On Thursday, Richard Tear, Surrey County Councillor for Bagshot, Windlesham and Chobham visited the Countryside Estate Operations Team at their Chobham office.
Chobham Common is a National Nature Reserve of significant importance, being one of the finest remaining examples of lowland heath in the world. Spanning over 574 hectares, public access to the common is managed by Surrey County Council and conservation managed by Surrey Wildlife Trust.
Commenting, Richard said:
"Working with the Surrey Wildlife Trust, the team provide a resource for the common and for other sites across Surrey. The team was created two years ago following a re-organisation and it’s almost entirely self funding.
"We were able to discuss a wide range of topics, many of which are familiar to local residents. Amongst these topics were filming on the common, heather, maintaining the natural environment and the role of volunteers. Car parks of course were a topic as was litter and it’s collection.
"Dog walking on the common and the failure of some dog owners to take their litter home, the cutting up of the common by some cyclists was also a cause for concern.
Being a small team many of the projects they would like to move forward are still in the planning stage. These include improving the visitor car park experience and the possibility of fund raising for the common.
"Local conservation and focus groups are a welcome part of their daily life and the the further involvement of the these groups and volunteers on the common were also talked about and I look forward to continuing these conversations during my term in office.
"The team are busy looking after the common and with dealing with visitors queries and issues. They work hard on solving these issues as rapidly as they can and are always pleased to hear from local residents as am I."
The SCC Countryside Estates team can be contacted via email at: [email protected], or via the SCC contact centre: 0300 200 1003
Pictured, the Countryside Estate Operations team Chobham office
