It’s been lovely to see some signs of spring over the last week or so and we’re looking forward to the next few months with a few dates to pop in your diary. Read on for more info!

Upcoming Events

• St Andrew’s Fundraising Quiz – 21 March 6.30pm £10
• Easter Sunday Services – 5 April – St Peter’s: 8am Holy Communion and 10am Parish Eucharist. The Easter cross will be decorated during the 10am service with flowers and there will be Easter eggs for children. St Andrew’s: 10am service.
• Messy Church will be on Sunday 19th April at 3pm in St Peter’s. Crafts and activities for children from 2+. 
• Chart Fair Brainstorm session! Thursday 23 April from 6pm until 7.30pm, Chart Cricket Club – the organisers would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions for this years fair.
• New Unitary Authority (East Surrey) Council Elections – 7 May 2026 (please make sure you are registered to vote) 8am to 10pm at either St Peter’s Church Hall or St Andrew’s Church Hall. (see below for more details)
• Air Raid Shelters Open Day – Saturday 9 May 2026 – 2-4pm – click here to reserve your (free) place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/2026-air-raid-shelters-open-days-may-and-july-tickets-1983266162480
• Annual Parish Meeting – Thursday 14 May 2026 7pm for 7.30pm start – refreshments after – St Peter’s Church Hall. (see below)
• Chart Fair – Sunday 14 June 2026 12-4pm – stallholder enquiries to Ann Davey: anndavey01@icloud.com and sponsor enquiries to Jonny Wilson: jwilsonchartfete@yahoo.com
• Limpsfield Village Fete – Saturday 20 June 2026 12-4pm – Stallholder enquiries to janetozer55@hotmail.com
• Air Raid Shelters Open Day – Sunday 19 July 2026 – 2-4pm – click here to reserve your (free) place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/2026-air-raid-shelters-open-days-may-and-july-tickets-1983266162480

Annual Parish Meeting – 14 May 2026, 7pm

We’d love to see you at this year’s Annual Parish Meeting – this year it’s the turn of St Peter’s Church Hall to host.

It’s a great opportunity to find out more about Local Government Reorganisation and what it means for parish councils, meet your councillors, and hear about what the Parish Council has been working on recently. There will also be plenty of time to ask questions about local issues or anything happening in the parish.

We warmly invite local community organisations and groups to come along and share information about what they do. If you’re planning to attend, please RSVP to the Clerk at clerk@limpsfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk and, if possible, send in any questions in advance.

Local Government Reorganisation & Elections 7 May 2026

Elections for East Surrey Council and West Surrey Council will take place on 7 May 2026. Those elected will initially form a “shadow” authority, with the new councils taking full control from 1 April 2027. Please do make sure you are registered to vote ahead of the May elections.

Parish councils are not being abolished — they will continue as normal throughout the transition. Day-to-day parish services and responsibilities will remain unchanged.

Looking ahead, parish councils may take on additional responsibilities, and it’s likely that Limpsfield will work more closely with neighbouring parishes on certain assets, projects and activities.

For clarity, Limpsfield Parish Council’s current term runs until May 2027, when the next parish council elections will take place.

Planning Matters

The Parish Council has submitted a formal response to the draft Tandridge Local Plan (see separate article) and has also prepared a working reference document setting out our position on Green Belt development and the concept of “grey belt”. See our planning page for key documents and more information.

There are currently several planning applications in and around Limpsfield that raise concerns about development within the Green Belt. The Council is responding carefully and in detail to all applications, particularly where we believe proposals may be inappropriate, unsustainable, or in conflict with the Limpsfield Neighbourhood Plan (LNP).

The LNP is an adopted planning document and must be referenced in all planning applications within the parish. Planning officers are required to take it into account when making their decisions.

Spring Reminders

As we head into the brighter months, a few gentle reminders that will help to keep our parish looking lovely:

• Keep Hedges trimmed off pavements: Please keep hedges trimmed back from pavements and roads to keep routes safe and accessible. Between March and September hedge trimming should be kept to a minimum and check for live bird nests before any work.
• Avoid Parking on pavements & grass verges: Please try to avoid parking on pavements, which forces pedestrians into the road (there is new legislation coming soon that will allow local authorities to enforce this).
• The grass verges, particularly in the Chart village are an important part of the street scene / local character and are currently being destroyed by vehicles parking on them. There is almost always parking a little further down the road, so please if possible walk a few extra metres and allow the grass to recover. Please relay to your family, visitors, builders.
• No Mow May: Consider leaving all or part of your garden unmown throughout May (and beyond!) to encourage wildflowers and support wildlife.
• Stoneleigh Road Allotments: The site has recently been cleared of rubbish and hedges tidied — thank you to those involved. All tenants are reminded that plots must be kept tidy, at least 75% cultivated and free of rubbish. Please also comply with allotment rules (for example: no washing lines or baths — water butts only — and no fences, hedging or sheds without permission). It would be great to see this fabulous local asset looking its best this year.
• Countryside Code: 
  • Stick to marked footpaths and bridleways.
  • Motorised bikes of any kind are not permitted in any circumstances on the Chart or Common.
  • Bicycles/Mountain Bikes can only be ridden on designated bridleways/multi-use pathways (with blue or orange arrows) and bike riders should ALWAYS give way to pedestrians and horseriders. Bikes may not be ridden on footpaths.
  • Keep dogs out of ponds and under proper control near wildlife and livestock.
  • Please respect fenced and dead-hedged areas, which protect habitats and the bluebells at Ridlands Grove.

Footpath Closure: Footpath 211 near the railway off Monks/Guildables Lane will be shut for 6 months from this month due to Network Rail works.

For more information, please visit www.limpsfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk or contact clerk@limpsfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk.