Due to the forecasted high winds over the weekend, there is an increased risk of falling trees and branches in the Central SANGS area.
For your safety:
Stay safe!
We have heard reports that playful Christmas Elves are heading to the Central SANGs again from 12th to 20th December.
We need some help checking up on them to make sure they are not getting into too much mischief. So why not have a festive walk through the Central SANGs and see who you spot playing in the trees!
The elves mentioned that they love receiving letters. If you would like to send them a letter or a drawing, they would certainly write back and send a little Christmas gift!
Please send letters to: The Christmas Elves, Mindenhurst Project Office, Newfoundland Road, Deepcut, GU16 6SR. Alternatively just send a photo of your letter to hello@mindenhurst.co.uk and we will pass it on.
Don’t forget to share pictures of your elf hunt with us on Facebook at Facebook/MindenhurstDeepcut.
Surrey Heath Borough Council has unanimously approved planning permission for the state-of-the-art Mindenhurst Care Centre.
Designed by the renowned architects Pollard Thomas Edwards, the new centre will span over three acres on the northern edge of the Mindenhurst woodland and is scheduled to break ground in 2025. This development will add to CHD Living’s portfolio as the 15th care facility and will serve as a dedicated space for specialised care, with 70 care bedrooms and 20 post-operative care suites. These spaces, nestled among pine trees, will cater to individuals with complex care needs, including older adults, dementia patients, and those requiring rehabilitation following physical trauma or surgery.
Shaleeza Hasham, CHD Living’s Commercial Director, shared her excitement over the approval, stating: “We’re absolutely delighted with the council’s decision, which allows us to bring Mindenhurst Care Centre to life. This project represents our commitment to raising the standard of care within Surrey, and we’re incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received from the local community and the council throughout this process. This is not just a building – it’s a vision for compassionate, forward-thinking care, and we look forward to providing a space where residents can feel truly at home.”
The development features four residential wings arranged around three open-sided courtyard gardens, providing residents with private terraces and communal spaces that capture the essence of Surrey’s natural beauty. In addition, the care centre will offer an array of amenities, including a gym, hydrotherapy pool, cinema, salon, and bistro, all in line with CHD Living’s ‘home away from home’ ethos.
Stephen Morris, Later Living partner at Pollard Thomas Edwards, said, “We are delighted to be working with CHD Living to develop their vision for Mindenhurst Care Centre, drawing upon our extensive experience in sustainable Later Living design and placemaking to create an inviting residential care exemplar.”
Beyond its design and resident-focused features, Mindenhurst Care Centre demonstrates CHD Living’s commitment to environmental stewardship, aiming to achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’. The centre will incorporate advanced sustainability practices, including high-efficiency insulation, heat pump-driven systems, and a roof-mounted photovoltaic array.
Reflecting on the approval, Councillor David Whitcroft commented, “We have been in discussions with CHD Living and Pollard Thomas Edwards for many years on this project, and it’s rewarding to see it come to fruition in such a thoughtful way. It would have been all too easy for a developer to come in, clear the land, and maximise the number of rooms, but instead, what we have is a facility that fully embraces and enhances its natural surroundings. This building is designed to provide residents with an unparalleled sense of peace and tranquillity, and I believe it will be something the local community can genuinely take pride in. Mindenhurst Care Centre takes full advantage of its unique location, offering residents an ideal space to spend their later years surrounded by nature. I am confident that this development will be a positive addition to Deepcut, both for its residents and the wider community, setting a high standard for care and design in Surrey.”
Liakat Hasham, Co-Founder and CEO of CHD Living, added, “Securing planning permission for the Mindenhurst Care Centre is a proud milestone for us. This facility represents our long-standing commitment to innovative, high-quality care that meets the unique needs of each individual. We are deeply invested in Surrey’s future, and we are eager to contribute to this exciting new neighbourhood. Mindenhurst will be a place where residents and team members alike can feel valued and connected, and we’re grateful to Surrey Heath Borough Council for helping make this vision a reality.”
The Hope Hub is currently running short on a few items, so we are collecting donations in the Project Office on Newfoundland Road until 18th December. The Hope Hub is a registered charity working to prevent and end homelessness in Surrey Heath Borough and surrounding areas.
Here are a few ideas of what you can donate but for the full list please visit The Hope Hub Website.
A massive thank you to everyone who attended our Macmillan Cancer Support bake sale and helped us beat last year’s total! Together we raised £265 to help Macmillan provide crucial practical, emotional, and financial support to those living with cancer.
