THE Hindhead Together Partnership says it has met again with the major landowners for the Hindhead crossroads area to discuss with them the Concept Statement . The group has worked on the statement, aimed at producing a framework and vision for the more detailed planning process in the Hindhead area once the tunnel project is complete and the old A3 is closed at Hindhead. The partnership is submitting the final Concept Statement to Waverley Borough Council executive on May 20. Poul Christensen, chairman of the Hindhead Together Partnership, says: "The major landowners have been very positive with us over the past four months and it has been invaluable to have had them engaged in the entire Concept Statement process. "We have explained to them what we have now published and asked them to be proactive in engaging with developers to progress any planning aspirations that they may have. It is also up to them to consider whether they work collaboratively or not. "Hindhead Together believes that some joint working would result in the best outcomes for the area affected by the changes for the Hindhead crossroads, but we have handed the baton to the landowners now." At the same time, the borough council's corporate management team has now looked at the Concept Statement and agreed on a positive recommendation to the council executive. Hindhead Together co-ordinator, Caroline White, adds: "Whilst the suggested diagram on the final Concept Statement could be seen as one possible solution, the crux of the work on the Concept Statement lies in the 'principles for development'. "We are going to emphasise the principles in our presentations to Waverley over the coming months, but we do recognise that any number of other layouts could be devised and some of these could be better than the version in the Concept Statement. "Our layout is an example of a high quality design that meets with what local people would like to see, but it is the underlying principles which we particularly want to see coming through in the development for the Hindhead area."

The seven principles for development are: l Mixed use throughout the area with commercial uses in balance with new housing. l An attractive development with a clear and coherent identity. l London Road re-shaped as a pleasant tree-lined boulevard. l Pedestrian dominance throughout these areas, with vehicles unobtrusive. l Small scale commercial development. l Improvements to public transport, cycle and pedestrian links together with appropriate additional parking. l Protection and enhancement of the specially designated areas. Anyone who would like to know more about the Concept Statement work should contact Caroline White on 01428 681055 or by email at [email protected]">[email protected]