Wild Week returned to Mindenhurst for the third year in a row, with a full week of nature inspired activities for the whole community to enjoy.
On Monday 21 August the Mindenhurst team kicked off their annual Wild Week, with events aimed at bringing residents and local wildlife together.
The week started with a new nature trail through Mindenhurst, which residents can download at mindenhurst.co.uk.
Highlights of Wild Week 2023 included an evening bat walk led by Surrey Wildlife Trust. Equipped with bat detectors, residents were guided through the Central SANG, listening to the echolocation calls and learning how to identify the different sounds from each species. It was a wonderful experience hearing their calls and watching the bats swoop overhead to catch insects.
The Mindenhurst team, supported by Surrey Wildlife Trust, also hosted events on the Village Green throughout the week, including mini beast hunting, pond dipping, and a session making wildflower seed bombs and bird feeders.
Niki Dufour, Community Relations Manager at Mindenhurst, said: “It was brilliant to see the local community getting involved with the activities we arranged, we enjoyed meeting lots of new bug hunters helping us to catch butterflies, grasshoppers in addition to a large spider! We are thrilled to have hosted another successful Wild Week and look forward to future events at Mindenhurst in the coming months!”
To keep updated on future events at Mindenhurst visit: @MindenhurstDeepcut on Facebook or visit Mindenhurst.co.uk
We are excited to announce that we will soon begin archaeological investigations at two sites in Mindenhurst.
We will have a specialist team of archaeologists on site examining these areas, looking for items of archaeological and historical interest. It is essential to carry out this work before development takes place to ensure that we preserve and protect our cultural heritage.
It will be fascinating to see what they uncover since it will contribute to our collective understanding of the past and evidence how the area has changed over time.
Back in 2015, Cotswold Archaeology carried out a site wide archaeological survey, looking into the history of Deepcut and highlighting particular sites of interest. Based on their findings a programme of archaeological work was agreed and approved by the Surrey Heath Borough Council.
In their initial survey the archaeologists excavated test pits which helped identify areas that have archaeological potential and it is these areas that will be the focus of this archaeological investigation.
The plan below shows the two areas where these investigations will take place. Both areas are sites of future residential housing within the Mindenhurst Development and we are required to undertake this programme of work before the land is developed.
As you can see from the plan below, the archaeologists will carry out an extensive investigation by excavating trenches across the entirety of both sites. In preparation for this work, we therefore need to clear the site and remove trees. This will be done in line with our planning permission and we will be working with experienced ecologists from Surrey Wildlife Trust to ensure that all necessary measures have been taken to protect local wildlife.
It is hard to anticipate what might be found during investigations, however by understanding how Deepcut has evolved over time, this will provide us with a better idea.
The earliest recorded history dates back to the Roman era, when the area was part of the extensive road network connecting London to the south coast. However, there is no firm evidence that people lived in the area until post-medieval times (AD1500-1900).
In the 19th century the area was characterised by extensive open heathland and woods, with small clusters of housing and sporadic farmland. The British Army began to use the area of heathland around Chobham Common for training and exercises, however it wasn’t until 1900 when a semi-permanent camp of demountable buildings was built.
The extension of the Bisley Branch Railway Line through Deepcut to Blackdown in 1915 encouraged further expansion of the camp. During the two World Wars, Deepcut played a significant role and became a vital centre for military operations, housing allied forces from all over the world, and leaving a lasting impact on its landscape and community.
The historic interest of the site rests principally with its military history, so the archaeologists will be investigating these areas to see if any military training features might have survived in these areas.
A specialist archaeological contractor will carry out trail trenching at the locations shown on the previous plan. These trenches will be 30 metres in length and 1.8 metres wide and look similar to the example above. Initially the trenches will be excavated by a mechanical excavator, equipped with a toothless grading bucket, however work will continue by hand if they reveal archaeological features.
Hopefully some interesting finds will be unearthed during their investigation. If so, these artefacts will be assessed, photographed, and conserved in accordance with the appropriate museum guidelines. Arrangements will be made with the appropriate museum for the deposition of the site archive and the artefact collection.
We will be working closely with the archaeologists throughout their investigations and will share information as soon as we have it, via our Facebook page, website, and monthly newsletter.
From Monday 21 to Friday 25 August the Mindenhurst team will be hosting our annual Wild Week.
Throughout the week we will be celebrating the natural world around us through a range of nature themed activities across Mindenhurst. We have a full week of free events and activities for the whole community to enjoy. Keep reading for our Wild Week schedule in full. We look forward to seeing you there!
Join us for our Wild Week nature trail visiting spots throughout the Mindenhurst site.
