Welcome to the LOSRA Website
As with any other local neighbourhood, the policies and actions which affect the character and future of Lower Sunbury are generally framed and implemented by a combination of local and national government, along with the vested interests and market forces which operate within those frameworks. Lower Sunbury is by no means unique in being under threat from a creaking infrastructure brought about by rapid urban development, the growth of traffic, and other pressures affecting the quality of life and the character of the area.
Working with the local authorities, we see it as the responsibility of residents’ and amenity groups such as LOSRA to address the underlying issues which fundamentally affect their members’ lives, as well as the minutiae of everyday life with which such groups are often concerned.
Please sign up to receive our regular e-bulletins by subscribing via the facility at the top left hand of this page. It goes without saying that, without your continued support we would cease to function so we urge you to join, or renew your membership now Subscriptions (£5 per household) for 2024 are now payable.
Council Announces Sudden Death of Leader
It is with deep shock and sadness that Spelthorne Council announces the death of Cllr Robert Watts, Leader of the Council, who died at his home in Shepperton on Monday 5 October.
Cllr Watts was elected to the Council in May 2011, representing the Shepperton Town ward. Upon election he was given Cabinet responsibility for the Environment where he oversaw a number of projects including the introduction of food waste collections.
In February 2013 he took up the post of Leader of the Council and also served on the Local Plan Working Party, Surrey Waste Partnership and the Surrey Local Committee in Spelthorne.
Prior to entering local politics he enjoyed a successful career in Civil Engineering. He was 64 years old.
Chief Executive of Spelthorne Borough Council, Roberto Tambini, said: “We are all terribly shocked by this sad news. Robert had a passion for politics and an unfaltering desire to improve the lives of the Borough’s residents and the place will be all the poorer without him. I very much enjoyed working with Robert and will miss him greatly.”
Fellow Shepperton Town ward councillor, Robin Sider, said: “I am devastated by this news. Cllr Watts was a great friend and colleague and his untimely death will leave a large void in our ward. He lived to work hard for the community and will be sadly missed by all.”
Hospitals Merger Given the Green Light
LOSRA has received the following emailed announcement from the Chairmen of Ashford & St. Peter's and The Royal Surrey County Hospitals:
As you may be aware, Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust are proposing to merge. We have recently received final clearance on our proposed merger from the Competitions and Markets Authority which means we can now proceed with the next stage in our planning.
Our proposal to merge is based around securing a stronger future for our two organisations which will allow us to deliver a number of important patient benefits, including more consultant care at weekends and increased investment in facilities and technology. This was recognised by the CMA during their investigation which highlighted the commitment and professional pride in the provision of high quality care by the staff of our organisations.
The next stage in the process will be for both Boards from both Trusts to consider the full business case and detailed financial plans for the proposed merger and to make their decision on the next step forward. Subject to their approval the process will then include an assessment by Monitor, the health sector regulator, and at a later stage, final approvals from Boards and Councils of Governors.
Subject to full regulatory, Board and Governor approvals, the earliest start date for the proposed new organisation would be Summer 2016.
In the meantime, we would like to talk to as many local stakeholders and residents about our plans and answer any questions that you may have. We are really interested to hear your views and any concerns you may have. We welcome any invitations to attend your group meetings.
Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone 01932 723800 to arrange a meeting.
Yours sincerely
Aileen McLeish, Chairman, Ashford & St Peter’s Hospitals
Peter Dunt, Chairman, The Royal Surrey County Hospital
Invitation to Sign Petition to Include Sunbury in Oyster Network
The following link takes you to a petition to connect Sunbury to the city centre with more affordable travel costs. Many people commute from Sunbury into London and despite being much closer to the city centre than many other zone 6 stations, they are forced to incur far greater travel costs due to being two station stops outside the Oyster network.
Trains going through Sunbury also only go to either London Waterloo or two stops further out to Shepperton. Therefore it seems illogical for it to remain outside the Oyster network.
If you agree and wish to add your name to the petition, click here
Volunteer Hosts
Do you have a spare room? Do you think you might have the skills to support a young person?
The Homelessness Prevention Service are looking for volunteer hosts who have a spare room and could offer it as a safe respite place to stay for a few nights to a young person aged 16-21. This period of respite will allow family mediation to take place in order to support them to return home or into other types of accommodation.
You will receive full extensive training, guidance and ongoing support to help you in this role. Out of pocket expenses would be paid including a nightly allowance for Hosts to cover the cost of food and utilities.
The Homelessness Prevention Service is interested in people from our diverse community to support our young people across Surrey. If you are interested in joining this new and exciting project they would like to hear from you.
For further information please contact The Homelessness Prevention Service on 01483 519198 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Trading Standards Alert
A malware campaign simulating a fake email alert from City of London Police and scams involving Amazon UK customers are among the topics published in the the most recent circular from Trading Standards. It was also predicted that the recently announced Facebook 'Dislike' button would attract scammers. It seems that the prediction was justified....
Spelthorne relaunches phone app
Spelthorne Borough Council is relaunching its mobile app on Monday 28 September to make it easier for residents to contact the Council and find out about local services.
Updated with a new look and feel and clearer navigation, the free app can be downloaded to any smart phone or tablet and allows residents to access a range of the most frequently used Council services at a time that suits them best. The app includes:
- Pay your Council Tax or Business Rates
- Set up a Council Tax Direct Debit
- Pay parking fines
- Report missed bin collections
- Report dog fouling problems and problems with parks
- Report abandoned vehicles, graffiti or fly-tipping
- Register a move
- Receive news, traffic, travel and weather updates
- See ‘what’s on’
- View job vacancies
- Contact the Council
The Spelthorne app allows residents to access Council services whilst on the move – no need to make phone calls, log on to the website or have internet access. Residents can report problems such as dog fouling and graffiti directly to the Council, with the facility to attach a photograph and location marker.
The app can be downloaded from Monday 28 September from the App Store, Google Play or Windows Store and residents who download the app before 23 October have the opportunity to be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win an iPhone.
More...
Spelthorne Neighbourhood Watch Shortlisted for £500 Grant. Please Vote!
Spelthorne Neighbourhood Watch has been shortlisted for a grant of £500 from the Skipton Building Society for their good work. Of the 3,000 organizations which applied we have reached the final shortlist & have a 50% chance of being selected.The decision is down to the public who are invited to vote on the Skipton Building Society website using this link.
Anyone can vote. You just need to go to the bottom of the page, enter your email address, tick the box so that you receive no communications & click on VOTE. (The email address is to prevent you voting more than once.)
The closing date for voting is 8th October. Please ask all your family & friends to vote too.
SNW have no funding so could use the money for street signs, stickers or crime prevention measures such as CCTV cameras etc. If all our 12,000 members vote, plus their family & friends we have a good chance of winning.
Shepperton Players present The White Carnation at the RAC, 8th - 10th October
The Shepperton Players have great pleasure in bringing their production of The White Carnation to the Riverside Arts Centre on the 8th, 9th & 10th October
The play by R.C.Sherriff and directed by Emma Dow depicts Christmas Eve, 1951. As Britain rebuilds itself after the war, John Greenwood has it all – a successful business, a beautiful house and an aristocratic wife. But as he bids farewell to the guests leaving his annual Christmas party, a gust of wind slams the front door shut, starting a chain of events that makes him doubt everything he has ever known...
Writing in the Sunday Times, the critic Harold Hobson called the original production of the play "extremely and touchingly human".
Performances commence at 8pm. Tickets £10 from the box office 07505 206757, or on the door subject to availability. Website: sheppertonplayers.org.uk.
SCC Welcomes Back Fire and Water, Friday 25th September
The next Music Night at Sunbury Cricket Club falls on Friday 25th September, when the Club welcomes back FIRE & WATER. They were one of the very first bands the Club presented when they launched the Music Nights over four years ago, and helped put SCC on the map, not least since singer Paul Cox has been a great ambassador for our venue among the musicians’ fraternity.
Paul, of course, has been back to the Club several times, not only with Fire & Water but with his own band The Proof and with French blues guitarist Charlie Fabert, and when he contacted the Club a while back to say that Fire & Water had decided to call it a day after fifteen years, and would like to include Sunbury on their farewell round of gigs this autumn, the Club was naturally more than happy to oblige. Their great rocking show features the music of Free, Bad Company and Led Zeppelin and so it’s a natural fit with the Music Club style.
Paul is one of the finest entertainers on the circuit – Radio 2’s Paul Jones cites him as one of his favourite singers, and says he is “one of the best voices in Europe”. The other members of the band are guitarist Mike Summerland, who has worked over the years with Blodwyn Pig, Georgie Fame, William Bell, Hershey and even Val Doonican. Paul is supported by drummer Steve Dixon, who was with Gary Moore until Gary’s sad demise, and has played with The Real Thing, Micky Jones Band, Ray Davis, Buddy Whittington, and the John Slaughter Blues Band; and bassist Al McLean was with Kokomo, having previously played with the Micky Jones Band, Brent Ford and the Nylons, Hershey and the 12 bars, Juice on the loose and most recently Soul Intention.
A very good evening is in prospect!
