News

Memory Lane recently enjoyed a lively performance by the Ukulele Band, who joined the Memory Lane Joyful Singers.

This event served as a preparation for the upcoming “Joy in Music” concert, which will be performed in September for people experiencing dementia and their carers.

On 1st July, Sally Burton is set to give a talk to carer guests about the support available from Action For Carers.

Following this, a boat trip is planned for 4th July.

The first “Walk in the Park” will be held on 8th July. Participants can enjoy a leisurely stroll around Knowle Park in Cranleigh, and coffee and ice cream are expected to be popular.

These walks will continue every second Monday morning each month, between the regular Memory Lane Monday meetings.

The first of six talks for carers will take place on 15 July and continue until 18 November.

Memory Lane guests also look forward to a special visit by Dr Jill Rasmussen on 19th August.

Dr Rasmussen, National Adviser to the Royal College of General Practitioners and an adviser to Parliament on dementia matters, will be giving a talk at 3pm.

Anyone wishing to attend is welcome and should contact Memory Lane at 01483 274398 or mamwild@aol.com.

Memory Lane meets from 2.15pm to 4.15pm at the Cranleigh Arts Centre on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month.

Cranleigh is set to hold a significant referendum on Thursday, 20th June 2024, to decide the adoption of the Cranleigh Neighbourhood Development Plan for 2021-2032.

The referendum presents an opportunity for residents to have a direct say in the future development of their village.

The question on the ballot will be: “Do you want Waverley Borough Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Cranleigh to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”

Understanding Neighbourhood Plans

A Neighbourhood Plan is a community-led framework for guiding an area’s future development, regeneration, and conservation.

Established under the Localism Act 2011, these plans empower local communities to shape the development and growth of their areas.

Neighbourhood Plans cover a range of issues, including housing, employment, environment, and infrastructure, ensuring that local needs and preferences are addressed.

Background to the Cranleigh Neighbourhood Plan

The journey to the Cranleigh Neighbourhood Plan began in July 2013, when Cranleigh Parish Council applied to designate the parish as a Neighbourhood Area. This designation, approved by Waverley Borough Council, set the stage for a comprehensive and community-driven planning process.

The Cranleigh Neighbourhood Plan was developed through extensive community engagement and consultation. Public meetings, surveys, workshops, and exhibitions were conducted to gather input from residents, businesses, and other stakeholders.

The plan reflects the collective vision and priorities of the Cranleigh community, aiming to balance growth with the preservation of the village’s unique character and natural environment.

Key Elements of the Cranleigh Neighbourhood Plan

The Cranleigh Neighbourhood Plan sets out a vision for the parish up to 2032, focusing on several core areas:

Housing and Design: Ensuring high-quality, well-designed homes that meet local needs, including affordable housing and sustainable development practices.

Economy: Supporting local businesses and encouraging rural enterprises to sustain a vibrant local economy.

Environment: Protecting green spaces, enhancing biodiversity, and managing natural resources sustainably.

Infrastructure: Improving transport links, utilities, and community facilities to support a growing population.

Importance of Neighbourhood Plans

Neighbourhood Plans are vital tools for local communities, offering several key benefits:

Local Control: Residents have a direct say in shaping the development and growth of their area, ensuring that new developments reflect local needs and preferences.

Sustainable Development: Neighbourhood Plans promote sustainable practices, balancing development with the protection of the environment.

Community Cohesion: The planning process fosters community engagement and collaboration, strengthening local identity and social cohesion.

Legal Weight: Once adopted, Neighbourhood Plans become part of the statutory development plan for the area, influencing planning decisions and providing a clear framework for future development.

The Referendum

The upcoming referendum is the final step in the adoption of the Cranleigh Neighbourhood Plan.

A “Yes” vote will mean that Waverley Borough Council will use the plan to guide planning decisions, ensuring that Cranleigh’s future development aligns with the community’s vision.

The referendum area is identical to the Cranleigh neighbourhood area, encompassing the entire parish of Cranleigh.

Residents are encouraged to participate in the referendum and make their voices heard.

In February 2024, the Cranleigh Neighbourhood Plan referendum was suspended, along with the referendum for The Elstead & Weyburn Neighbourhood Plan, by Order of the High Court.

This suspension, ordered only a week before the polling day, temporarily halted the community’s efforts to ratify the plan. The current referendum date of 20th June marks the resumption of this critical process.

It is important to note that the referendum on 20th June has nothing to do with the controversial plans to develop Cranleigh High Street. Those plans are part of a separate process managed by Surrey County Council and are not covered by the Cranleigh Neighbourhood Plan.

The focus of the Neighbourhood Plan remains on guiding the broader development and conservation efforts within the parish to reflect the community’s aspirations.

The Cranleigh Neighbourhood Plan represents a significant milestone in local planning, empowering the community to shape a sustainable and vibrant future for the village.

