstruction was an offence - the days when police did issue warning notices and, if necessary, prosecute when people parked in such a way as to cause an obstruction. In those days of common sense double yellow lines were not needed (and, indeed, not invented). Now it seems police are loath to act unless those yellow lines are there! We have been let down by Surrey County Council and not so far helped by Mole Valley District Council*.   Will the police help us? Will they, as a resident has asked, put comes up one side of the close on Wednesdays to allow refuse to be collected (that would not, of course, help in case of fire or other emergency)? Will they?

What are we to do?

Did you read what the Surrey County Council spokesman said? They had proposed a one hour restriction in the morning. Sure, that would get ride of the commuters. But what about those residents who did not have usable drives - who had to park on the road? What were they supposed to do?

When residents' only parking was suggested, the reply was that this could not be considered until after the trial in Minchin Close. That just beggars belief! Are not Surrey County Council aware that residents' only parking has been long established in many places for some time now? I am told that residents' only parking even exists in some other parts of Surrey. Yet in Leatherhead, it seems, it cannot be done until it is seen if it works in Minchin Close. It seems to me that when SCC deals with Leatherhead all logic is abandoned.

The spokesman also mentions an "access only" proposal. He says, "this is not appropriate for this type of road", despite the fact that the original suggestion came from a SCC source. The spokesman also adds that the police informed the Council it was unenforceable. Why? From searches I've made on the Internet, it does appear that "access only" is not entirely clear cut and police do not seem to like it. But I discovered one Lib Dem Council had the courage to implement this on a trial basis for a road that, like ours, suffered parking problems. Why could not SCC at least have implemented this for a trial period? Why could not Oaks Close have been a trial in a similar way to Minchin Close?

At the very least, they should have restricted parking to one side only in the narrow part between the bend before numbers 1 & 2 and the turning circle half-way up the close. Their failure to do this is incomprehensible. Now, of course, the plea will be that there is no money. But, if as a result of this failure, life is lost because a fire engine or ambulance cannot access the top part of the close, we know the money would be found! Why must we wait for this? Why do residents have to continue to put up with uncollected refuse and the spread of flies and maggots?

What are we to do?

* I have, since first posting this, been told by Cllr Bridget Lewis-Carr, one of our MVDC councillors for North Leatherhead, she has had a promise that MVDC will ensure that the road is kept clear to allow bin lorries through on Wednesdays. I am very grateful to Cllr Lewis-Carr for her efforts and await to see how things work out next Wednesday.

Public Art Project in Early Stages in Leatherhead - Have your say

Contributions to 106 Developer Funds have resulted in a £49000 budget for a Public Art Project to be located in or near the Leatherhead Town Centre. In fact, this money can only be used for Public Art. However, a very inclusive description has been used in defining the end project. For example, not only can a statue or other aesthetically beautiful object qualify for consideration but the presentation of a beautiful combination of landscape design incorporating art, nature and street furniture would be appropriate. Projects that are both utilitarian and beautiful, stimulating, or evocative are under consideration.

Do you have any ideas for Public Art. Please contact Cheryl Allen, member of the Public Art Committee and representative of the LRA to the LAP.

Click here to email Cheryl or phone her on (0137)2 370 091.

The deadline for submissions is 19th March. Selected projects will be presented at two public forums:

• 21st April at Park House 4 to 8 p.m.
• 24th April in the Swan Centre

Have your say25 March 2010, 7-9pmDorking Halls

We face major challenges on a scale not seen before. 



Many things will have to change in Surrey as a result of the recession, environmental concerns and the growing issue of how we will care for one another as we get older. 



Surrey County Council wants to know what you think, whatever your question, whatever your view. To make sure you have your say

, come to the public question time event, hosted by BBC Surrey’s ‘Drive Time’ presenter, Mark Carter and quiz the panellists from Surrey County Council, Surrey Police Authority, NHS Surrey, district and borough councils, the business and voluntary sectors. 



For further information and/or to book a FREE place and submit a question please visit: www.surreycc.gov.uk/haveyoursayevent

Battery Recycling Hits the High Streets

From 1st Feb 2010, you should just be able to take your old batteries back to the supermarket.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/batteryrecycling-law-in-force-1885170.html

Source: Independent & BBC

Update: here is the Sainsbury's battery bin in Leatherhead - blink & you'll miss it

PUBLIC EXHIBITION

LEATHERHEAD CONSERVATION AREA

What is the future of the Leatherhead Conservation Area?
Should its boundaries change?
What is special and should be conserved?

We are having an

Open Day
On Saturday 16th January
From 10.00 am to 4.30 pm

View proposals from the draft Leatherhead Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan
and tell us what you think.
There will be opportunities to discuss proposals with Council staff and comment on the proposals

Come and see us at
The Library, The Letherhead Institute
67 High Street, Leatherhead

The draft document will be available to view on-line at www.molevalley.gov.uk and comments can be left on-line until Monday 8th February 2010