The Village Association (VA) is pleased to inform its members that the long running dispute with Caterham Barracks Community Trust (CBCT) with regard the Playground, located behind the Arc, has been resolved and following the signing of the legal documentation by all parties, the Freehold has now transferred to Tandridge District Council (TDC).

The money withheld, circa £28,000, from CBCT by the VA in 2015/16 will now be paid to TDC along with a payment by the Parish Council to refurbish the playground. Residents may recall a petition and resident engagement in 2015 by then resident and Parish Councillor, Caroline Warner on the design and equipment for the new play area. We are pleased to report that TDC have been able to secure agreement on the pricing from 2016, and that they are planning to commence work in the Spring of 2018.

As part of the transfer agreement, there will be an annual safety inspection to ensure the equipment and play area is both safe and being properly maintained.

The negotiations include the transfer of the Freeholds for

• Cricket Green & Pavilion

• Rifle Range

• Sports Ground (Football Pitches behind Fox Pub)

• Gymnasium (The Arc)

The Freeholds had not previously transferred to CBCT but should have done 7+ years ago under the original terms of the development. CBCT had the Leaseholds but Linden retained the Freeholds. The terms are complex but we have agreed clauses in both the Rent Charge Deed and the Freehold Transfers to help try and ensure that CBCT spend residents money in future on repairing the assets under their control and that any proposed change of use of those assets in the future will require VA consent, such consent is not to be unreasonably withheld.

These have been challenging, frustrating and a lengthy set of negotiations for all involved but it is the VA’s hope that this can be a watershed moment which can be used to build a better relationship between the VA and CBCT going forward, as we believe this would be to the benefit of all residents, businesses and users of the development.