For more information and to view the Cranleigh Neighbourhood Plan documents, visit the Cranleigh Parish Council website at www.cranleigh-pc.gov.uk.

As the cost of living continues to rise, many families are finding it difficult to make ends meet, and unfortunately, this often impacts our beloved pets.

Recognising dogs’ crucial role as family members, The Dog Food Bank, a new Community Interest Company (CIC), has been established in Cranleigh to provide essential support for dogs in need.

Join the official launch of The Dog Food Bank at The Richard Onslow on Wednesday, June 26th, 2024, from 6 pm to 8 pm.

This special event will feature drinks and nibbles and the opportunity to connect with fellow dog lovers, local businesses, media, and community leaders. Dogs are, of course, welcome!

While this is an invitation-only event, we encourage attendance requests via our dedicated email address. Please RSVP by June 12th.

Starting after the launch, The Dog Food Bank will operate every Friday from 10 am to 11 am at The Richard Onslow, aligning with the Cranleigh Food Bank for community convenience.

The Dog Food Bank is grateful for The Richard Onslow’s generous support, whose commitment to local initiatives has made this possible.

Their mission is simple: fill hearts and bowls, keeping families and dogs together.

How It Works:

In-Person Collection Only: Visit us in person to collect dog food.

No Criteria or Judgement: We operate on trust, aiming to help every dog and owner without any conditions. Simply bring your dog(s) to meet us.

First Come, First Serve: We will provide supplies until they run out.

Weekly Supply: Each collection provides a one-week supply of dog food.

Their goal is to gather dog food from every possible source to support the well-being of dogs and their families. The Dog Food Bank aims to create a warm and friendly environment where every dog and their owner feels welcome.

Meet the Founders

Richard and Tracey, Cranleigh residents and proud owners of a cocker spaniel named Rosco, are passionate dog lovers dedicated to making a difference in the community. They understand the bond between humans and their pets and believe that no dog should ever go hungry.

Help us spread the word and join our mission to keep tails wagging and families united. Together, we can create a community where no dog is left behind.

For further details, please get in touch with Tracey & Richard at woof@thedogfoodbank.com or visit their website at dogfoodbank.com.

New proposals have been submitted to Waverley Borough Council aimed at revitalising areas around Cranleigh’s High Street.

These plans include a new café in an updated public square and transforming a historic department store into residential and retail spaces.

Stocklund Square Transformation

Stocklund Square, located between Sainsbury’s and Pizza Express, is set to undergo a significant makeover. The plans involve demolishing the existing pavilions and pergola to make way for a new café with outdoor seating, street furniture, and a canopy.

The updated square will feature a covered walkway, tree planters, sculptured seating, and cycle stands. The new café will include a kitchen, serving area, toilets, and seating for nearly 50 customers inside, with additional outdoor seating.

Developers describe Stocklund Square as a typical 1970s shopping precinct and aim to transform it into a vibrant and attractive space. They believe the proposal will enhance Cranleigh’s vitality, making efficient use of the land and supporting the village’s role as a vibrant community hub.

Reviving the Former Manns Department Store

The former Manns department store, with over 130 years of history, is also set for a revival.

Plans have been submitted to convert and extend the first and second floors into seven one-bedroom flats. The ground floor will remain retail space, divided into three smaller units to attract new businesses.

Two of these units already have prospective tenants, pending contract agreements.

Manns, which closed in 2021, is described as a “well-known and much-loved feature” of the High Street.

Property owner James Duffy’s proposal aims to preserve the retail history of the site while meeting the demand for one-bedroom rental properties in the village.

The building’s existing front section will be refurbished, and the upper floor extensions will be designed to respect the building’s heritage.

These exciting developments promise to breathe new life into Cranleigh’s High Street, enhancing both its commercial appeal and residential offerings.

Surrey County Council will seek further consultation on plans to make Cranleigh feel “less car-dominated” following public concerns.

The initial proposal aimed to widen pavements, create a pedestrian-friendly Fountain Square, and replace a roundabout with a T-junction.

Residents argued that there needed to be more consultation regarding these changes to the High Street. Concerns were raised that the plans would increase traffic noise and pollution, make the area less safe for cyclists and pedestrians, and negatively impact local businesses.

Approximately 1,100 people petitioned the council to pause the changes, more than double the number who participated in the initial consultation, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Matt Furniss, the council’s lead member for highways and transport, confirmed a “further round of engagement” would take place.

Lead petitioner Philip Chapman insisted that the future consultation should incorporate ideas from residents rather than focusing on the current plans.

Councillor Liz Townsend mentioned that regular meetings were held between officers, residents, and the Chamber of Commerce, and the issue was discussed in parish council meetings.

However, campaigners felt this outreach was insufficient, as only 472 out of Cranleigh’s 12,697 residents, according to the 2021 census, responded to the initial consultation.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, MP for South West Surrey, stated in March that he had been discussing the proposed changes with the president of the Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce.