A Page for the MoD discussion team - Pat, Jenny, Leif + advisers
The outcome of the discussion on the replacement DZ car park at today's Hankley Conservation meeting. Pat Murphy 26/3/12
Briefly, the MoD explained:
- the approach to WBC about the Houndown Lane site was primarily to establish whether or not there would be a need for planning consent. The dimensions of the car park have not yet been determined, but Col Bishop said he was thinking in terms of space for 20-25 vehicles. This would require a larger area than 20x15m. The Parish Council will be consulted when the details have been firmed up. The MoD are reluctant to replicate the size of the current car park as this was constructed for military not civilian use, ie including larger vehicles and buses, and they did not want to create a car park which would act as a magnet for large numbers of visitors, including organised parties. Military vehicles would not use the new car park. It was unlikely that the MOD would start any work on the project in the near future.
- they planned very shortly to improve the capacity of the Pitch Place pull-in, not by enlarging the perimeter but by removing some of the obstacles (eg tree roots) within the existing perimeter. It was hoped this could add about 10 spaces. The aim would be to distribute visitor activity more evenly across the commons.
- the MoD welcomed the PC's offer to provide and service a litter bin at the new car park. They would get back to us on this. Sean Edwards said Thursley PC would probably wish to be associated with the provision of litter bins.
I suggest we monitor normal usage of the current car park (ie after the current surge relating to the filmimg activity has abated) to see whether a 20-25 space car park would be sufficient to cater for day-to-day visitor numbers.
I asked about the work to improve the flow on Sandford Brook. MoD confirmed that they did not plan any further works as they did not feel they would help. I said that the ditch beyond the current works was still badly constricted and if it were cleared the water levles were likely to fall. It was agreed that I would meet Landmarc officers to walk the site next week to see if further work would be worthwhile.