Newlands Corner beauty spot improvements considered

Newlands Corner is popular with walkers, dog owners and cyclists according to Surrey County Council

Car parking charges could be introduced at a Surrey beauty spot as part of a programme of improvements to attract more visitors.

The county council is considering spending £400,000 at Newlands Corner, near Guildford which is currently visited by 550,000 people every year.

The council believes the toilets, car park and visitor centre are modest and in need of repair and improvement.

A report will be considered by the council later this year.

The cabinet was to have looked at ideas for Newlands Corner on Tuesday but an initial report was withdrawn.

It proposed introducing a family play trail and improving the toilets, financed by the introduction of £1 an hour parking charges.

The council believes the current visitor centre is in need of improvement

A second phase would involve improving the current cafe, and providing retail and educational space in a new visitor centre.

Dr Paul Daniels, president of Guildford Astronomical Society which holds stargazing events at Newlands Corner, said the proposed improvements were a good idea as long as any new buildings were in keeping with the area.