Thames Landscape Strategy - Hampton to Kew -

Hurst Park & Molesey Riverside

The Thames Landscape Strategy in partnership with Elmbridge Borough Council and Surrey County Council have carried out a number of consultation exercises with Molesey residents, on whether there is a need for a management plan for Hurst Park and Molesey Riverside between Hampton Court Bridge and Hurst Park. On Saturday 3rd October, the Thames Landscape Strategy attended an open day with their marquee, asking residents to give their opinions on how they would like to see the area’s landscape managed in the future. The day was a great success with over 300 people attending.

The next step in the consultation was a mailout of a questionnaire to all residents in the area through the Hurst Park Residents Association. The questionnaire was structured around a number of different management issues, ranging from access, signage and sports facilities through to scrub management, wildlife and biodiversity. Over 80 responses were received from local residents, both from the Molesey bank as well as the Hampton bank, along with a number of responses from residents of Garrick’s Ait. Both the residents association and the Thames
Landscape Strategy are pleased with the response rate, as the questionnaire was relatively long and postage had to be covered by respondents.

The findings from the survey showed an overwhelming majority in favour of a conservation management plan being developed for the riverside. Results also showed that residents were united in their views on a number of key issues. The key findings of the consultation will be drawn together in a report, which will be fed back to Elmbridge Borough Council and Surrey County Council. This report will also be fed back to the local community via the very active Hurst Park Residents Association.