Welcome to the LOSRA Website
Like any local community, the policies and decisions shaping the character and future of Lower Sunbury are influenced by a combination of local and national government initiatives, alongside market forces and vested interests operating within these frameworks. As with many areas, Lower Sunbury faces challenges stemming from an aging infrastructure, rapid urban development, increasing traffic congestion, and other pressures that impact both quality of life and the distinctive character of the neighbourhood.
In collaboration with local authorities, other residents’ associations and amenity groups, LOSRA plays a vital role in addressing fundamental issues that affect its members' lives. This organisation not only engages with broader strategic concerns but also focuses on the everyday matters that shape community well-being.
To stay informed, we encourage you to subscribe to our regular e-bulletins via the link at the top left of this page. Your continued support is essential to our efforts, and we urge you to join or renew your membership. Subscriptions for 2026 are now payable at £5 per household. Donations are also welcome.
The Nashville Teens to Close Music Night Season at the SCC on 10th April
The next Music Night at Sunbury CC, and indeed the last one before the Club has a break for the summer, is on Friday 10th April and features THE NASHVILLE TEENS, who had to cancel their usual January show because Ray had a knee operation. Thankfully, he’s fully recovered and the Club is delighted to have them back to close the Music Night season in style.Understanding Access to Support for Gambling Related Harm
Spelthorne Borough Council has shared an important information about a new research initiative led by Surrey County Council and independent researchers at IFF Research.
"Surrey County Council is working with independent researchers at IFF Research to understand how people access support when gambling stops being fun and starts becoming a problem. They want to hear from people across Surrey with lived experience so services can be improved. The council wants to explore the key barriers that prevent individuals from seeking help, and identify what would make support feel more accessible, acceptable, and effective. All participants will receive a £50 shopping voucher after completing the research interview.
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your name and telephone number and a member of the IFF team will get in touch to check eligibility and arrange a suitable date for the interview.
If you need support to take part or have questions, you can also email the above email or call 020 7250 3035 and ask for Toby L."
Brentford FC Community Trust Offers an Exciting New and Free Friday Night Football League
Spelthorne Confirms New Local Plan and Moves to New Consultation Platform
After years of protracted negotiations and political contention, we finally have an approved Local Plan. The below message has been published by the Spelthorne Strategic Planning Team.
"This email is to update you that the Spelthorne Local Plan 2024 – 2039/40 was adopted at an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council on Tuesday 17 March 2026.
The Local Plan now sets out the Borough’s long-term vision and statutory planning framework for the next 15 years, including site allocations to support new homes.
This follows the receipt of the Inspector’s Report on 4 March 2026, which found the Plan sound and legally compliant subject to a number of recommended “main modifications”.
At the same meeting, two Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) were also adopted: the Spelthorne Design Code and the Managing the Development of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO).
The Design Code, consulted on in summer 2025, provides clear, detailed guidance to secure high-quality design in future development. The HMO SPD, consulted on earlier this year, introduces principles to manage HMO developments and prevent “sandwiching” of homes between HMOs, supporting balanced communities and good quality HMOs.
More information on the Spelthorne Local Plan is available at https://
As you will have also received notification of yesterday, Spelthorne Borough Council is closing down its Inovem consultation platform and is moving to a new consultation platform called Commonplace, which is now being used by the Strategic Planning Team (Planning Policy, Infrastructure).
Due to GDPR regulations, we will be deleting all contact and personal information of those registered to receive notifications of strategic planning consultations from Spelthorne Borough Council via the existing Inovem consultation platform. Only the contact details of statutory consultees, such as the Environment Agency, will be kept on file, along with all representations made during Local Plan consultations. Please see our privacy policy here for more details.
If you wish to receive notifications and updates about future strategic planning consultations and projects, please register on the Shaping Spelthorne: Strategic Planning Engagement Hub at this link. To register, you need to enter your email address under ‘Email’ in the pink box at the start of the home page.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the time you have invested in engaging in the Local Plan process and other strategic planning consultations and we hope you will continue to do so through the new engagement hub."
Sunbury Unveils New Veterans Buddy Bench
Residents are invited to gather at Kings Lawn for the unveiling of the new Sunbury Veterans Buddy Bench as our community marks Armed Forces Day.
Spelthorne Local Plan – Where Things Stand Now
After many years in preparation, the Spelthorne Local Plan has reached a significant milestone. On 4 March 2026, Spelthorne Borough Council received the independent Planning Inspector’s Report on the Examination of the Local Plan, which concludes that the Plan is sound, subject to a number of Main Modifications.
