Old Portsmouth Road And New Pond Road - Peasmarsh Common

PEASMARSH COMMON

Surrey County Council has applied to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for consent under section 38 of the Commons Act 2006 to carry out restricted works on Peasmarsh Common. The Planning Inspectorate will decide the application on behalf of the Secretary of State.

The proposed works are to widen existing tarmac paths used by pedestrians and cyclists, through widening into adjacent grass verges. The areas where the paths would be widened are shown on the accompanying plans. The surfacing will impact areas next to Oakdene Road, and along Old Portsmouth Road and New Pond Road.

The surfacing would cover a total area of 432 square metres, however, it is planned to convert 257 square metres of existing bound surface in this locality to grass verge, so the net surfacing would be 175 square metres. As well as the widening of existing bound paths used by pedestrians and cyclists, safety fencing is proposed where the path is adjacent to an existing pond. The fence would be a timber post and rail fence with a height of 1.4m and length of 15m. The works would be along existing paths used by pedestrians and cyclists which are narrow and need to be widened to bring up to national standards so that they are safer, more comfortable and more attractive and fit for purpose for all potential users (pedestrians and cyclists, including wheelchair users).

Widening of the paths are required to provide more space for different users to pass each other more safely, ensuring distance can also be kept from motor vehicles on the carriageway. New signalised toucan crossings for pedestrians and cyclists are planned across New Pond Road as well as A3100 Old Portsmouth Road (directly west of the southern end of Oakdene Road) and it is necessary to widen the paths that adjoin the crossings. The areas of common affected are next to and already affected by main roads.

A copy of the application form and accompanying documents can be inspected at Countryside Access Office, Surrey County Council, Merrow Depot, Merrow Lane, Guildford GU4 7BQ (by appointment Tel. 0300 200 1003) during normal office hours until 14 June 2026.

A copy of the application form and accompanying documents may be obtained by writing to Anne Woods, Countryside Access Team, Surrey County Council, Whitebeam Lodge, Merrow Depot, Merrow lane, Guildford, GU4 7BQ, or by emailing anne.woods@surreycc.gov.uk.

Any representations should be sent in writing ON or BEFORE that date to The Planning Inspectorate, Commons Team at 3A Temple Quay House, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN or commonlandcasework@ planninginspectorate.gov.uk. Representations sent to The Planning Inspectorate cannot be treated as confidential. They will be copied to the applicant and possibly to other interested parties. To find out more about how the Planning Inspectorate uses and manages personal data, please go to their privacy notice.

Tim Vickers, Senior Programme and Commissioning Officer (Transport) Surrey County Council, Victoria Gate Woking, GU21 6JD