Riverside Green Chain consultation
This page is about plans for the next phase of the Riverside Green Chain, that will surround the new neighbourhood in North East Horley and how you can get involved.
If you'd like to help shape this important new phase of the Riverside Green Chain we want to hear from you! 
You can have your say and register your interest in future consultation by completing our short Riverside Green Chain online survey.
Background
The Green Chain will provide an attractive, safe and accessible ‘chain’ of linked open spaces around Horley that follows the town’s system of rivers and streams.
The Green Chain will not only support and protect wildlife habitats but will provide a valuable means for people to get close to nature and enjoy a range of recreational activities – be it walking, picnicking, cycling or horse-riding – hopefully something for everyone.
The Green Chain will also play an important role in creating a natural open setting between the town and the wider countryside, which will be safeguarded from future development, and provide essential flood protection.
Delivery
The Green Chain will be completed on a phased basis over a number of years. Some parts are already in place, such as the highly popular Riverside Walk, River Mole Park and Emlyn Meadows.
However the largest parts will be created adjacent to the two new neighbourhoods. With work gathering pace on the first of these new neighbourhoods, we are keen for local people to have a say, so that you can help us shape the design and management of the Green Chain around the North East Sector!
Proposed improvements
Over 28 hectares of land will be gifted by the developers to create the next phase of the Green Chain that will surround the North East Sector - equivalent to 28 full sized football pitches.
The land was previously farmed and you can still see many of the old field boundaries. Most is open grassland, although there is a small area of woodland known as Scotchman’s Copse. The land also includes a number of important rights of way.
If you are familiar with the site, you’ll have noticed that over the last few years, the developers have been undertaking some earthworks. This was done as part of important flood compensation works that were agreed with the Environment Agency.
We recognise that the area is not a blank canvas. Being former farmland, it has a rich tapestry of natural and man-made features, which will form the backbone of any plans.
We also recognise that a lot of people already use the area for a variety of activities such as dog walking and informal recreation and so any improvements will take these into account.
Central to proposals for the Green Chain is to protect and to enhance what is already there, so that the area remains locally distinctive and characteristic of the local countryside.
To see a plan of the area please download the attached Riverside Green Chain in North East Sector Layout Plan .
Management
The Green Chain will be managed in a number of different ways. More formal areas abutting the new development are likely to be cut frequently by lawnmower. Other areas, such as hay and wildflower meadows, may be either cut or grazed.
Grazing cattle is one of the best ways to manage land for nature conservation and is used widely across the borough. Grazing animals eat the coarse grasses and scrub, allowing fragile wildflowers and other species to flourish.
A small number of carefully selected docile breeds will be used to graze parts of the Green Chain, such as Sussex cattle, which are well loved by children and are quite approachable, as long as dogs are controlled. Even when they are grazed, you will still be able to have access to these areas.
Contact
For further information about the Green Chain and to get involved contact the project team at horley.regeneration@reigate-banstead.gov.uk.
Complete our short Riverside Green Chain online survey.
Last updated : 07/12/2011
