We have recently completed the construction of a bat barn to re-home a group of brown long-eared bats.

The bats were identified in one of the buildings and extensive surveys were carried out over a number of years to understand their population and behaviour.

Re-homing these bats has been necessary due to future construction activities that would disrupt them. We have therefore constructed a bat barn which is a timber building specifically designed to host this species of bats. This mitigation is being carried out under licence granted by Natural England.

The brown long-eared bat is a protected species in the UK and they are most commonly seen around April to October. They have huge ears and need plenty of space to roost in and forage around. At rest, they tuck their ears under their wings to keep them safe. They are known as the whispering bat, as they silently track their prey to catch them with stealth, using their exceptional sense of direction when foraging. As with all UK bats, they are nocturnal, but you might spot them at dusk when they come out to feed on midges and moths.

The Deepcut Neighbourhood Forum are working on the final stages of creating the Deepcut Neighbourhood Plan. This plan seeks to shape and enhance Deepcut and surrounding area and to improve opportunities and quality of life for all and to create a more prosperous local economy.

The Deepcut Neighbourhood Plan must reflect the aspirations and needs of all those living and working in the village.

On the website www.deepcutforum.org.uk there is an another opportunity for local people to comment on their vision for Deepcut to ensure that the plan currently in development accurately reflects residents and local businesses views.

Please make the most of this opportunity to have your say, about your village.

We would like to take this opportunity to send the whole community our very best wishes for a safe and happy festive season.

Thank you to everyone who has engaged with us over the past year. It has been difficult to meet face-to-face so we really appreciate that you have stayed in touch with us, and would like to thank everyone who has taken part in our socially-distanced community activities. We are really looking forward to being able engage with the community more closely in 2021.

Christmas is going to be different for all of us this year, now more than ever it feels important to embrace our community spirit. Last week Revd Daniel Natnael and Leisliane Garcia, Development Director, switched on our joint Christmas Tree outside St. Barbaras Chruch. We hope this will add to the local festive atmosphere and will be enjoyed by the whole community.

Carol Singing

Revd Daniel Natnael would like to invite you for an informal carol singing in St.Barbara’s Church Car Park around the Christmas Tree on Saturday 19th December at 5pm for half an hour. Please dress warmly, keep social distancing, wear a mask, bring your own torch, mulled wine (or equivalent), mince pies, and be ready to have a good sing together!

We are delighted to have recently finished construction on the new 2-form entry primary school and nursery in Mindenhurst. The building was handed over to Surrey County Council on 15th January. We look forward to the school opening and becoming a community hub and focal point in the area.

The central location was chosen to ensure connectivity with the walking and cycling routes throughout the village. The primary school can accommodate 420 pupils which will meet the growing demand of the existing and new community. The primary school has 14 classrooms all with adjoining bathrooms and includes all relevant facilities such as: two halls, a music room, modern kitchen, student cookery room, library, medical bay, and staff room. Outside there are: two multi games pitches, a hard play area and running track, a habitat area with 143 trees and over 3000 shrubs, and 2 bicycle stores. The nursery will provide spaces for 52 children offering, full day care facilities, with an external play area separate to the primary school.

Surrey County Council confirmed that they are committed to opening the primary school and are working to establish an academy trust to run the school. As a new school they need to ensure there are enough pupils to make it viable and will therefore only open once there are additional new homes built on the development. They explained that opening a new school too early would have a significant impact on other local schools and the Council is trying to avoid this happening so that existing schools remain sustainable. The Council is working with other local schools to ensure that a primary school at Mindenhurst is opened to the benefit of residents in the local area and the wider community.