28th August 2018 - Update on the SNCI

We have spoken to Bewley Homes regarding the work on the SNCI and this is their response:

These works are in accordance with our approved Ecological Management Plan and have been undertaken under the supervision of our ecologists. We know it is difficult to believe but these works are for the sole purpose of returning the SNCI to a wetland grassland for which the site is designated for. The works will seem harsh but invasive species have completely taken over and clearing them are in the best interests of the SNCI. Our ecologist has provided the following, which we hope will provide some clarity:

• The management works consist of the clearance of 75% of the scrub and tall ruderal vegetation within the SNCI to allow for recolonisation by wetland grassland for which the site is designated for, and the pollarding of a number of Cherry Laurels at the north western boundary to encourage the establishment of native species, in accordance with the Ecological Mitigation and Management Plan produced to address conditions 17 to 21 of the planning permission for the site. Some small scale trimming of boundary vegetation will also be required on the road side to allow for the installation of a perimeter fence which will be timber post and rail.
• The management works will also include creation of a small number of shallow hollows to allow for water retention to further encourage the propagation of wetland habitats.
• No trees will be removed as part of the management works.
• Following a site visit by Aspect Ecology, it was identified that the area was heavily encroached by Bramble scrub. As such, it was agreed that a small excavator with a cutting attachment could be used to clear vegetation given the lack of any faunal constraints (notably Great Crested Newt are not considered to be a constraint to the works due to the area lying beyond 250m of the nearest water body known to support this species).
• As the works are occurring within the nesting bird season, a nesting bird check was carried out on Tuesday morning (21st August) prior to the commencement of works, during which no active nests were identified with scrub habitat. A subsequent check will take place at a later date, which will focus on the trees requiring trimming to facilitate installation of the perimeter fence.
• It is considered that these management works will help to bring the habitats within the SNCI back into a favourable conservation status, becoming representative of the wetland grassland for which it was originally designated.

The focus this week has been on the clearance of the brambles and scrub, in the coming weeks the laurel on the corner will be coppiced back to about 1.5m and the crowns of the trees along the road boundary and along the footpath will be lifted to allow the erection of the fence and ensure both the footpath and road are free from overhanging branches.

In terms of its future use and purpose it will continue to be managed as a nature conservation area.

9th February 2018

Roadworks Update

Ash Lodge Drive

The road is now open again to all traffic. There is no pavement on the south side and the fence line has been brought out into the road. Please do not park along the fencing as the contractors will be working up to the fence.

Greyhound Roundabout

Work starts on the Greyhound roundabout on Saturday the 10th for 9 days. For the duration the exit onto Manor Road southbound will be closed. The diversion is via Aldershot Road to the A331 roundabout, down Oxenden Road and then back up Manor Road. The contractors will be working for all 9 days, this will be approximately 07:30 to 17:30 Mon - Saturday and 08:30 to 13:00 on Sundays. This is needed to ensure the work is completed during the half term week.

In addition the council have approved access to the Ash Lodge Drive work site during the extended hours (Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning). This will be for contractor parking and removal of waste from the roundabout worksite. No work will take place on the ALD site apart from dump trucks moving waste from the roundabout to a suitable location in the ALD site. The contractors apologise for any inconvenience caused by this but by doing this it will help them to keep the roundabout works on schedule and not creap back into term time.

18th January 2018

Roadworks Update

There is now a plan for the roadworks in Ash Lodge Drive for the next few months. The full plan can be found at here, a summary of the works is as follows

January 22nd to February 16, 2018

Main Sewer Connections
Ash Lodge Drive will be closed to all vehicles between Avon Close and Beverly Close. The diversion is via Manor Road, Ash Street, Lime Crescent, Southlands Lane, Southlands Road, London Way, Colne Way and Ash Lodge Drive. Access for pedestrians will remain at all time. No driveways will be blocked but the layby will probably be closed.

A no waiting order is also in force to stop vehicles parking / waiting in this area.

Construction Vehicles should be using Manor Road and the new site entrance.

February 19th to March 30th, 2018

Connection of new access to Road to Ash Lodge Drive and re-alignment of Ash Lodge Drive.
The majority of this work to start with will take place within the site boundary but there will be the need to remove kerbs etc and work on or near to the south side of Ash Lodge Drive. Expect pavement closures on the south side of Ash Lodge Drive for the duration of the works. Around the 16th March work will commence on the northern side of Ash Lodge Drive whilst the pavement and kerbs are re-configured

There will be a full road closure again for approx 2 days around the 29th March when the top surface is laid down and white lining is completed.

11th January 2018

New Planning Application

As we mentioned on our website back in November Bewley Homes were proposing a change to the approved plans for the Ash Lodge Drive development.

They have now submitted a new planning application for the revised plans. This can be seen on the GBC website at the following location - http://www2.guildford.gov.uk/publica…/applicationDetails.do…