Newsletter - Thu 17 Jul, 2025

By David Grantham

A southbound closure of Reigate Hill is due to start on Monday, Corzo Lounge has closed, and two dairy farmers in South Nutfield have converted a milk float to sell their nature-friendly local produce; more on these after news in brief.

News in brief

Gatton Community Theatre’s next production, this December, is Nativity and there’s a workshop this Sunday (20 July) in Merstham for adults and those over 10 who are interested in taking part, either as performers or backstage. More details here (Abre numa nova janela).

Bids for a share of £500,000 to support local facilities and services are being invited (Abre numa nova janela) by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council. The money is from Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds, which developers are required to contribute to. Recent allocations of CIL have included £1.75 million towards Scout headquarters in Earlswood, a £1 million contribution to fixing the RAAC at the Harlequin, 850k towards the forthcoming arts and culture venue in Unit 5 of the Rise, and £1.8 million towards Surrey’s proposed Three Arch Road junction improvement scheme.

Solar Together, the group buying scheme that aims to helps residents buy solar panels and battery storage at a competitive price, has been relaunched (Abre numa nova janela) by Surrey County Council, who say that “householders can register online to become part of the group for free and without obligation”. The scheme also offers retrofit battery storage for those who already have solar panels, as well as optional EV charge points.

Ninja swords can be handed in, and their owners compensated, at Caterham, Guildford and Staines police stations in a scheme running until 31 July, ahead of the weapons becoming illegal to possess, sell or manufacture from 1 August. More information including how to safely hand them in is here (Abre numa nova janela).

Ten kilos of cocaine have been taken off the streets, and four men given jail sentences at Guildford Crown Court, after a police operation (Abre numa nova janela) that included search warrants being executed in Reigate, Redhill, Horley and Crawley in May last year.

Planning permission has been granted for the proposed performing arts venue at Reigate & Banstead Borough Council’s Rise development, in Redhill. The facility will be located in vacant Unit 5, opposite the Light cinema. The venue will be additional to the Harlequin which is due to reopen in spring 2027. More from the Local Democracy Reporting service here (Abre numa nova janela).

The “most exciting and diverse holiday activity programme yet” arranged by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council runs 23 July - 29 August. Children can take part in activities at locations across the borough, including scooting, skateboarding, multi-sports, filmmaking, outdoor adventures, treasure hunting, art sessions, lego building, African drumming, junk jewellery making, Athletix Kids, and more. There are also sports sessions specifically designed for those with SEND. Pricing (starting at £3 per session), discounts and booking details are here (Abre numa nova janela).

County councillors have unanimously passed a motion calling for changes to the Government’s planning and infrastructure bill so as to preserve existing environmental protections. In particular, councillors are unhappy that the bill (which aims to make it easier to build homes and big infrastructure projects) would allow developers to bypass current environmental rules and instead put money into a nature restoration fund. More from the Local Democracy Reporting Service here (Abre numa nova janela).

Reigate Hill southbound closure set to start on Monday