Hurst Meadows is an important part of Molesey Hurst containing a rich ecology of wildflowers and insects. It is greatly enjoyed by local residents, dog walkers, children etc. and expertly managed by Elmbridge Borough Council.

East Molesey Cricket Club proposed building a second pitch in the heart of Hurst Meadows. Wildflower meadow habitat would have been lost in order to raise and level the ground and seed it for mown grass in an area still maturing as water meadows and woodland.

Hurst Meadows was created as a result of a housing development built nearby some 20 years ago, thanks to a planning obligation negotiated with the developers in 1989 by Elmbridge Council. Many people who visit the Meadows have witnessed their improvement since the area was first planted with some 2,000 trees and seeded with native grasses and flowers. There was public dismay at the prospect of losing the heart of this very rare habitat, a jewel in Elmbridge, to mown grass.

There was an informal meeting on the Meadows in early July 2011 between local residents and users of the Meadows and two representatives from East Molesey Cricket Club. Several points of concern were raised in relation to the proposal for a cricket pitch, which included:

The importance of public access at all times, particularly for families and dog walkers; conflicts of interests between formal sporting activity and informal quiet enjoyment of Hurst Meadows by members of the public; loss of rare habitat and biodiversity on what is a maturing nature conservation site; health and safety - dangers to the public from cricket balls; flood plain - the meadows flood most years; the proposal raises and levels ground to provide a platform and mown area; traffic and parking with increasing use for formal sporting activities; lighting, noise and disturbance with increasing use for formal sporting activities; adverse impacts on the wider river environment, habitat and ecology; risk of cumulative impacts from a new pitch and pavilion, with year-round lettings for formal sporting activity in a treasured quiet area of riverside open space; concerns about appropriation by a private membership sports club of a popular publicly owned asset funded by public money.

The point was also made that there were alternatives nearby for a second cricket pitch at the Pavilion Sports Club grounds or on land at Hurst Pool. Mr Jon Elworthy, club secretary, said that the club wanted to expand and the site was ideal because it was the most convenient. The other club member present was Patrick Talbot, chairman.

Click here to see the Second Pitch Proposal on East Molesey Cricket Club website.

Those concerned on health and safety grounds about the proposal emphasised the risks from cricket balls in a place where many families picnic and play. It was felt there were risks to those using the Thames towpath, including anglers. Adults and children also use the trim trail equipment sited on the paths that would bound the pitch.

There were other concerns raised too. The cricket club stated in its proposals that it intended to let out any new facilities to other clubs to make optimum use of them year round. It was felt that this ambition to expand would put pressures on the delicate ecology of Hurst Meadows and the River Thames, itself a site of nature conservation importance; formal sporting activities would lead to more intensive use of a highly sensitive area, introducing lighting, traffic, noise, numbers and general disturbance. This would in time jeopardise the quiet enjoyment users derived from visiting Hurst Meadows and have an adverse impact on wildlife.

There was also a call for more information about the ecology and the need for an environmental audit of a maturing watermeadow and mixed habitat. The whole area of Hurst Park, including Hurst Meadows and Little Hurst Meadows, is designated Suburban Open Undeveloped Land; it lies within the Thames Policy Area and within the zone of the Special Protection Area of the South West London Waterbodies. The River Thames itself is a nature conservation site of regional importance.

A council consultation on the cricket club's proposals showed overwhelming support from local people for keeping Hurst Meadows as they are. Please click here to see the consultation on Elmbridge Council's website.

Please click here to go back to the Hurst Meadows page