CCTV cameras have been installed in Tilgate Park car park to help protect the enjoyment of the park and to drive out any antisocial driving. The decision by Crawley Borough Council is supported by Sussex Police.  

Following a review of concerns raised by local residents over a period of time, the police and council agreed that the installation of CCTV cameras was the most appropriate way of deterring unacceptable. antisocial behaviour and support enforcement action taken by either the police or council.

Tilgate Park is a much-loved destination enjoyed by thousands of visitors every year. However, we recognise that there have been a few individuals whose behaviour has had an impact on residents who live nearby. This is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the council.

Therefore, working with Sussex Police we have made the decision to install CCTV into the car park to deter the small amount of people who have caused upset to those that live nearby.

Councillor Chris Mullins

Cabinet member for Leisure and Wellbeing

Crawley Borough Council

We have listened carefully to concerns from residents and have carried out neighbourhood patrols to better understand the issues being experienced in and around Tilgate Park. The installation of CCTV will provide an additional tool to help identify vehicles and individuals involved in antisocial driving and support any necessary enforcement action. We hope the presence of cameras will act as a deterrent and reassure residents that we are committed to addressing the issues they have reported.

Inspector Ollie Buckton

Sussex Police

Both organisations emphasised that the project demonstrates the value of positive partnership working to address local concerns. By combining community feedback, local policing knowledge and council resources, the initiative aims to improve the experience of visitors, reduce nuisance behaviour and support the wellbeing of residents living near the park.

The council and Sussex Police will continue to monitor the situation and work together to ensure Tilgate Park remains a safe, welcoming and enjoyable place for everyone.

Crawley Borough Council has refurbished the Hanbury Road and Woodcroft Road Play Areas in Ifield West ahead of the summer holidays, marking the completion of this latest phase of the council’s wider playground investment programme.

The refurbishments have been fully funded by developers through Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy payments. Each scheme has been designed by contractor Proludic Limited to create a strong first impression and reflect the local character, with bespoke features tailored to the area.

Hanbury Road Play Area has been transformed into a vibrant, wildlife-themed destination inspired by the nearby Millpond, creating a distinctive identity that reflects the character of the local area.

The nature-inspired design features a bespoke swan springer, pond explorer play panel, butterfly sensory panel, wheelchair accessible roundabout, owl-themed multiplay unit and toadstool stepping features, all set within a striking two-tone wet pour safety surface. Blue surfacing represents the water of the Millpond, while green surfacing reflects the surrounding grass banks.

The Woodcroft Road redesigned play area takes inspiration from its location alongside the railway line and Crawley’s longstanding role as a major transport hub, featuring a unique planes, trains and automobiles theme throughout. Bespoke play features celebrate the town’s transport connections, including a Crawley station ticket office play panel and an aeroplane-themed play panel inspired by nearby Gatwick Airport.

The new play equipment includes a combination swing featuring cradle swing and flat swing, themed jeep play unit, looping springer and accessible play panels installed at wheelchair-friendly height.

Councillor Michael Jones, Leader of Crawley Borough Council, Councillor Chris Mullins, Cabinet member for Leisure and Wellbeing, and local ward councillors Councillor Grainne Conway (Ifield) and Councillor Julian Charatan (Ifield) visited the Hanbury Road and Woodcroft Road play areas on Friday to mark the reopening.

We are delighted to have completed this latest phase of our playground improvement programme just in time for the summer holidays, providing local children and families with free, accessible opportunities for outdoor play close to home. This investment demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality play facilities and encouraging active, healthy lifestyles within local communities.

With the six play areas refurbished in this latest phase, this brings the total number of upgraded sites across the borough to 44 since 2015. These improvements have been funded through Section 106 contributions, ensuring investment from new developments continues to benefit local communities.

Councillor Chris Mullins

Cabinet member for Leisure and Wellbeing

Crawley Borough Council

We are proud to have completed all six playground improvement projects delivered as part of Crawley Borough Council’s wider unsupervised play investment programme. It has been a pleasure working in partnership with the council to transform community play spaces across the borough, creating more inclusive, engaging and accessible places for children and families.

