Reigate Heath Steering Group minutes - 15 April 2025
Attendance
| Name | Initials | Position/representation | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cllr Michael Blacker | MB | Ward Councillor Chairman (Cllr) | Present |
| Cllr Kate Fairhurst | KF | Ward Councillor (Co-opted Cllr) | Absent |
| Cllr Victor Lewanski | VL | Ward Councillor (Co-opted Cllr) | Absent |
| Thomas Carmona | TC | RBBC Officer | Present |
| Kate Howard | KH | Reigate Heath Residents’ Association | Present |
| Michael Hill | MH | RBBC Officer | Present |
| Simon Elson | SE | Reigate Area Conservation Volunteers | Present |
| Matt Clarke | MC | Reigate Heath Golf Club | Present |
| Brian Riddick | BR | Reigate Heath Golf Club | Present |
| Susan Medcalf | SM | Botanist/ Natural England | Apologies |
| Elinor Leech | EL | Reigate Heath Horseriders | Present |
Minutes
25/1. Chair’s opening remarks and meeting attendance
The Chair welcomed everybody to the meeting. An introduction was given by all members. Group thanked Cllr Whinney (a former chairman for this steering group) for his service after his passing.
25/2. Attendance
See the table above
25/3. Minutes of the last meeting
The minutes of the last meeting were emailed before the meeting and the group agreed with them.
25/4. Encroachment by travellers
JET do not work on weekends. The group agreed that better prevention is needed. The concrete blocks are still insitu. MH said these will be removed in due course when the banks are improved; this will require Natural England approval. The area is within the Flanchford Road Conservation Area and so the RBBC Conservation Officer will need to be consulted.
25/5. Muddy path by Ivy Cottage in woodland
EL brought issue of a muddy section of the permissive ride to the group. SM has previously said she is not keen on fittleworth being added to the site. When the pipes were turned off, the heathland became much wetter. Currently horses are avoiding this area and creating new paths deeper into the wet woodland. EL said horse riders are doing this to avoid the mud which causes leg issues for the horses. SE reminded the group that the access for horses were permissive and not statutory and the extra path creation was causing damage to habitats. It was agreed that EL would do some research into potential solutions.
25/6. Drainage
The drainage has become a problem since the cycle lanes were installed on Buckland Road. Surrey County Council asked if they could instal a side intel gully and soakaway in the triangle or install a side inlet gully and diverting it to an existing underground pipe.
A low point along Pendleton Road about 130m South from the main carpark collects water as it has nowhere to go. A resident asked if gullies could be cut into the banks to allow the water to run into the heath. Surrey would have to apply to Natural England for this.
The current gullies at Buckland Corner track will be cleared and new ones dug out. It was agreed that these works were acceptable unless anyone wants to comment on them further.
25/7. Steering Group membership/ terms of reference
TC to send terms of reference to all members for their comments.
25/8. Management plan
The management plan has been signed off, approved and published online.
25/9. Council update
Tumuli clearance has been commenced by the carpark and arisings removed and spot treated. The turf stripping project will continue later this year. The triangle by The Black Horse mowing will be relaxed to once a year barring sightlines.
25/10. RACV update
Scrub clearance, wet heath expansion, creating sun traps, scalloping, controlling bracken, wet heath scrapping.
25/11. Golf Club update
Heather regeneration has been completed, tried scrapping off a grass area to see what will happen. Gorse trimming to improve sightlines. They are looking at sand top dressing and will get NE advice. They are having problems with worm cast due to high water levels. Another planning application will be drawn up in the next 2 months and presented to the group.
25/12. Habitat Subgroup
TC to organise a date for the next subgroup
25/13. Permissive paths
The rides are going well
25/14. Dogs and enforcement
SE asks whether it is possible to charge for permits to walk dogs. Currently, the limit is 4 dogs per person. The group has noticed that dog walkers have increased at Reigate Heath. There has been an increase in the amount of adverts being put up and the amount of green waste flytipping.
25/15. Love your heath event
SE said this could be part of Love Parks week and do something similar to the Thames Basin Heath. There are historic leaflets, SE will try to find these and bring them to the depot with the hope of updating these are distributing them to the neighbourhood, many of whom are new to the area.
25/16. Any other business
KH and TC to find the parking signs for Reigate Heath and agree locations and get the signs installed.
Actions
- EL to research potential solutions to the mud issue.
- All group members to comment on drainage if they wish to
- TC to send out Terms of reference
- All group members to comment on ToR if they wish to
- MC to send the group a copy of the new planning application and hold relevant consultation.
- TC to organise the next subgroup meeting
- SE to find the old leaflets and bring them into the depot
- TC and KH to find and agree locations of the new parking signs.
Next meeting
Wednesday 11 June, 1:30pm onsite.