THE Hindhead Together Partnership held its first public meeting last week, taking the next step towards developing a 'concept statement' for the Hindhead area, which will be completed by the end of March 2008, The announcement was made by Hindhead Together Partnership chairman and deputy chairman of Natural England, Poul Christensen, at the public launch meeting in Haslemere, which saw aired viewpoints from many local residents and businessmen. Mr Christensen, said: "This first public meeting of the Hindhead Together Partnership focused on telling partners and the public that we have taken the essential first steps in developing our vision and plan for the Hindhead area, once the A3 tunnel scheme is complete. The Concept Statement for the area will be drawn up with a group of experienced consultants, The Planning Cooperative. He stressed the views and desires of local people and organisations were an integral part, with the statement providing a framework for the more detailed planning process. He said: "We will be involving local people, businesses and local organisations at all further stages in developing this Concept Statement for the Hindhead area. "We had an excellent turn out of partners and members of the public. They were able to hear more about the role of the Hindhead Together Partnership, which is aiming to ensure that any development is correctly directed and appropriate to the needs of local people and businesses. "They were also invited to take part in the ongoing process of developing the Concept Statement. Our consultants will be running workshop events in the new year to ensure that local views are fully accounted for. The plan is to deliver this first stage in our vision for the Hindhead area by the end of March next year. He added: "The task facing Hindhead Together is to see the best outcome for the Hindhead area whilst protecting and enhancing the Hindhead Commons Special Protection Area (SPA) and the wider Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)." Jeremy Hunt, MP for South West Surrey, called this "a critical period for Hindhead". "If the community works together for a common vision, we can make it one of the most special villages in the area with the incredible attraction of the Punchbowl on its doorstep. "But agreeing a way forward is never easy, which is why the launch of Hindhead Together is such a positive first step." Simon Labrow, president of the Haslemere Chamber of Commerce, adds: "The changes for businesses in the Hindhead area as a result of the A3 tunnel scheme will certainly be challenging but will also offer opportunities. "The construction period will bring with it a period of uncertainty for both existing and new businesses in the area. The Concept Statement will help to address some of this uncertainty and offer businesses the opportunity to be involved in the future of Hindhead in respect of commerce. "I encourage businesses to get involved in the workshops planned for the new year, so they can share their ideas and opinions on how the area should be developed." The Hindhead Together Partnership is a joint advisory committee which will work together to optimise the community, economic, landscape and ecological benefits arising from the construction of the A3 Hindhead tunnel scheme. Core members represent Natural England, the National Trust, SEEDA, the Highways Agency, Surrey County Council, Waverley Borough Council and Haslemere Town Council. The A3 Hindhead road project will complete the dual carriageway link between London and Portsmouth. This is a very busy route on which heavy traffic is funnelled at present into a single carriageway stretch of the A3 through the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at Hindhead. An integral part of the scheme is to construct a 1.9km twin-bore tunnel through the AONB and to close and re-landscape the existing A3 road, making it one of the largest and most exciting landscape restoration projects in the country. The scheme will have a major influence on the vitality of the Hindhead community and the surrounding countryside. Over 400 hectares of open access heathland will be freed from the impact of the A3 and, managed by the National Trust, will benefit from landscape, nature conservation and recreational improvements. The area will become easily accessible again for all users, including walkers, horse-riders, cyclists and people with disabilities, making this one of the most dramatic and inspirational landscapes in the South East for nature conservation, recreation and tourism.
