Welcome to Horsell Common Preservation Society
The Horsell Common Preservation Society owns and manages 
Horsell Common,
which is one of only a handful of privately owned areas of common land in England with public access. Other commons in the area that are owned by the Society include Pyrford Common, Littlewick Common and Woodham Common. Together with several other smaller areas of common, The Horsell Common Preservation Society's land holdings extend to around 80% of Woking's public open space.
The Society Trustees who manage the common, do so with great care out of respect for the wildlife living there and the general environment. This Internet site will, we hope, tell you what you need to know about the place that helps define Woking as a wonderful area in which to live.
Report from our Chairman David Robbins
The Board of Trustees which were elected at the Annual General Meeting has appointed me as the Chairman for the forthcoming year. It is a daunting prospect since every year throws up new challenges and it will be difficult to fill John Durrant's shoes. As you may know, he threw himself into the task of running the Society with huge energy and kept the ship steady through some significant storms and challenges. I would like to thank John again for all his work for the Society during his time as our Chairman. It was John who ensured that we were well advised professionally on the process of appointing our first full time paid manager. As a result I believe the selection process was fair and equitable. Having appointed Paul Rimmer in that role we are beginning to realise that having a full time employed Manager was a large and important step forward for the Society. The management process for a body like ours has become so much more complex both legally and environmentally. We will see how things progress over the years ahead but I am sure you will see significant improvements.
The other recent development, which you may be aware of, is the latest planning application from McLaren. They want to build car production facility or factory on the open land between their existing Technology Centre and the southern boundary of their site which would position it right on our boundary. Whilst the potential for new jobs will no doubt be welcomed, I think it is our job to protect the Green Belt and more specifically the Common. The Company's plans will seek to shield the building from the road and the parkland behind but there is no doubt that the openness of this part of the Green Belt will be severely compromised. It is particularly upsetting for the Society since, when the plans for the Technology Centre were passed in 1996, we received promises that this land would remain open and unbuilt. I hope you will understand our position in this matter since I have no doubt there may be some adverse publicity. Your Board of Trustees will be considering this issue very carefully as the saga unfolds and I will keep you informed.
David Robbins