Starting at the Basingstoke Canal use the map and see if you can find any of Mindenhurst’s native wildlife.
There’s plenty to see at the Mindenhurst site!
Come along to our minibeast hunt and pond dipping on the Village Green.
Lift a log, dig in the dirt, gaze into the water and search for the small insects that live on the Village Green. We will be there to help you carefully find and identify different types of minibeasts.
All ages are welcome but children must be accompanied by an adult.
Join us for a guided bat walk led by Surrey Wildlife Trust through the Central SANG. Learn about the native bat species living in and around Mindenhurst, and try to spot our new BAT HQ.
Spaces are limited and you’ll need to reserve yours to join the session. Book your place now by contacting hello@mindenhurst.co.uk
Come along to the Village Green and make your own bird feeder or wildflower seed bombs to take home with you. We’ll show you how to attract birds to your garden with your very own bird feeder which you can make again and again.
Click here for details on how to make the wildflower seed bombs at home.
Click here for details on how to make the wildflower seed bombs at home.
Our site ecologist has shared useful tips and tricks on attracting more birds to your garden.
The Mindenhurst team received an outstanding rating for the second year in a row, following the latest inspection carried out by assessors from nationally recognised Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS).
Assessors reviewed the project in three key areas: respect for the community, care for the environment and valuing the site’s workforce. Across all three categories the project received the maximum score of 15, achieving a total score of 45 out of 45, the maximum possible score for the assessment.
Three extra points were awarded for the project’s neurodiversity mentoring, a new initiative which protects local watercourses, and delivery of a sizeable, sustainable Bat Barn. This resulted in an overall score of 48 out of the maximum possible award of 50 points and the team achieving an ‘outstanding’ rating for the second year running.
The report commended the project’s commitment to maintaining the natural environment, highlighting an impressive 120 new bat boxes which have been installed this year for habitat creation, and No Mow May which allowed wildflowers and grasses to bloom in support of pollinating insects.
Mindenhurst has steadily improved its scoring and recognition awarded over recent years, from a very good rating in 2017 and 2018, excellent between 2019 and 2021, and outstanding in 2022. The achievement of the outstanding score again this year reflects the project’s longstanding commitment to placing the community at the heart of the project and valuing its hardworking site staff.
The recent assessment report stated: “The development continues to leave an excellent impression of the industry and aims of the scheme. The company is to be commended on their net zero commitment on carbon and the project team have clearly involved the local community and encourage them to contribute and help enrich their natural environment”.
The report commended the team’s commitment to supporting neurodiverse colleagues in the workplace. As part of Mindenhurst’s commitment to the wellbeing of its workforce and diversity, inclusion and belonging, Senior Construction Manager Carianne McIntosh provides individual support and guidance to individuals with neurodiversity’s such as autism, ADHD, or dyslexia. She also gives regular presentations to the project team and the wider business on the subjects of stress, mental health, and Neurodiversity. The presentations highlight to managers the adjustments that can be made in the workplace and the importance of on-site training and instruction to raise awareness of sensitive issues.
Responding to the report, Leisliane Garcia, Development Director at Mindenhurst, said: “We are delighted to receive recognition from the Considerate Constructors Scheme. We are committed to protecting the local natural environment, engaging with the local community and to supporting our hardworking project team and are pleased that our continued work and commitments are being recognised.”
Mindenhurst is a ten-year development project which will transform the former Ministry of Defence Deepcut site to deliver 1,200 homes surrounded by substantial open space and accessible woodland as well as a new village green, formal park and sports pitches.
The Mindenhurst construction team hosted four work experience students from Tomlinscote Secondary School for a week-long programme providing an insight into careers in construction.
Working closely with the Mindenhurst project team, the students had the opportunity to learn how to take a project from the design stage all the way to construction.
The students spent the week exploring the different stages of a construction project, including design, protecting the environment, planning, procurement, health and safety, and construction. They were able to observe and participate in a variety of tasks involved in each stage and gain hands-on experience.
The group also had the opportunity to visit the Mindenhurst construction site and witness construction in action. They were able to observe skilled professionals working together to bring a project to life and see first-hand the different career-paths that are available in the construction industry. Joe Batchelor and the team from Oliver Connell stopped works to show the students round the site and introduce them to some of the tools they use day-to-day.
Niki Dufour, Community Relations Manager at Mindenhurst, said: “We are grateful for the opportunity to work with these talented and enthusiastic students, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for them in the world of construction. We have a variety of exciting work experience, apprenticeship, internship and graduate programme opportunities so if you are interested in pursuing a career in construction, please take a look at our website”.