Thank you to everyone who contributed – your generosity is making a real difference! 
As part of our ongoing commitment to community improvement members of the Mindenhurst Team partnered with the Basingstoke Canal Society to enhance local accessibility. Despite challenging weather conditions, including persistent rain, our team spent half a day clearing vegetation from the pedestrian and cycle path along the Basingstoke canal.
Regular maintenance is crucial to ensure that the canal remains accessible, safe, and inviting for both pedestrians and cyclists. The Basingstoke Canal Society depends on volunteers to help with this ongoing upkeep, and we were very please to be able to offer our support. Working alongside volunteers from the Basingstoke Canal Society, our team tackled overgrown vegetation that had encroached on the pathway. This collaborative effort not only improved visibility and safety on the path but also reinforced our strong community relationships.
Reflecting on the experience, Richard Kirkpatrick, Project Director, remarked:
“It was a pleasure working with the Basingstoke Canal Society who provide a valuable service for the community. Supporting their work highlights just how impactful volunteer work can be. It was hard work, particularly in the rain, but we’re proud to have contributed to making the canal paths safer and more accessible for everyone.”
As part of our Lend a Hand Week, The Mindenhurst Team had the opportunity to host a Construction Careers Day for attendees from The Hope Hub—a homeless charity based in Camberley, Surrey. This event was specifically designed to support individuals who are currently homeless or vulnerably housed and seeking new opportunities within the construction industry.
We welcomed participants with varying levels of experience with our aim to provide them with comprehensive information on entering the construction field, including how to obtain a CSCS card, understanding essential health and safety practices, and preparing for their first day on-site. Throughout the day, attendees engaged in various activities designed to build their confidence and equip them with practical knowledge about working in construction. They had the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and gain insights directly from industry professionals.
The session was run by Mati Hamidi, a Project Manager on the Mindenhurst Development. Mati guided attendees around our construction areas on site, providing them with first hand insight into various roles they could consider within the industry. Participants also had the opportunity to speak with our Trade Contractors about different positions on site and what each role entails.
Mati reflected on his involvement: “As someone who has spent years working in this industry, I know how important these opportunities can be. I was very happy to be able to share my experiences and help equip them with real-world knowledge that will help them start their journey in construction.”
Niki Dufour, Community Relations Manager at Mindenhurst, arranged the session and commented that: “It was a fantastic day, and we deeply value our partnership with The Hope Hub. Construction is such a diverse industry that there really is an opportunity for everyone, regardless of your interests or experience. We are keen to share this message and encourage more people to explore the wide range of careers available in construction. By showcasing the various roles and pathways, we hope to inspire individuals from all backgrounds to consider the construction industry as a viable and rewarding career choice.”
Clare McCord, Day Services Manager at The Hope Hub remarked on the positive impact of the day:
“The construction day at Skanska was a great day out for our Service Users. They were made to feel very welcome and it has inspired them to look for work in the construction industry.”
Deepcut Bridge Road Update
We are delighted that we have nearly finished our work along Deepcut Bridge Road but residents may have noticed the planting areas on the verges which are still currently empty.
Unfortunately, these areas have been driven over by cars, resulting in a rather messy appearance. Our original plan was to plant these areas up, however, in consultation with Surrey County Council Highways Team, we have decided to take additional measures.
To prevent further damage and ensure these spaces remain tidy and attractive, we will be installing wooden bollards. These bollards will help stop vehicles from driving or parking on the verges, allowing us to proceed with our planting without concern for future disturbances.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we finalise these enhancements.
This month we will be joining over 30 countries around the world celebrating International Bat Night. The aim is to encourage as many people as possible to see (and hear) bats in their natural habitat. August is the perfect time to spot bats at dusk when they come out to feed on insects.
These fascinating creatures play a vital role in our ecosystem, from pollinating plants to controlling insect populations.
For those interested in a closer encounter, join us on Tuesday 27th August, for an evening bat walk through the Central SANG led by Surrey Wildlife Trust. We’ll be using bat detectors to hear the calls of the bats as they fly overhead. To book your space, contact us at hello@mindenhurst.co.uk.
Welcome to our work experience blog!
In June we had the pleasure of hosting two students from Tomlinscote School. They immersed themselves in various aspects of the construction industry, gaining hands-on experience and valuable insights. The following blog, written by Andrew, describes his experience spending a week with our team at Mindenhurst.