The final two schemes at Hanbury Road and Woodcroft Road demonstrate how even smaller neighbourhood play areas can have a significant impact on local communities. From the Millpond-inspired wildlife theme at Hanbury Road to the transport-themed design celebrating Crawley’s rail and aviation links at Woodcroft Road, both projects have created distinctive spaces that reflect their local surroundings while maximising play value and accessibility.

We hope all six refurbished play areas will be enjoyed by local communities for many years to come and leave a lasting legacy for future generations of Crawley residents.

Tim Bird

Senior Area Manager (South East)

Proludic Limited

Reigate and Banstead Council is inviting residents, landlords, property owners and others to comment on proposals to introduce planning controls for the conversion of homes into Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

An HMO is a property rented by at least three people from more than one household who share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom, often known as house shares or bedsits.

The proposed Article 4 direction would remove permitted development rights that allow homes to be converted into a small HMOs – for three to six residents – without the need for a full planning application.

If the direction is confirmed, a full planning application would be required for small HMO conversions so that the Council can fully consider each proposal’s location, design, accommodation standards and potential impact on neighbours and communities. Larger HMOs, for seven or more residents, already need planning permission.

The consultation runs for eight weeks from 30 July to 24 September 2026.

Why the Council is making the Article 4 direction?

Cllr Kate Fairhurst, Executive Member for Place, Planning and Regulatory Services, said:

“HMOs can provide an important source of lower-cost housing for people who need it, and these proposals are not about preventing them.

“However, we have seen an increase in the number of HMOs in the borough and complaints about them. So, we want to put planning checks in place to help us make sure that future HMOs are in appropriate locations, are well designed, and do not have a negative impact on local communities. Many of our neighbouring councils have already taken similar steps to manage pressures in their local areas.

“We are keen to hear from residents, landlords, property owners and anyone with an interest in housing in the borough about our proposals before any decision is made, so do tell us your views so we can take them into consideration.”

How to give your views.

For more information about the proposals, visit the Article 4 direction for Houses in Multiple Occupation page. Those without internet access can view the proposals at the Town Hall, Reigate between the hours of 9am and 4pm on weekdays.

The deadline for responses to the consultation is Thursday 24 September 2026.

You can give your views by emailing Planning Policy or writing to: Planning Policy, Town Hall, Castlefield Road, Reigate, Surrey RH2 0SH.

To request Article 4 direction information in an alternative format, please email Planning Policy, call the team on 01737 276 178, or if you have a hearing impairment you can also send an SMS text to 07834 626 468.

What happens next?

After the consultation closes, the Council will review the representations received before a decision is made to confirm the direction. If confirmed, the direction would come into force on 30 July 2027.

More information.

• For more information about the proposals, visit the Article 4 direction for Houses in Multiple Occupation page
• For more information on the definition of an HMO, see our Environmental Health webpages or Shelter’s website.
• The proposal to make the direction was presented to the Planning Committee on 23 July 2026 – see item 8.

Staff at East  Surrey hospital have highlighted “widespread burnout and feeling undervalued”, according to a report by the Care Quality Commission.

The hospital in Redhill provides services for near three quarters of a million people across Surrey, West Sussex and South Croydon.

Leadership at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare Trust, which runs East Surrey had been downgraded from outstanding to requires improvement, according to the report.

Amanda Williams, from the CQC, said the most concerning part of the inspection was that many staff did not feel safe to speak up.

That meant that risks went unaddressed which could have “real consequences for the people in their care.”

Andrew Hines, the trust’s chief executive, said it had made major changes to its executive leadership team and implemented a comprehensive improvement programme.

Olympic gold medallist Matt Weston has been awarded an honorary degree from the University of Kent.

The Team GB skeleton racer, who won gold at this year’s Milan Cortina Winter Games, received a Doctor of the University degree on Monday.

Born in Redhill, he became the first British Winter Olympian to win two medals at the same games in February.

Weston said it was a “huge” honour.