There’s plenty happening across Limpsfield this autumn, from keeping our streets, commons and green spaces looking their best to taking important steps to protect and improve our local community for the future. In this edition, we share news of local litter-picking efforts, progress on the transfer and improvement of community assets, planning and neighbourhood matters, and request that you please continue to support our high street and local businesses, particularly during the gas works. We also say a heartfelt thank you to Tom Briggs for his seven years of service to the Parish Council, while looking ahead to the many events, activities and opportunities to get involved across the parish.

Keeping Limpsfield tidy – and looking after our community

The next Pick ‘n’ Pint takes place on Saturday 10 October, then 14 November. Meet at The Bull Inn at 10.30am for around an hour of litter-picking before returning for a well-earned drink. Hi-vis vests, litter pickers and bags are provided, and everyone is welcome.

Well done to junior litter pickers from Hazelwood School (pictured) who did a litter picking session around Grub Street on 25 September with their teacher Ms Harvey and Councillors Bob Harvey and Mark Wilson. Many bags were collected and then retrieved by the brilliant team at TDC. A fabulous effort!

A gentle reminder to take your litter home whenever possible. Our litter bins are intended for small, everyday items rather than bags of household waste or the remains of picnics and parties. Please put larger amounts of rubbish in your own wheelie bin when you get home – it really does make a difference.

Thanks also to the Friends of Limpsfield Common Guardians, who do so much to keep the Chart and Common tidy, and to Sarah, Juliet, Louisa and Theresa, who regularly litter-pick around Limpsfield without any fanfare.

Community Asset Transfers

We continue our mission to keep our parish assets well maintained, including improving the accessibility of footpaths across the parish and are very happy with our beautifully restored phone box, now a fully stocked lending library!

We are now in the final stretch of the transfer of Ellice Road Car Park to Oxted and Limpsfield Parish Councils as a jointly owned asset. It has been a long and protracted process, as these things often are, but we are hoping to complete the transfer shortly, following some agreed improvements to the site by Tandridge DC.

Once complete, we will issue a full statement via social media and our website explaining the operational management arrangements. Our priority is to continue supporting Oxted town centre, local businesses and residents, and we anticipate no changes to current parking tariffs for this financial year, nor to the provision of 2 hours’ free parking, free evening and weekend parking, and business permits for the foreseeable future.

Station Car Park Closure – we are obviously aware of the difficulties presented by the Station Car Park’s temporary closure. POsitive steps have been made with Morrisons agreeing to carry out necessary works as soon as possible but this will take some time. Please help by walking or getting a lift to the station as much as you can and please do not park in residents parking or in the business permit holder bays in Ellice Road Car Park. These are paid for by the businesses and strictly for their use only. Thank you.

The transfer of two other local assets – Tidys Green, the common land by Ratcatchers Cottage on the A25 near Detillens Lane, and the Stoneleigh Road Allotments on Limpsfield Chart – should also be completed shortly.

We have already been liaising with the allotment holders and encouraging Tandridge District Council to undertake some long-overdue tidying and vegetation clearance. We are in regular contact with the tenants via the new WhatsApp group, and are delighted to report that there is now a full cohort of enthusiastic gardeners at the allotments! We look forward to working with them and exploring further improvements to the site.

Thank you, Tom

Thomas Briggs has stepped down from Limpsfield Parish Council after seven years of service, including two years as Chair of the Council and Chair of the Finance Committee. Tom is now spending more time in his native USA, and we thank him for his considerable time, commitment and dedication to the Parish Council and wider community.

We have been interviewing some excellent prospective new councillors to co-opt, and hope to announce a new councillor in very shortly. There are also plenty of opportunities to get involved with Parish Council activities and committees on a more informal basis, so if you’d like to contribute in any way, please get in touch.

Limpsfield Neighbourhood Plan Review

The Limpsfield Neighbourhood Plan Review has now been submitted to Tandridge District Council’s Planning Policy Review Team, and we hope to publish the revised Plan shortly.