The students said: “Thank you for devoting your time to help us gain experience in the construction industry, it has been a great week and we hope to work with you in the future!”.
A parent of one of the students added: “The students were all certainly given a detailed insight into your organisation, and a potential career in construction. We are grateful that the team found the time to engage with and support the students. The way in which the placements with your organisation have been managed, both internally and externally, reinforces the professional and positive engagement we have had with the Mindenhurst team”.
1. The team is making good progress on the construction of the Loop Road and Brunswick Road (on the barracks). The team has been busy installing drainage, building the new road, and creating new footpaths.
2. We will continue removing the scaffolding around St. Barbara’s Church now that the external refurbishment and redecoration works are complete. The team will also begin decorating the South facing wall once the scaffolding has been removed as this area
is not accessible whilst the scaffolding is in place. We will then reinstall the church spire.
3. We will continue work on the new footpaths in the Central SANGs – inside the fence line – and the Blackdown ANGST. There may be additional traffic around the Officers Mess on Blackdown Road to facilitate the delivery of materials.
4. Highways improvement works will continue on the DIO Roads (Newfoundland, Union, and Canada Roads). This includes installing new surface water drainage, creating new footpaths, and the road build-up. We will keep you informed of any work taking place around your home.
🌳 Landscaping maintenance works around the Village Green, Mindenhurst Road and the Central SANGS are ongoing.
5. Works – such as clearance and demolition – to prepare the land for the future Southern SANGs will get underway. This includes landscaping works to the southern sustainable urban drainage system along the Frimley Lock Cycle Path.
We are pleased to announce that our public art consultation is now live!
Between Monday 19 July and Monday 3 July, you have the opportunity to help shape the future of Mindenhurst’s art by voting for your favourite artist. We will be providing three pieces of public as part of the lasting legacy of the development; we hope the art will foster a sense of place and help shape the cultural identity of our new neighbourhood.
We have shortlisted three artists whose work reflects our ambitions for this project. The art will be installed in prominent places around Mindenhurst and will reflect the history, values and aspirations of our community.
You can read about the artists and see examples of their work on our public art consultation page or by popping into the Project Office on Newfoundland Road, where we are displaying an exhibition of the shortlisted artists.
Don’t miss the chance to have your say and please get in touch if you have any questions.
This series is all about our work to renovate and restore St Barbara’s Church, highlighting the work we have been doing to bring the church back to life.
This series is all about our work to renovate and restore St Barbara’s church, a Grade II listed church constructed in 1901 which sits on the Mindenhurst development site. It is a ‘tin tabernacle’ church meaning it is an iron structure that would have been assembled off site and exported to Deepcut. Tin Tabernacle churches were developed in the mid-19th century and were typically formed of a corrugated iron structure – the first mass-produced external building material – and timber frame. Only 86 tin tabernacle churches remain and fewer than 20 are listed – St Barbara’s Church is one of them.
The ‘portable Garrison’ church was erected in Deepcut in 1901, shortly after the permanent military camps at Blackdown and Deepcut were established, and it is important that we recognise the history of the Mindenhurst site.
The church was originally called St Michael & All Angels, it was dedicated to St Barbara’s in 1967 in honour of the Patron Saint of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps following the closure of Hilsea Barracks in Portsmouth. Much of the property of St. Barbara’s in Hilsea was installed in the church – most of which remain in the Church today. It was designated a listed building in 1984.
We have to take extra care – and work alongside Surrey Heath Borough Council and the Ministry of Defence – over any changes we make to ensure we restore the building to its former self and secure it for future generations.
Before we started any work on the church, we boarded up the stained-glass windows to protect them from damage and removed the church spire, ready for scaffolding to be installed. The scaffolding was needed so the team could carry out external works to the building – ensuring the building is safe and secure in all weathers and allowing the team access to redecorate the exterior walls.
We’ll be sharing a little more about the renovation work in this blog over the coming weeks so check back soon!
Protecting the church structure
An important part of the renovation process is ensuring we protect the church structure and original features as much as we can. We also have to protect the environment and ecology when we carry out any construction work across the development.
Before work could begin on the church renovation, we engaged Surrey Wildlife Trust to remove the bat features from the Church, we then installed bat mitigation measures throughout the Formal Park to provide alternative habitats for any bats using the Church. Construction could begin once the bats had moved out of the church.
We needed to carry out excavation works to install a foundation for the scaffolding – this is called a scaffold mat and it stops the scaffolding from shifting or sinking. As St Barbara’s is a Grade II listed building, we had to make sure the scaffolding did not rest on the building and potentially damage the external structure or brickwork. The scaffolding therefore needed to be extensive to protect the church and enable us to carry out the works we needed to deliver.