This is an important step forward. A “sound” Local Plan provides the legal and policy framework that guides how planning decisions are made across the borough, including where new homes can be built, how green spaces are protected, and how infrastructure such as schools, roads and flood mitigation is planned.
What does “sound, subject to modifications” mean?
The Inspector, Jameson Bridgwater, has confirmed that the Plan can be adopted provided the Council incorporates a defined set of Main Modifications. These changes are intended to strengthen the Plan, address legal and technical matters, and ensure it complies with national planning policy.
- Housing Requirement and Delivery
- Updated housing numbers and trajectory to demonstrate that Spelthorne can realistically meet its identified housing need over the plan period, with clearer assumptions about delivery rates and timing.
- Revised five‑year housing land supply position, including strengthened monitoring arrangements to ensure delivery remains on track.
- Site Allocations (including Green Belt)
- Removal or amendment of specific housing site allocations where deliverability could not be demonstrated.
- Clearer justification for Green Belt releases, ensuring they meet national policy tests and are limited to what is strictly necessary.
- Flood Risk and Climate Change
- Strengthened policies on flood risk management, reflecting Spelthorne’s particular vulnerability and ensuring development is directed away from areas of highest risk where possible.
- Enhanced requirements for sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and climate resilience measures within new developments.
- Infrastructure and Deliverability
- Clearer links between new development and supporting infrastructure, including transport, schools, healthcare and utilities.
- Stronger wording to ensure that development is phased alongside infrastructure provision, rather than infrastructure lagging behind housing growth.
- Policy Clarity and Consistency
- Amendments to improve clarity, internal consistency and effectiveness of several policies, ensuring they can be applied robustly when determining planning applications.
- Alignment of policies with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), particularly on sustainable development, design quality and environmental protection.
- Monitoring and Review
- Enhanced monitoring framework, setting out how the Council will track housing delivery, infrastructure provision and policy effectiveness.
- Clear triggers for reviewing the Plan if delivery falls behind expectations.
What happens next?
The Local Plan will now be considered at an Extraordinary Meeting of the Environment & Sustainability Committee, followed by an Extraordinary Full Council meeting, where councillors will decide whether to formally adopt the Plan with the required modifications. If adopted, it will replace the outdated 2009 planning framework and become the primary basis for determining planning applications across Spelthorne.
What does this mean for Lower Sunbury?
For Lower Sunbury residents, adoption of the Local Plan will bring greater clarity and certainty. Decisions on development will be made against up‑to‑date policies covering flood risk, Green Belt protection, design quality and infrastructure provision. Importantly, once the Plan is adopted, speculative development proposals that do not align with its policies should carry less weight.
Your Residents' Association will continue to monitor progress closely and keep members informed as the Plan moves toward final adoption.
More...
Spelthorne Business Awards return for landmark 8th and final year
The Spelthorne Business Awards return for their landmark 8th and final year in the borough, celebrating the talent and achievements of our diverse local business community.
Over the last eight years the Awards have become a showcase for Spelthorne’s entrepreneurial excellence, recognising organisations of all shapes and sizes, from innovative start‑ups and solo enterprises to established local employers, creative ventures and high‑growth companies.
The 2026 Spelthorne Business Awards remain completely free to enter, with a simple application process suitable for businesses at any stage of their journey. With categories spanning a wide range of sectors, this special final edition will culminate in one outstanding organisation being named Spelthorne Best Business of the Year.
Key Dates:
- Open for Entries: Wednesday 4 March 2026
- Entries close: Midnight, Friday 19th June 2026
- Finalists announced: July 2026
- Awards ceremony: Friday 2 October 2026
This year's ceremony promises to be a memorable celebration, honouring eight years of achievement and bringing together the organisations that have shaped Spelthorne’s economic landscape.
Why Enter?
Being shortlisted or winning a prestigious award offers visibility, enhanced credibility, and opportunities for meaningful new connections.
Last year’s Best Business winner, Catherine Hayes from Totally Tangerine commented ' the awards have really given the business an extra sense of gravitas and opened the doors to new opportunities. The awards have also been a brilliant way to connect and collaborate with other inspiring small businesses - it has led to partnerships in the past and hopefully new collaboration in the future'.
Who Can Enter?
Businesses with a trading address in the borough are eligible to enter, free of charge. To submit an application or find full terms and conditions, visit www.spelthorne.gov.uk/SBA.
For more details, please visit the Council's website.
