News & Roadworks
information on decisions made by Felbridge Parish Council can be found on the Minutes page and comments on application can be found on the Planning Comments page. Information on how to report a problem is on the Reporting an Issue page. CONTACT: clerk@felbridge-pc.gov.uk The Clerk's scheduled hours are sixteen per week and on flexible days for operational reasons.
INFORMATION ON ROADWORKS IN FELBRIDGE can be found on https://one.network/ Search by postcode for scheduled works. Felbridge Parish Council share information on roadworks to raise awareness but have no control over the dates, duration or location.
Last Updated 8 July 2025
SCHEDULED ROADWORKS
A22/A264 Star Junction - Resurfacing
Provisional dates have been set for resurfacing at the Star Junction. Works will take place between 15-23 August, during the school holidays, and are expected to be overnight only (8.00pm-6.00am). The Traffic Restriction Order covers "A22 London Road, Felbridge which extends from its junction with The Glebe southwards to the boundary between the District of Tandridge and West Sussex County Council".
A264 Copthorne Road - Resurfacing
Provisional dates have been set for the resurfacing of the A264 Copthorne Road between Rowplatt Lane and Furnace Wood. The permit dates are 24th July to 9th August during the school summer holidays. The permit is for a full closure and it is expected that most works will take place overnight (8.00pm-6.00am). The works are described by Surrey Highways as 'major resurfacing and full reconstruction including civils works where necessary' so should also address the flooding issues on this stretch of road. The Traffic Restriction Order for these works covers 'the A246 Copthorne Road, Felbridge which extends from its junction with the western arm of Lake View Road to its junction with Crawley Down Road' . As and when updates are received, Felbridge Parish Council will share information in order to increase awareness.
Imberhorne Lane (beyond Heathcote Drive to Turners Hill Road) Closed 4-8 July 9.30am-2.30pm; 19-23 July 9.30am-2.30pm - Resurfacing
Lake View Road (Furnace Wood Layby) | Closed 14-16 July Resurfacing
Crawley Down Road/Warren Close | Two-way lights 1-19 September SGN (gas works)
CRAWLEY DOWN ROAD - EVELYN CHESTNUT TREES/GRASS CUTTING
Evelyn Chestnut Trees: Tandridge District Council’s Tree Officer is the arboricultural expert responsible for managing the Evelyn Chestnuts in Felbridge. Their advice is that basal or epicormic growth is a natural, common occurrence. It is a tree producing photosynthetic material (leaves) to produce energy. The trees are simply doing what comes natural to them.
The removal of basal growth is mainly carried out to improve timber quality, modify the look of a tree or to avoid obstructions to paths, roads and sightlines. While the Evelyn Chestnuts are not being damaged by the presence of basal growth, as it is causing an obstruction to the footpath alongside, TDC have arranged for professional Tree Surgeons to remove the base growth and to crown lift the chestnuts to improve sightlines. Residents are asked to leave these works to the professionals and not cut back any growth which could risk damaging these historic trees.
Grass Verge Cuts: TDC have have now completed a grass cut of the verges on the Crawley Down Road and confirm that they have been reinstated to the cutting schedule. This will be monitored. While Surrey Highways are responsible for most roadside grass cuts, the Village Green and Crawley Down Road verges are Common Land which is managed by TDC.
PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE FUTURE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN SURREY
Residents are encouraged to have their say on plans to reorganise local government in Surrey. The government proposal is to move from a two-tier system, where Surrey County Council and Tandridge District Council share responsibility for council services, to a Unitary Authority system which would result in both existing councils being disbanded and either two or three new Unitary Authorities being created. The new Unitary Authorities will be responsible for delivering all services. To view and comment please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/surrey-local-government-reorganisation. Deadline 5th August.
Felbridge Parish Council agrees with Tandridge District Council that the three unitary model would better reflect local identities; maintain a strong local connection to its communities and be more democratically accountable with three councillors for each division.
RESTRICTION TO LAND off the A22 near the Star Junction: Surrey County Council advise that agents acting on behalf of the owners of land off the A22 in Felbridge bordering the cricket club, St. John's Church, the Limes and back to the Dormansland border have served a notice restricting access to the land. Under section 15A(1) of the Commons Act 2006, they "wish to bring to an end any period during which persons may have indulged as of right in lawful sports and pastimes on the whole or any part of the land". There are no public footpaths over this land.
TDC - CHANGES TO BIN COLLECTIONS IN FELBRIDGE
From w/c 23 June, Tandridge District Council and Biffa will be making changes to some recycling and rubbish collections across the district so all addresses will have the same collection schedule. This will not affect the number or frequency of collections. Please use the postcode checker on the Council’s website at www.tandridge.gov.uk/binchanges to check your schedule.
ROWPLATT LANE ROAD SAFETY REVIEW
In response to multiple concerns from residents regarding Rowplatt Lane increasingly being used as a ‘rat run’, Felbridge Parish Council and Cllr. Lesley Steeds asked Surrey Highways to conduct a safety survey. This acknowledges that vehicles turning right on to Rowplatt Lane from queuing traffic on the Copthorne Road drive at unsafe speeds along Rowplatt Lane and Crawley Down Road in an effort to ‘beat the queue’. Having looked at options, Surrey Highways consider the most feasible solution would be for the junction of Rowplatt Lane and Copthorne Road to be placed under a ‘point no entry’ traffic order. This would mean that those vehicles could no longer enter Rowplatt Lane from Copthorne Road. Rowplatt Lane itself would remain a two way road with full access at the Crawley Down Road junction and drivers would still be able to exit Rowplatt Lane on to the Copthorne Road.
It is considered that this would put a stop to the ‘rat run’ issue while having a lesser impact on local residents compared to other options. It would also make it more difficult for HGVs to use the road as a cut through; address the issue of vehicles turning left from the Copthorne Road in the middle of the road; and make it easier for pedestrians to cross at that point. The next steps will be a design feasibility study followed by public engagement and consultation. Residents living on and off Rowplatt Lane will be consulted and all residents will be able to comment on the proposals.
It is hoped that addressing this major road safety concern would encourage families who have said they don’t feel safe walking their children to school to go back to walking rather than driving. This would further reduce traffic and improve parking on Crawley Down Road. Details of how to comment will be provided when available. While acknowledging that this proposal would be inconvenient for some people, Felbridge Parish Council's priority is the safety of residents so they support the proposal. Cllr. Steeds has also asked for Rowplatt Lane to be included in a Tandridge District parking review scheduled to take place over the summer.
PLANNING ENFORCEMENT - SITE AT DORMER COTTAGE, WOODCOCK HILL
Felbridge Parish Council submitted a report to Tandridge District Council Planning Enforcement regarding clearance works taking place on the site of Dormer Cottage, Woodock Hill, which do not comply with the planning permission granted for the site. This includes the clearance of all vegetation. It was a condition of planning that all trees and vegetation were to be retained and protected. It has also been noted that a tarmac base has been laid and three mobile homes moved on to the site. Within days, TDC Planning Enforcment served a Temporary Stop Order stating that all works must cease. Despite this, the landowner went on to demolish the bungalow on site and add some fencing. TDC have made a further site visit and their investigations continue. Ref. no. ENF/2025/71
FELBRIDGE SPEEDWATCH
Speedwatch volunteers, trained and supported by Surrey Police, are now carrying out regular speed checks on the Copthorne and Crawley Down Roads in Felbridge. At the most recent session, 15 vehicles on Crawley Down Road and 16 on the Copthorne Road were detected exceeding the speed limit near to Felbridge Primary School. If anyone would like to volunteer with the Speedwatch group to help keep our roads safer, please email cllr.hall@felbridge-pc.gov.uk
PARKING
Drivers are reminded not to park on footpaths or facing or close to driveways or access roads. Parking on narrow footpaths is classed as obstruction as it forces pedestrians, including those with pushchairs or wheelchairs, to walk in the road which puts them in unnecessary danger. Parking facing a driveway or access road or too close to a dropped kerb makes it difficult and sometimes dangerous for residents to access or exit their driveways. Please just stop and look around after parking to ensure you are not inadvertently causing an obstruction.
NEW CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN
At the Annual Meeting of Felbridge Parish Council on Thursday 1st May 2025, Cllr. Stephen Hall was elected as Chairman for the year 2025-26 and Cllr. Alex Horwood was elected as Vice Chairman. Cllr. Jeremy Clarke continues as Planning Chairman.
COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
- Are you fed up with speeding motorists in Crawley Down Road and Copthorne Road?
- Do you value safety above the ‘need for speed’
- Can you spare an hour a month?
Felbridge Parish Council have restarted the Community Speedwatch Group in response to concerns about safety due to speeding vehicles. Cllr. Stephen Hall is the group co-ordinator. The group is currently undergoing training from Surrey Police before starting operations. The intention is to try to reduce the risks to children and other pedestrians from speeding motorists. If you can spare an hour or more a month then please join our group. Full training is given by experienced Traffic Police Officers and Speedwatch volunteers. Please contact Councillor Stephen Hall for more information on cllr.hall@felbridge-pc.gov.uk.
SKATEBOARD RAMP
The surface of the skateboard ramp has been replaced and it is now available for use. Please note that this facility is intended for use by skateboarders rather than as a play area for young children.
FELBRIDGE ANNUAL VILLAGE MEETING
Thanks to everyone who came along to the Annual Village Meeting on 10th April. We will keep the website updated with information on the new Unitary Authorities; MSDC developments; roads and highways issues (including traffic calming for Crawley Down Road) and the road safety improvement proposals for Rowplatt Lane.
IMBERHORNE LANE DEVELOPMENT
Mid Sussex District Council planning committee unanimously approved this development on 13th February. It will include 550 dwellings and up to 150 care home rooms/apartments along with sports facilities, a community building and land set aside for a school (which WSCC say is not currently needed) and space for a GP facility.
FELBRIDGE PARISH COUNCIL PRECEPT INCREASE
In order to meet forecast budget expenditure for the financial year 2025-26, at their meeting in November 2024 councillors approved a total precept increase of £5K for the financial year. This is mainly to create a budget for general maintenance including removing overgrown vegetation, hedge cutting in public areas and maintaining facilities. The average Band D property increase will be less than £5 per property for the full financial year. Felbridge Parish Council's total precept for a Band D average is £29.87 per property, per year which is lower than all neighbouring authorities and remains one of the lowest in the Tandridge District.
NEW PLAYGROUND
Felbridge Parish Council are delighted to have been able to provide new playground equipment.
- SWINGS including a basket swing and a You & Me swing with seats facing each other
- ROUNDABOUT suitable for use by all ages and abilities
- CONE TWISTER moving, climbing challenge
- SWAY ALLEY with moving horizontal steps for balancing skills
- SEE SAW with back supports to one side for all ages
- SOMERSAULT RING different heights for group play
- TODDLER MAGIC BUSH to promote social play
The new base was laid on top of the old base to avoid it going to landfill.
SHELTER The shelter has been refurbished, repainted and the grafitti removed.
CCTV in Felbridge Village Hall Grounds New and updated equpment has now been installed to deter further vandalism. This includes an additional camera to cover a blind spot. All cameras now operate at a much higher resolution than before in the interests of safety and as a deterrent to vandals. Anyone witnessing any act of vandalism is asked to call 999 and make a report. Doing so will ensure that the Police have a record of the exact timing and CCTV footage can be more quickly assessed. Felbridge Parish Council will seek to recover costs from anyone found guilty of vandalism or criminal damage to equipment and facilities.
TANDRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL ELECTION 2ND MAY 2024
Councillor Lesley Steeds, Councillor Sir Nicholas White and Councillor Nicola O'Riordan have been elected to the Dormansland and Felbridge Group at Tandridge District Council.
GRASS VERGE CUTTING MAP AND SCHEDULE
Surrey Highways have taken over responsibility for grass verge cuts from Felbridge Parish Council. They have published a map which shows the type of cut (Urban within 30mph zone and Rural elsewhere). The link is https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/c34756a8324440f58d15bd562eb6a10e Search by postcode and click on any area to see the schedule for the next two cuts.
SPORTS FACILITIES IN VILLAGE HALL GROUNDS (King George's Field)
Replacement goal posts and a new basketball hoop have been installed in the Village Hall grounds. Funds are being set aside towards the replacement of the surface on the Skateboard Ramp.
OVERGROWN HEDGES AND VEGETATION ALONGSIDE FOOTPATHS
To report footpaths which are being obstructed by overgrown hedges, please report, including a photograph if possible, to SCC on https://www9.surreycc.gov.uk/HighwayIssue/whatistheissue.aspx?&code=thgw-hdg If the vegetation is on SCC land and they consider it an obstruction they will have it cleared. If the vegetation is on private land, e.g. a hedge alongside a pavement which belongs to a property or landowner, SCC will carry out an inspection. If it is considered to endanger or obstruct road and pavement users, they will contact the owner requesting that they cut it back. If the overgrown tree or hedge is not cut back by the owner within their timescales, they may also serve them with a notice to do the work under Section 154 of the Highways Act 1980.
MID SUSSEX DISTRICT COUNCIL DEVELOPMENTS IN FELBRIDGE
Despite considerable local opposition, MSDC Councillors have voted in favour of their Development Site Allocations document which includes the site off Crawley Down Road to either side of the Gullege Bridleway. Barratt Homes have already prepared plans for 200 dwellings on this site. Felbridge Parish Council strongly opposed their pre-planning application on grounds including lack of infrastructure and facilities, the inability of the local roads network to cope and the loss of green fields. Surrey Highways would have to approve the access road since it opens on to a Surrey/Tandridge road. Felbridge Parish Council are working with the support of Surrey County Councillor Lesley Steeds. This would be the fourth MSDC development on the Felbridge border which would mean a total of 350 dwellings accessed from Felbridge roads.
Sports Facilities - King George's Field, (Felbridge Village Hall Grounds)
A new all weather table tennis table with an extended base has been added to the facilities in the Village Hall grounds and the basketball hoop and board have been replaced. Along with the skateboard ramp and outdoor gym, the improved facilities offer more for older children and teenagers. Replacement goal posts are scheduled to be in place by the end of December (weather permitting)
Green Belt Planning Application - Land near Double Dee, Star Junction (2021)
Surrey Highways have recommended the nine property development near to the Star Junction (21/2187) for refusal due to specific access concerns and because the junction is “already over-capacity and suffers from significant queuing at peak traffic hours…not acceptable to the Highway Authority”.
Felbridge Parish Council's response to the application for nine affordable homes to be built on Green Belt land next to Kwik Fit near the Star Junction can be found under the Planning Comments tab.
Housing Survey not supported by Felbridge Parish Council (2021)
A housing survey has been distributed to Felbridge residents. Felbridge Parish Council (FPC) became aware of facts relating to this survey which they believed should be disclosed to residents in the accompanying covering letter. That request was declined. Therefore, in the interests of transparency, FPC wish to share this information directly with residents.
• Unusually, the survey relates to a specific Green Belt site (near Kwik Fit on the A22) and has been commissioned by a developer.
• An application for nine detached houses by the same company, on the same site, was refused in 2016 since the land is in the Green Belt.
• The original application (2016/1840) was made by Millwood Designer Homes
• The survey has been commissioned by Places for People. Millwood Designer Homes is owned by Places for People.
• Places for People is funding the operational costs of the survey so may decide against openly sharing the full results.
• The survey timetable has been rushed since Places for People have already said they intend submitting a planning application in early summer.
Felbridge Parish Council have stated that they would welcome a carefully considered housing survey, undertaken solely to ascertain need, which was neither site specific, developer driven or rushed.
However, the objective behind this survey is to enable a developer to build on Green Belt land close to the busy Star Junction. Felbridge Parish Council cannot support this survey since it is considered to serve the developer’s interests, rather than those of Felbridge residents.Imberhorne Lane Waste and Recycling Centre
For up to date information please visit http://www.recycleforwestsussex.org/recycling-sites/east-grinstead/. The Centre is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and visitors need to bring ID and proof of residency. Surrey County Council have made a payment to West Sussex County Council as part of an agreement to allow Felbridge residents to continue to use facility. Please note that the agreement covers cars only. The full list of postcodes included in the agreement are: RH19 2, RH7 6, RH10 3,,RH19 3, TN8 7, TN8 5 and TN8 6.
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
Emergency contact numbers, email address and website addresses for all the council agencies and utilities providers has been uploaded below. Please scroll down and open the folder named 'Emergency Contact Details'.
Tandridge District Council Additional Recycling - Door Step Collection
You can recycle textiles, paired shoes, small electrical items and batteries every week in your own plastic bags, by leaving them out with your food waste caddy. For further information visit https://www.tandridge.gov.uk/Recycling-and-rubbish/Recycling/Textiles-electricals-and-battery-collections.
DEFIBRILLATOR
A defibrillator is located in the porch next to the entrance doors to Felbridge Village Hall. To access the equipment you first need to dial 999 and the emergency services will provide a code to open the cabinet. The equipment works automatically with audible instructions on use. It will not work if not correctly positioned so is safe to use. The equipment and location were selected with advice from our local First Responder and SECAmb.