To keep the church dry, we fully covered the scaffolding with a plastic sheet, we then began patch testing the paint to check the durability and colour. As the church is a Grade II listed building, we have to consult the Conservation Officer at every step of the way – before the work is carried out. The patch testing is one example of the steps we take to get approval from the Conservation Officer.
Internal refurbishments
Our Senior Construction Manager, Carianne McIntosh, has been overseeing the internal and external refurbishment works at St Barbara’s Church, including the construction of a brand-new church hall.
St Barbara’s Church is a listed building, so we’ve got to be really careful and respect the history of the building both inside and out. During the renovation process, the Ministry of Defence has been removing flags and regimental memorabilia for archiving and display in Worthy Down museum. Religious artifacts have also been removed whilst renovation works take place, however they will be reinstated at the church once work is complete.
To prepare for the internal refurbishment of the church, Carianne has been helping the Ministry of Defence carefully remove the army memorabilia and flags. Carianne has prepared a plan which makes sure works are of a good quality so that maintenance costs are minimised, and we create a space which is suitable and safe for the community to use in the future.
Putting the finishing touches on the Church exterior
We stripped the paint from the wooden frames around the stained-glass windows so we could repair the existing woodwork, and where needed we installed new frames. To remove the paint on the external walls, we used the TORC cleaning method. This means cleaning the exterior of the building without using chemicals, to ensure all old and decaying paint was removed from the structure without impacting the building.
To ensure we did not pollute the surrounding land with old paint chippings, we built an embankment around the church before we began the TORC cleaning, this allowed us to carefully collect and remove any waste. We then replaced the old paint with a fresh coating, ensuring the external church walls are protected.
Removing the paint revealed the corrugated iron which is attached to the external church walls. We applied paste and used paint removal blankets to the timber, to ensure we were taking the necessary safety precautions in case of any lead content in the old paint. The old paint sticks to the blankets, which prevents paint chippings falling and contaminating the ground and surrounding land. Once all the paint was removed, we repaired the existing woodwork and installed new frames where needed.
We also refurbished the church roof before removing the scaffolding. To ensure the paint fused to the roof and to prevent any rusting, we replaced all old and damaged fixings, any rust and then applied a layer of primer paint to the roof before spraying on the top coat. We also found a leak in the roof above the organ, so this was repaired before the topcoat was finished.
Finally, we began to carefully remove the scaffolding to unveil the restored church exterior once the roof was completed.
1. The team is making good progress on the construction of the Loop Road and Brunswick Road (on the barracks). The team has been busy installing drainage, building the new road, and creating new footpaths.
2. We will continue removing the scaffolding around St. Barbara’s Church now that the external refurbishment and redecoration works are complete. The team will also begin decorating the South facing wall once the scaffolding has been removed as this area
is not accessible whilst the scaffolding is in place. We will then reinstall the church spire.
3. We will continue work on the new footpaths in the Central SANGs – inside the fence line – and the Blackdown ANGST. There may be additional traffic around the Officers Mess on Blackdown Road to facilitate the delivery of materials.
4. Highways improvement works will continue on the DIO Roads (Newfoundland, Union, and Canada Roads). This includes installing new surface water drainage, creating new footpaths, and the road build-up. We will keep you informed of any work taking place around your home.
🌳 Landscaping maintenance works around the Village Green, Mindenhurst Road and the Central SANGS are ongoing.
5. Works – such as clearance and demolition – to prepare the land for the future Southern SANGs will get underway. This includes landscaping works to the southern sustainable urban drainage system along the Frimley Lock Cycle Path.
We are pleased to announce that the Mindenhurst Bat Barn now has a name!
Thank you to everyone who answered our call for ideas, we received some fantastic suggestions! Pupils at Lakeside Primary School chose their favourite name from the suggestions, and we are proud to announce the chosen name is ‘Bat HQ’!
Bat HQ was built to provide a new habitat for the Brown Long-eared, Common Pipistrelle and Soprano Pipistrelle bats, providing them with a safe and secure place to roost and raise their young.
The design of the Bat HQ was developed in coordination with Surrey Wildlife Trusts Ecologists so that the size, proportions, and orientation could all be appropriate for the bats. The barn is located within an ANGST and is surrounded by woodland, located close to the original roosting site where the bats forage. It was designed to produce minimal waste during its construction, and this is why it was chosen to be manufactured off-site, then pieced together and tiled on-site.
These structures benefit our ecosystem by supporting these nocturnal creatures, which play a crucial role in natural pest control and pollination.
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