Vote for the Sunbury Walled Garden as UK’s favourite park
Spelthorne Borough Council is encouraging residents to vote for the Sunbury Walled Garden in this year’s Green Flag People’s Choice Award.
This year a record breaking 1,582 parks and green spaces were awarded the prestigious, international Green Flag Award and now everyone has the chance to vote for their favourite.
The vote closes at noon on 30 September. The winner of the People’s Choice will be announced in October.
To vote, simply go to www.greenflagaward.org, type in ‘TW16’ in the search box, find the Sunbury Walled Garden and click the 'vote for this site' button.
Cllr Colin Davis, Cabinet Member for Environment said: “The Sunbury Walled Garden is a wonderful place to visit and the fact it has received the Green Flag award five years in a row is a real tribute to everyone involved in its upkeep. We know the Walled Garden is loved by local residents and we hope they will show their support by voting for this beautiful park.”
Paul Todd, Green Flag Award manager said, “We all have a favourite park, whether it’s our local green space or a special park we’ll travel miles to visit. Following another record breaking year for the Green Flag Award, we are urging everyone to vote for their own favourite park, so we can crown one of these 1,582 special parks as the People’s Choice 2015.”
All Green Flag Award winning sites are entered into the annual People’s Choice Award vote. Last year saw over 35 thousand votes from the public, with Victoria Park in London’s Tower Hamlets receiving thousands of votes to be crowned as the People’s Choice.
Page Aerospace, Forge Lane/Green Street - Public Consultation on Development Proposals
Many local residents will be aware of the door-to-door canvassing which was conducted on the 12th August in the streets neighbouring Page Aerospace in Forge Lane at the junction with Green Street. Residents who were unavailable at the time of the door knocking were provided with a letter explaining that Fairview were looking to bring forward housing proposals for the site and were given contact details should they have questions.
It seems that quite a few people have since been in touch and the "vast majority appear favourable towards the site’s redevelopment, with most taking the view that the housing numbers and design is appropriate for the site and the area". (Sarah Wardle, Curtin & Co, for Fairview New Homes). Fairview have also met some of the local ward Councillors to ensure that they are aware of the forthcoming proposals.
Public Exhibition
A public exhibition is planned for Tuesday 22nd of September between 12 noon and 8pm, on the site itself. Curtin & Co will be sending out leaflets to 4,500 homes in the Sunbury area a week before the exhibition and inserting adverts into local papers. In addition, residents living closest to the site and local councillors will also receive a letter to ensure they are aware of the event.
Members of the project team will be on hand to answer questions and there will be multiple opportunities to leave comments and feedback. There will also be a stand-alone consultation website which will go live on the day of the exhibition. The address is www.FairviewPageAerospace.co.uk and it will display the exhibition boards, information about the plans and allow for feedback.
Reminder - River Thames Scheme Drop-in Session at RAC, Thames Street, 11th September
The drop-in session for the River Thames Scheme was advertised on this site on 3rd August. This is a quick reminder for those who may not have put it in their diaries at the time. The session will be held at the Riverside Arts Centre, Thames Street, on 11th September from 4pm - 8pm.
Kempton Park Green Belt - Redrow Homes Makes its Intentions Public
The following self-explanatory email from the Head of Planning and Housing Strategy for Spelthorne Borough Council is reproduced here for the attention of all residents:
I am writing to let you know that Redrow Homes have advised us they will be issuing a press release early next week [see below] to say they have an agreement with the Jockey Club to bring forward proposals for housing development at Kempton Park. They will at the same time email all Borough Councillors.
We understand they will seek to promote the site for housing through the Council’s review of its Local Plan and not through a planning application at this stage. They are well aware of this Council’s strong stance in protecting its Green Belt.
We also understand they are looking at setting up a dedicated web page to provide a public explanation of their intentions and notifying local groups.
At this stage Roberto [Council's Chief Executive] and I wanted to give you the earliest notice of what we understand to be Redrow’s intentions.
I will be able to give further advice, as required, when we see what they actually say but if you have any queries in the meanwhile let me know.
Regards
John Brooks BSc DipTP DMS MRTPI MCMI
Head of Planning and Housing Strategy
Redrow's press release may be viewed by clicking here
Please also keep in touch by joining the mailing list of Keep Kempton Green which may be accessed at the top of this page.
Swan Pays A Very Brief Visit to Stile Path
This swan walked up Green Street two days ago. Apparently it was a female from last year’s brood and had been driven off Flower Pot Green by a breeding pair.
She took a liking to a patch of greenery on the corner of Stile Path.
If you happened to see her and have now noticed her absence, worry not as a man from the Swan Sanctuary came round within minutes and took her off to the Swan Sanctuary at Fordbridge Road.
