Latest news with #WaverleyBoroughCouncil
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Waverley parks and open spaces honoured in Green Flag Awards
A total of 11 council-managed parks and green spaces in an area of Surrey have been honoured by an international award scheme. The sites in the Waverley area have received Green Flag Awards, marking them as some of the finest in the Park has, once again, also received Green Heritage Site Accreditation, recognizing its "exceptional management of historic features".Steve Williams, Waverley Borough Council's portfolio holder for environment and sustainability, said the awards were "a testament to our dedicated parks and countryside team". Parks on the award list in addition to Farnham are Broadwater Park and Phillips Memorial Park in spaces honoured were Badshot Lea Pond and Orchard, Bealeswood Common in Dockenfield, Blackheath Common near Albury, Frensham Common, Lammas Lands in Godalming, Mare Hill near Witley, Summerlands Estate in Cranleigh and Weybourne Nature Green Flag Award Scheme is managed by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local sets the benchmark for the management of green spaces across the UK and Williams said: "I do hope our residents get out and enjoy some of our beautiful greenspaces this summer."
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Waverley Council approves £650k Cranleigh skate park plans
A "much-needed" new skate park is to be built in a Surrey after a local authority backed spending nearly £650,000 in developer money on the Borough Council unanimously approved the plans to replace the current out-dated facility in Cranleigh Leisure Centre at a meeting on new funding will be used to purchase land for the skate park as well as its Borough Council portfolio holder for planning Liz Townsend said the skate park had been "long anticipated and will be a much-needed and necessary upgrade". She added the park would be an "important addition to recreational facilities in Cranleigh and the surrounding villages which have experienced significant development over the past few years".Planning permission was given in March 2025 to replace the leisure centre, including tearing down the old skate details surrounding the project are still being kept confidential – including where it will be built, according to the Local Democracy Reporting project will be fully funded by contributions from developers through Section 106 funding and money from the Community Infrastructure Townsend added: "There is a huge amount of interest in the project already and its design."There are some extremely enthusiastic future users of this facility."The new skate park represents a fantastic opportunity to build a new and existing community space on a new site."Leader of the opposition Jane Austin added the new skate park was "really great for Cranleigh".
ITV News
13-07-2025
- Climate
- ITV News
Firefighters tackle large blaze at Surrey nature reserve
The fire was captured by Laura Watts. Firefighters have been tackling a large blaze at a nature reserve in Surrey, as temperatures remain high across the south. Surrey Fire & Rescue Service reported 16 fire engines at the scene on Hankley Common, in Thursley, in a post on X on Saturday evening, July 12th. The heathland, part of a SSSI nature reserve, is home to rare lizards and ground-nesting birds. In a Facebook post on Sunday, Cllr Phoebe Sullivan from Waverley Borough Council said the fire had now been contained, but crews were still monitoring the situation. The fire service said about eight hectares (20 acres) of woodland and heathland was affected and advised local people to avoid the area and to close windows and doors. In 2022 a devastating fire in the area prompted a major incident and the evacuation of more than 20 homes. The Common is used as an army training area, and has been used as a film set, including for the James Bond film Skyfall. The latest heatwave has led to hosepipe bans being brought in across parts of the country, with temperatures set to remain high on Sunday. Temperatures are forecast to dip marginally compared to yesterday with possible highs of 31C, before Monday brings some relief from the baking heat. South East Water said demand for drinking water had reached "record levels since May" and announced impending restrictions which will mean customers in Kent and Sussex are banned from using a hosepipe to water gardens and plants, clean vehicles, fill swimming pools or ponds or clean paths, walls or windows from July 18. Met Office meteorologist Kathryn Chalk said: "While we've seen the peak of the heat in this heatwave through today it's still going to be very warm on Sunday before turning cooler for many of us on Monday.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oil and gas drilling licence surrendered at site
A licence to drill for oil and gas at a site in Surrey has reportedly been relinquished by UK Oil & Gas (UKOG). The firm had previously applied to explore the site in Dunsfold, with the application approved by the government, despite it twice being refused by the local council. Waverley Borough Council said the decision for UKOG to surrender its licence marked a "significant victory for the local community, environmental campaigners and the council". UKOG chief executive Stephen Sanderson said the divestment was in keeping with the company's transition away from hydrocarbons into the clean hydrogen storage and production sector. Local farmers previously argued that the disruption to traffic, businesses and the environment were not in proportion to potential benefits. Following the decision, councillor Steve Williams said it was a "momentous day for our community and our environment". "The decision by UKOG to surrender their licence is a testament to the tireless efforts of residents and campaigners who have stood firm in their opposition to this project," he said. "It is a clear message that the protection of our natural heritage and the well-being of our residents must come first." Council leader Paul Follows added that the decision was "a step in the right direction" and reinforced the council's commitment to protecting the environment for future generations. Meanwhile, Sir Jeremy Hunt said drilling in Dunsfold was "always a ridiculous idea and would have ruined the area". He added: "This is wonderful news and totally the right decision." UKOG previously said the project would benefit energy and economic interests. The firm said it would be able to extract gas from the Dunsfold site worth £123m, and that the project was in keeping with the government's Hydrogen, Energy Security and Net Zero strategies. Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Farmers' fury over potential gas drilling site Gas drilling decision disappointing - Jeremy Hunt Gas drilling application approved by government Waverley Borough Council UK Oil & Gas
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Oil and gas drilling licence surrendered at Dunsfold site
A licence to drill for oil and gas at a site in Surrey has reportedly been relinquished by UK Oil & Gas (UKOG).The firm had previously applied to explore the site in Dunsfold, with the application approved by the government, despite it twice being refused by the local Borough Council said the decision for UKOG to surrender its licence marked a "significant victory for the local community, environmental campaigners and the council".UKOG has been approached for comment. Local farmers previously argued that the disruption to traffic, businesses and the environment were not in proportion to potential the decision, councillor Steve Williams said it was a "momentous day for our community and our environment"."The decision by UKOG to surrender their licence is a testament to the tireless efforts of residents and campaigners who have stood firm in their opposition to this project," he said."It is a clear message that the protection of our natural heritage and the well-being of our residents must come first."Council leader Paul Follows added that the decision was "a step in the right direction" and reinforced the council's commitment to protecting the environment for future Sir Jeremy Hunt said drilling in Dunsfold was "always a ridiculous idea and would have ruined the area".He added: "This is wonderful news and totally the right decision."Meanwhile, UKOG previously said the project would benefit energy and economic firm said it would be able to extract gas from the Dunsfold site worth £123m, and that the project was in keeping with the government's Hydrogen, Energy Security and Net Zero strategies.