Entering the office on Monday felt nerve-wracking as it was a completely new environment however, I was warmly welcomed by the team. Carianne gave an induction to Mindenhurst, covering topics like health and safety, plans, and different work sectors. Niki explained my tasks for the week and discussed interviewing members of the team and techniques to do this. She even had me practice by interviewing her, which was both fun and exciting despite my initial nervousness.
In the afternoon, I met Hannah O’Kelly, an Environmental and Sustainability Advisor. She discussed plans for St Barbara’s Church and showed me a bird’s-eye view picture indicating tree locations. We talked about tree grading and project planning, which was very informative.
Hannah then took me to the church site where I wore PPE for health and safety. She pointed out areas like badger habitats and how they manage Japanese Knotweed growth. At the church, she explained ongoing work and future plans while discussing drainage systems and tree protection with other site workers. Learning about Hannah’s job was particularly enjoyable as it introduced me to aspects of environmental sustainability that I hadn’t encountered before.
We started with a tour of the Mindenhurst site with Mati, a Project Manager. He explained the development process and future plans for the area, showcasing the ambition and capabilities of The Mindenhurst Project. Mati also discussed drainage systems and how rainwater is managed to ensure silt settles before entering the Basingstoke Canal. This highlighted the complexity of planning and managing construction projects.
Later, we joined Oliver Connells’ construction team for hands-on experience in bricklaying. Using trowels and levellers, we learned how to lay bricks properly, offering valuable insight into practical aspects of construction.
In the afternoon, I met Mike Thorpe, a senior project planner. He demonstrated how he uses graphs to plan projects and track timing. I was given a task to order various project activities while considering their durations. Through this exercise, I learned about different internal services (lighting, air vents, security alarms) and steps in building construction. This task required thoughtful planning as mistakes could lead to financial losses or project delays. Despite its challenges, I enjoyed it as it provided a deeper understanding of project management.
In the morning, I met Ryan from Graduate Landscape and his team. They took me and James on a walk around their site, showing us the paths they’ve constructed and sharing their future plans for the area. It was a great experience learning about path construction and getting to know their friendly team.
They then introduced us to various tools and machinery. We helped to secure pieces of wood and hammered in pins. Ryan also showed us the controls inside excavators, rollers, and forklifts, explaining their safety features like protective cages and bars. Although we couldn’t operate the machines due to health and safety regulations, it was an exciting hands-on experience.
In the afternoon, I met Mary Kinsella, a Senior Health, Safety, and Wellbeing Advisor. She explained her role in managing risks and hazards on construction sites, focusing on worker wellbeing. We watched a video to identify health and safety issues, discussed consequences for breaking regulations (talking to, yellow card, red card), and went through my observations together. This session emphasised the importance of safety in construction and highlighted Mary’s dedication to worker wellbeing.
Mike Collier, a Project Manager, took James and me around his site and explained the planning involved in road construction. We learned about installing drains and the process of making roads while stressing the importance of avoiding damage to water pipes, gas pipes, or electrical wiring.
Later, I met Hiten Meghani, a Technical Assurance Manager. He showed us designs for roads and the Mindenhurst area before taking us on a drive to see a Copenhagen crossing which is a pedestrian-friendly crossing designed to ensure safety. This was fascinating as it highlighted the intricate details involved in road design that I wouldn’t have known without seeing these designs.
On Friday morning, we spent time with the Graduate Landscape team working in the Southern SANG. We continued learning about their projects and assisting with various tasks, gaining more hands-on experience in landscape construction.
After lunch, Emily Law from the Emerging Talent Team gave us a talk about different careers in construction. She explained various entry routes such as apprenticeships, internships, and their graduate programme. This session was very informative and highlighted many opportunities within the industry.
In the afternoon, we presented to the Mindenhurst team. We showcased all the activities we participated in during the week and shared our overall experience. It was a great way to reflect on everything we learned and say thank you to the team for this opportunity.
Although I felt nervous entering a work environment, the Mindenhurst team made me feel welcome and were very friendly. This experience has helped me understand the construction industry, and I have had so many exciting opportunities that I am very happy to have experienced. From interviewing the team, to going out and learning more about the history of Deepcut/Mindenhurst, to being able to do some hands-on work like bricklaying and path construction. This has definitely improved my confidence, and I got to meet many new people. I have learned a lot about different sectors/jobs in the construction industry, which has opened my mind to other job possibilities. This is an excellent opportunity for future students, as everyone at Mindenhurst is friendly and eager to educate and connect with you.
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