Riverside Players Present Licence to Kill at the RAC 10th - 11th April
Box Office and details of venue as in poster:
Chain Gang to Raise Funds for Mayor's Charities on 13th March at the SCC
The next Music Night, on Friday 13th March, is Sunbury Cricket Club's now-traditional annual event in aid of The Mayor of Spelthorne’s Charities, featuring its house band THE CHAIN GANG. This year’s Mayor of Spelthorne is Cllr. John Doran, a councillor for Stanwell North, whose charities are Surrey Care Trust – Stanwell Community Group,1st Stanwell Air Scout Group, Families Thriving Together and Spelthorne Museum.
As ever, the Club has assembled the great and good of our local musicians collective based at the Club led by Music Night organiser Paul Watts, under their customary name of THE CHAIN GANG in honour of the Mayor’s chain of office, to give their services free to perform what will be a great night of 60s, rock ‘n’ roll, blues, country and rock classics.
This year’s line-up features Karl Green, the former original and long-time bass player in Herman’s Hermits, along with guitarists Gerry Cook, formerly of The Saxons and now with a host of bands, and Tim Renton from 3AM, plus bass players Martin House, also from 3AM and Roger Harding from the Thames TV Big Band, drummer Stephane Booroff from Sky High and The Escorts, and who was formerly with Edison Lighthouse, plus harmonica wizard and blues singer Geoff Forester, who has played with numerous blues luminaries.
All proceeds go to the Mayor’s Charities, and the Club looks forward to a bumper crowd for a fun community night to raise as much as they can for some very good causes.
Hot food, prepared by our resident caterers Surplus To Supper, will be available as usual from about 6.30pm, with the band on stage around 8.30 pm or soon after.
Admission is £10.00 on the door, payable by cash or card.
London Irish Amateur Mini Festival at Hazelwood Centre 25th/26th April
The London Irish Amateur Mini's Festival is taking place at Hazelwood this year on the weekend of 25th / 26th April. This is an early notification for local residents but judging by the last couple of years when the Festival has been spread over 2 weekend days (unlike the parking chaos when the whole Festival was played on one day only), it is unlikely to cause too much of an inconvenience.
The 60s All Stars Come to the SCC on 20th February
The next Music Night at Sunbury Cricket Club is on Friday 20th February when the Club welcomes back THE 60s ALL STARS, who have been regular visitors ever since performing the first Music Night more than 15 years ago and always give a fun night, with a rip-roaring evening of wall-to-wall beat era classics.
Their line-up for this gig comprises Alan Lovell of The Swinging Blue Jeans on guitar and vocals, Steve Oakman, son of former Bruvver and ’Picture Of You’ composer Pete Oakman, and who is in Los Pacaminos with Paul Young, on keyboards, Roger Flavell, formerly with Geno Washington and Christie on bass, and Graham Hollingworth, who used to tour with Chuck Berry and Cliff Richard, on drums — both Roger and Graham are also regular members of the Swinging Blue Jeans.
Put this one in the diary and get a gang of friends together, because, as always, a great party night can be guaranteed.
Hot food, prepared by our resident caterers Surplus To Supper, will be available as usual from about 6.30pm, with the band on stage around 8.30 pm or soon after, so we hope you can make it. We look forward to seeing you there.
Admission is £10.00 on the door, payable by cash or card.
Sunbury BESS: Appeal is Upheld
On 16 January the UK’s Planning Inspectorate published its decision on Sunbury BESS Limited’s Appeal of the refusal of its planning application made by a 12:2 majority of the Spelthorne Borough Council’s Planning Committee on 17 September 2025.
The Planning Inspectorate agreed that the proposed BESS development on Green Belt land to the northeast of the Eco Park in Charlton Lane represented an ‘inappropriate development that would cause considerable harm to the openness of the Green Belt’ and ‘conflict with its purpose to assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment’. It does however believe that ‘very special circumstances’, in the guise of a potential ‘contribution to the mitigation of climate change and the regulation of electricity flows within the wider supply network’, justify the building of this large and novel industrial development.
LOSRA has strongly opposed the various Sunbury BESS proposals in all three of its iterations since 2024; in doing so, it and its neighbouring RAs in Charlton Village and Shepperton have been fortunate in having individuals with the knowledge and experience of the electricity supply industry to understand and assess exactly what was being proposed. We are therefore extremely concerned to find that the Appeal Decision document published by the Planning Inspectorate contains a number of errors, inconsistencies and anomalies. It even appears to be granting permission to a scheme which, on one significant element at least, is at variance with the revised version of 24/01112/FUL that was submitted by Sunbury BESS Limited on 11 June 2025, refused permission on 17 September and then appealed.