We have also recently submitted a formal and detailed response to the Tandridge Local Plan consultation with specific regards to development in the Limpsfield area, as well as a response to the recent consultation for proposed development at Wolf’s Row. Please see website.

Local business

Gas works in Limpsfield – Please support your high street – it’s business as usual!

SGN are carrying out works as part of their countrywide improvements plan. This involves replacing the mains and supply pipes in Wolf’s Row and Limpsfield High Street. Works are ongoing over October and November, but businesses are open as usual and businesses and homes will have access at all times – there is just no through traffic with the top end of the high street near the traffic lights being the main site for the works. The rest of the high street is OPEN for access. To avoid congestion, park further down by the church or on Detillens Lane (check restrictions) where possible.

Good Luck to Kate Tulett Art 4 All, Coffee @ Kiwi House and Lorelei London at Tandridge Business Awards on 14 October. Whatever the results on awards night, simply reaching the finals is a fantastic achievement and a real reflection of the talent, hard work and dedication of our local businesses.

Dates for your diary

• 31 October – Halloween – we look forward to seeing your excellent decorations!
• 8 November – Remembrance Sunday – 0945 Oxted Band lead in the procession to St Peter’s, for service 10-10.45 followed by roll call and 2 minutes silence. NB road outside St Peter’s will be briefly closed as the procession moves up the high street. Followed by service and refreshments at Limpsfield Royal British Legion.
• 11 November – Armistice Day. 2 minutes silence at 11am.
• 14 November – St Andrew’s Christmas Fair 12.30-2.30pm
• 25 November – Limpsfield Village Christmas Shopping – 11am-4pm – stalls and shopping opportunities at The Bull Inn, Kate Tulett, Wickhams Courtyard (Oxted Framing, Bey Tree, The Limpsfield Home Company), Memorial Stores, The Limpsfield Kitchen.
• 28 November, 2-6PM – Love Oxted Christmas Event and Lights Switch On AND The Bull Inn’s Light’s Switch On event 4.30pm. Go to both!
• Second Week December – Light Up Limpsfield – please get your homes and doors adorned with lights and wreaths. The St Peter’s Christmas Tree Parade and crib will be in situ by the end of Friday 11 December.

Don’t forget that Coffee Mornings continue every Wednesday at both St Andrew’s Hall and St Peter’s Church. They are a lovely opportunity to meet neighbours, make new friends and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee – and, of course, a slice of delicious home-made cake!

Planning Matters

• We were very happy to present our views at the Tandridge District Council Planning Committee on 1 October regarding the proposed development on land adjacent to Edenbrook (behind Snatt’s Hill). This applicating has been rumbling along for years in different versions and we were very concerned with its impact on the local homes and land regarding due to flood risk. Mark Wilson made representation on behalf of Limpsfield PC and we are pleased to say the application was refused. You can find a summary of the matter on our planning page.
• We held an extraordinary Planning Committee Meeting on 30 September for a discussion on the proposed development at the “old allotments site” on the A25 next to Wolf’s Row. Local residents are concerned on the impact of this green belt application for 26 homes on the Conservation Area and surrounding infrastructure. Residents were able to ask questions and learn more about the application process in this very positive meeting. The LPC Planning Committee voted to object to the application and will be submitting its response shortly. Thank you to all who attended. Draft minutes and the formal response will also be on our planning page shortly.
• We continue to keep a watching brief on outstanding applications including the proposed Padel Centre at Broomlands Lane, the appeal for land at Thornhill, the Oxted Quarry development (impact on Limpsfield infrastructure and amenities including the Oxted Health Centre).

Suggestions Welcome!

We are always happy to hear from parishioners regarding any ideas for community projects. Please email the clerk – clerk@limpsfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk

www.limpsfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk

Feature photo by Lou from NT Taskforce!