THE group hoping to use the construction of the A3 tunnel to secure a bright future for Hindhead, officially met for the first time in Haslemere last week. At the meeting senior representatives and officers from various organisations including: Surrey County Council, Waverley Borough Council, Haslemere Town Council, the National Trust, SEEDA and Natural England; agreed how they would work together over the coming years to make the most of the economic, social and environmental benefits arising out of the Hindhead A3 tunnel scheme. This includes working with the business community and landowners on the regeneration of Hindhead and the restoration of the Hindhead Commons and Devil's Punchbowl landscape. The meeting was chaired by Michael Sydney, chairman of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership, who told the group "the A3 tunnel scheme is of national significance and a massive investment of public funds". Mr Sydney went on to say: "Whilst the Highways Agency and its contractor Balfour Beatty get on with building the scheme, the rest of us need to work together to ensure that the wider benefits are fully realised. "This includes developing and co-ordinating planning policies to ensure development is appropriate to the needs of the area's residents, businesses and visitors within this internationally important heathland landscape. "It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to ensure that a major road scheme creates a both a wonderful business and natural environment." Mr Sydney told the meeting he was "delighted that all the partners at the meeting are so committed to working together". The group hope to formally constitute the Hindhead Together committee by June and secure the appointment of a project officer to coordinate the delivery of the work programme. Mr Sydney also confirmed he would be writing to Poul Christensen, vice chairman of Natural England and Board Member for the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), asking him to chair the partnership. Hindhead Together members are keen to hear from anyone interested in commenting on the scheme. Residents can have their say by visiting http://www.hindheadtogether.org.uk">www.hindheadtogether.org.uk.