Our three neighbouring RAs have closely analysed the Appeal Decision document and are submitting a detailed joint letter to the Planning Inspectorate which contains a list of our observations. Although the judgement cannot be overturned without recourse to a judicial review by the High Court – a move which would be way beyond the means of our RAs – we are requesting that factual errors and inconsistencies should at least be acknowledged and corrected. We will post an update on this in due course.
Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) SPD Consultation
While HMOs provide important affordable housing, high concentrations in some areas, especially where tenants come from outside the Borough, have led to concerns over noise, anti-social behaviour, parking and community character.
HMOs tend to have higher tenant turnover rates, leading to more frequent void periods and the associated costs of finding new tenants. This can also increase the wear and tear on the property. With multiple tenants, there are more relationships to manage and potential conflicts to resolve.
The following email has been received by LOSRA from the Council and we reproduce it here:
"You've been invited to participate in the Spelthorne Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) Consultation consultation by the consultation manager, Mr Simon Rowberry.
This consultation is open from 28 Jan 2026 at 12:00 to 25 Feb 2026 at 23:59.
Spelthorne Borough Council is asking for public feedback on new planning guidance about Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). This gives residents, landlords, developers and other interested people a chance to have their say.
The consultation is open from 28 January to 25 February and is about a draft document, called a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), that explains the Council’s approach to homes that are shared by several unrelated people, such as shared houses or bedsits.
If the guidance is approved, it will be used when the Council decides future planning applications for HMOs. It explains what the Council will look at when deciding whether a proposal is acceptable.
HMOs help meet local housing needs, but if there are too many in one area or they are poorly designed, they can cause problems for neighbours. The draft guidance explains how the Council will assess applications, including issues such as:
- preventing too many HMOs in one area
- protecting neighbours from noise and disturbance
- ensuring rooms are a suitable size
- dealing with waste and recycling
- providing adequate parking
- making sure buildings are well designed
The Council wants to hear from local residents, businesses and other groups to make sure the guidance is fair, clear and reflects what matters most to the community.
To take part in the consultation visit https://spelthorne.inconsult.uk/HMOSPD/consultationHome.
All feedback received during the consultation period will be considered before the guidance is finalised.
To report an unlicensed HMO, visit www.spelthorne.gov.uk/report."
Last Chance to Give Views on Spelthorne BC’s Confusing and Contentious Parking Proposals
Unless the closing date is further extended (which we believe it should – see below), residents only have until Monday 26 January to respond to the Council’s consultation on its proposed revisions to parking arrangements in the Borough.
These revisions involve a wide range of changes to the ways that parking is managed and charged. Of particular interest to those in Lower Sunbury are proposals related to the village’s car parks. The most significant of these relates to the current initial free period of one hour’s parking before charges become applicable; as of July 2026 this free period will be reduced to 30 minutes, with charging after that time.
Of rather more concern are different proposals for two car parks, those at the Old Bathing Station in Fordbridge Road and in Green Street, within Sunbury Park. Unfortunately, just what these proposals are depends on which document one reads. A notice that has been displayed in the Green Street car park for several weeks, titled ‘NOTICE OF PROPOSALS’, states that from 16 July 2026 the parking charges for the periods ‘Up to 1 hour’, ‘Up to 2 hours’ and ‘Over 2 hours’ will become free. On the face of it this is excellent news for those who use it to go to the nearby pub, church and shops or to visit Sunbury Park for dog walking or enjoying the café and gallery in the Walled Garden.
However, it appears that this notice is hugely misleading and that the actual proposal is very different indeed. If one takes the trouble to go on to the Council’s website and access a different document, titled ‘THE SPELTHORNE BOROUGH COUNCIL (OFF-STREET PARKING PLACES ORDER - AMENDMENT NO.3) ORDER 2026’, one discovers amongst the long list of proposals the following paragraph:
‘Removal of Abbey Drive, Dumsey Meadow, Old Bathing Station and Green Street from Schedule 1 chargeable tariffs, and addition of the same car parks to Schedule 3 Free parking places with 30 minutes maximum stay.’
So what is actually being proposed is that the Old Bathing Station and Green Street car parks are indeed being made completely free – but one will only be able to park there for 30 minutes, after which, presumably, one will become liable for a significant fine! Given that 30 minutes is an unrealistically short time in which to achieve almost any of the activities noted above, this would seem to be a change that will simply result in drivers seeking to use free on-street parking spaces that are already in short supply for residents.
We believe that the misleading ‘Notice of Proposals’ displayed in the Green Street car park should be removed, corrected and re-displayed, with the consultation period further extended to allow residents to respond to what is really being proposed. In the meantime we urge everyone with views on the proposals to submit a response (to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) ahead of the current 26 January deadline.
