Infrastructure Delivery Plan (Feb 2013) - Runnymede Borough Council

• Hare Hill open space: divides the two settlements of Ottershaw and
Addlestone and consists of 13.5 hectares of open grass, shrub and
woodland. This varied setting makes this site ideal for rambling, dog walkers
and leisure activities; visitors are predominately from the neighbouring areas
and use the site mainly for dog walking and walking. The site is accessed
from Spinney Hill and has a number of housing estates backing onto the open
space area, local residents gain access to the site from a number of entrance
points around the site. Parking is however only available on adjoining
residential roads. The mosaic of habitats provides an array of wildlife to see,
providing an invaluable source for research and teaching conservation to
pupils from the local schools.
• Homewood Park: located in Chertsey and was surveyed alongside the
existing sites. The site is 23.4 hectares in size and can be accessed from the
Stonehill road, where the main car park is, another pedestrian access is off
the Guildford Road. Limited residential parking is also available near the
Guildford road point. Homewood Park has a variety of planting, trees and
grassland, with a wooded area; informal paths provide trails to follow. The
majority of visitors are from the surrounding area of Chertsey, nearby
residential areas supply dog walkers and walkers, as well as visitors from the
near by St Peters Hospital and offices within the site. A nature trail starts and
finishes at the main car park, with the potential to extend this to link this into a
wider network of paths within the site.
• Chertsey Meads (agreed in principle as a SANG with Natural England if
a further SANG is required over the plan period to support residential
development)): Chertsey Meads is a Council owned public open space of
approximately 71 hectares, which lies between the River Thames and River
Bourne, half a kilometre east of Chertsey town at the end of Mead Lane. RBC
manages the Meads in partnership with the Chertsey Meads Management
Liaison Group. The primary aim of this group is to provide the Council with
scientific, natural history and other advice on the conservation, management
and recreational use of Chertsey Meads. The Meads are a much loved
landscape feature especially for dog walkers, horse riders and families
visiting the popular play area or picnic areas. The natural qualities of the
Meads provide a contrast to the more formal parks nearby. A total of well over
400 species of plants have been recorded on the site. In spring there is a
spectacular display of colours from the flowers, grasses and sedges, which
continues long into the summer. The Meads also provide a home to a diverse
range of birds, a total of 108 species have been recorded over a number of
years. These include birds typical of farmland such as Bullfinch, Lesser
Whitethroat and Skylark. Also found here are species that use the reed beds
like the Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler. There are two car
parks on site.
10.28 In addition a SANG has been provided as part of the Franklands Drive development in
Rowtown (allowed at Public Inquiry in 2006). This SANG is known as Strawberry Hill.
10.29 The last published survey of the SANGS in the Borough was carried out in 2009. The
SANGS surveyed at this time are shown in black text. The remainder of the SANGS in
the above list (shown in red text) have been introduced since 2009. Survey work has
recently been carried out in 2012, and at this time, Chertsey Meads was also surveyed
as a SANG (the results of this survey will be published in 2013).
10.30 Overall, it was found in the 2009 survey that walking and dog walking remain the main
reason for people visiting the SANGS sites within the Borough. Visitor numbers on sites
that have been surveyed in 2009 have been maintained or have increased since 2006.
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Runnymede IDP DRAFT – February 2013