THE chairman of the group charged with using the construction of £371m A3 tunnel to plan for the future of Hindhead, this week, took his first detailed look at the building work now under way. Poul Christensen, chairman of the Hindhead Together Partnership, visited the tunnel site and met representatives from businesses in the area to hear their views on the priorities facing the Hindhead Together group. He said: "Our task is to work alongside those building the road scheme to make the most of the economic, social and environmental opportunities the A3 Hindhead tunnel scheme offers for the wider Hindhead area. "Among several priorities, it is vital that development is appropriate to the needs of local people and businesses. "This scheme is a major opportunity to take a fresh look at what is right for the Hindhead area. "My meetings here today were intended to learn at first hand what the local community and local businesses are thinking." "I want to ensure everyone is aware of who we are and what the Hindhead Together Partnership is doing. "People like Simon Labrow, president of the Haslemere Chamber of Commerce, who I met today, are crucial to our work. "I need to know what impact the scheme will have on local businesses like Drummonds and the sort of business opportunities being presented. "As well as contributing to the regional economy, the input of local businesses and creating an outstanding environment are critical to ensuring that the A3 tunnel scheme also secures a vibrant future for Hindhead." Richard Gates, leader of Waverley Borough Council, added: "Our visit today has been an essential first step in our work to develop a strong and viable vision for the Hindhead area after the tunnel is complete. "Our challenge as the Hindhead Together Partnership is to make the most of the opportunities while protecting the Hindhead Commons Special Protection Area and the wider Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. "The partnership is strengthened by having Poul as its chairman, because of the wider remit he brings as deputy chairman of Natural England and as a board member of the South East England Development Agency." Some of the benefits being pursued by the Hindhead Together Partnership include restoring an internationally important heathland landscape recognised as a Special Protection Area for birds, exploring new opportunities for access and tourism, developing the economic role of Hindhead. Other possibilities include enhancing the landscape of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, improving the centre of Hindhead in the short and long term, assisting the National Trust with balancing the needs of recreational users, wildlife and landscape restoration.
