ONF Steering Committee Meeting Summary 29th Jan 2026

After a period of rest over Christmas and New Year, we held our bi-monthly meeting in which we covered several important topics affecting our community, including updates on our plan, the SANG car park, concerns around antisocial behaviour, and progress on the Murray House playground consultation. Here’s a summary of the key discussions and upcoming actions.

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Neighbourhood Plan

The plan, design code and evidence base are nearing completion and will soon be entering the formal process towards referendum. This will include a minimum of 6 weeks consultation with the community together with statutory consultees such as highways and councils.

🚗 Councillor update

We invited one of our local councillors to come and provide an update on pertinent issues they are looking into, which members of the Steering Committee had also been approached to provide advice on, from members of the public.   This included the topics of:

• A Car Park at Hare Hill SANG

• Antisocial Behaviour at Hare Hill

There is work on-going around these issues.

🎠 Murray House Playground Consultation

The Murray House (Palmer Crescent) playground consultation is progressing with the view of upgrading it with our request to use some of our neighbourhood money to part fund.

What was discussed

• The Community Development Project Officer from Runnymede Borough Council will soon distribute (online and into schools) a questionnaire asking for community input on what equipment they would like at this park in the future.

• Members agreed that gathering feedback from families, children, and regular playground users will be essential in shaping the final design.

  
  

🌐 Website Redevelopment Update

We are still working on a new, cleaner, more modern version of the Neighbourhood Forum website.

Progress so far

• The new site retains the existing web address, but with a refreshed interface.

• The updated version will be demonstrated at the next ONF Steering Committee meeting (12th Feb).

• Once approved, the team will begin uploading the latest content.

📢 Runnymede Borough Council Consultation

Runnymede is proposing an Article 4 Direction to stop commercial buildings on key employment sites being turned into housing without full planning permission. This includes Hillswood Business Park in our neighbourhood Area.

🗓️ Consultation runs 30 Jan – 13 Mar 2026

📍 Documents available online + local libraries

💬 Have your say and learn what this could mean for local jobs, business space and development.

More info on the Council website.

Should you wish to be consulted during the preparation of Supplementary Planning Documents, please add your details to the Planning Policy and Strategy consultation database. Consultation Database

🚗 A320 Ottershaw Roundabout

SCC have been challenged on their procedures to stop 2 key planning applications coming back to committee for review.  

It was agreed that we should try to get media interest in our case as a priority.

🗓️ Upcoming Meetings

• February 12th: Steering Committee meeting

• February 26th: Steering Committee meeting

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We’re committed to transparency and collaboration as we move forward with these important pieces of work. Stay tuned for more updates, and don’t forget to check the blog regularly for the latest news.