Walton and Tadworth
Preservation Society
The Walton and Tadworth Preservation Society has been formed and is leading a community land purchase scheme in Walton on the Hill
Phase 1
LET’S COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY AND PURCHASE THIS LAND
TO PROTECT OUR GREEN BELT
OUR VILLAGE IN YOUR HANDS
Latest Newsletter
Issue 1 – 25 April 2024
Dear Resident
We all know that we live in a beautiful part of the country and I am sure you will agree that preserving the character and charm is very close to all of our hearts.
LET’S PROTECT OUR GREEN BELT
There are imminent challenges right now which threaten to upset the natural beauty which surrounds us.
These changes have generally come via land purchase and then applications to develop on green belt sites, some parcels of land have recently been sold, one of which is applying to change the use of green belt land. Others are currently up for sale.
If this process continues it will gradually erode the beauty of our historic village and surrounding areas and change the aesthetic of Walton on the Hill and Tadworth forever.
OUR VILLAGE IN YOUR HANDS
At the recent meeting in the village hall, it was suggested that there may be a way for everyone to help with the preservation of our village by raising funds for the explicit purpose of buying some pockets of land to ensure that they are not developed or changed over time.
The vote from the people who attended (circa 300) was unanimously in favour of such a project and so a small working group has come together to explore what is possible.
We have agreed that the best way of funding is to create a village charity which will raise monies and buy pockets of land to protect the village and surrounding areas.
WE THINK IT’S WORTH SAVING
The Formation of the Charity is in hand and subject to funds being collected from you, the residents.
Any land purchased would be carefully considered for its suitability. Strategies would be put into place to try to find ways to self-fund, and to use the land to continue to benefit the village.
A similar project has been highly successful in Chipstead and the aim is to follow their model over time. You can see how this works at www.chipsteadvillage.org
Land, however, is not cheap and the only way for this exercise to be effective is to come to you as one of the residents and ask for you to contribute.
WE ARE SEEKING YOUR SUPPORT
The first target amount will be £300,000 to buy a 14-acre plot at the end of Howard Close. A large field which will ensure that the natural openness of the green belt can continue locally. Once purchased decisions can be made as to how the land is used.
The reality is that to raise the necessary funds we will need everyone to be generous. It would be great to raise more than the amount stated above as I fear that this is the start rather than the end of this process, your donations are therefore much needed.
We have set up a fundraising page please take a moment to go and take a look, If we are successful in raising this target amount the Charity will be formed and the money will be put to good use. If this venture fails to raise enough then everyone who contributes will get their money back.
I believe that we are at a pivotal moment in the history of our historic village and unless we take action NOW the village may never be the same again.
Your help and support are greatly appreciated, thank you.
A CHARITY FORMED BY THE COMMUNITY
FOR THE COMMUNITY
All donations will be used to help in the procurement of land, associated legal costs, land maintenance costs and any other costs required to protect the local Green Belt. By donating to the fund you understand that you will not be the owner or partial owner of any asset purchased, this will be the property of the Walton and Tadworth Preservation Society.
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Thank you for your Support
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