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.
REMINDER - Sunbury Summer Market, 24th June
The Sunbury Summer Market will be making a very welcome return on Sunday June 24th from 11am – 4pm in Avenue Parade. This date has been moved from June 3rd as there were deemed to be too many clashes with other Jubilee activities.
Stalls will be selling food, gifts, clothing and there will be a face painter to decorate your children! The Lower Sunbury Business Community looks forward to welcoming local residents and outside visitors who may be in Sunbury for Open Gardens. If you are available and willing to help put up and take down stalls your help would be appreciated. Please speak to Dennis at Van Wonderen flowers, Avenue Parade.
LOSRA Thanks Local Residents for Their Support at Garden Party
LOSRA is immensely grateful to all those who attended our fundraising Garden Party on Sunday. A beautiful day saw a crowd of 450 local residents turn out to support the event which was made possible by the kind invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Heslop, who live in the Old Vicarage in Church Street and offering to make their beautiful garden available to the Association.
As well as giving local residents the opportunity to view this lovely garden, the LOSRA Summer Garden Party offered food and refreshments including afternoon teas and coffee, bucks fizz and wine bar, a summer BBQ and food from "The Indian Zest." There was live music throughout the afternoon provided by a variety of local musicians and fun things to amuse children. Local products were also available for purchase from a variety of small stands. Boat rides to see the village from the river completed the list of attractions.
At the latest reckoning, and thanks to your generosity, we succeeded in raising £2080 after all expenses had been paid.
Environment Agency Site, Fordbridge Road, Information Day 23rd June
A steering group has been formed to consider the proposed development of the Riverside Works site in Fordbridge Road. Following numerous site meetings an information day will now be held at the Riverside Arts Centre on Saturday 23 June from 10am to 3pm, where you can find out more about the early plans for the site, give your feedback and get your questions and queries answered.
The steering group comprising the Hon.Chairman, LOSRA, John Hirsh and Jenny Grant of CAROD (Campaign Against Riverside Over-development) representing the local community, the developer Linden Homes and the Environment Agency, has as its purpose:
- To work together to support the best possible development of the Riverside Works site on Fordbridge Road in lower Sunbury, taking account of the views, needs and desires of all the parties involved.
- To work with the local community and other stakeholders and ensure they are involved and consulted in the planning for the site.
The steering group was formed following the dismissed appeal in February 2011. All involved recognised that it would be much more effective and productive if the different interest groups were to work together and resolve outstanding issues, leading to a development everyone could get behind.
The steering group has now met four times and has developed a set of principles for the development to inform everything going forward. Those principles are:
- Separate access – one for residents, one for the Environment Agency to allow them to continue their vital maintenance work on the river;
- 2 storeys as the preferred height across the development, with the option of considering accommodation in the roof (i.e. 2.5 storeys) subject to the agreement of the steering group and the local community;
- Density – no more than 50 dwellings on the whole site (as specified in the Local Development Plan Document);
- A desire to see as many family homes on the site as possible, subject to the agreement of the local authority and the community;
- A commitment to ensure the development is of high quality and fits well within the lower Sunbury community;
- A workshop is part of the development and needs to meet the operational needs of the Environment Agency and take account of the needs and concerns of current and future residents and the wider community;
- All the parking for the development will be accommodated within the site.
Building on these principles, the steering group has developed a draft overall site strategy plan along with two very early sketches showing a couple of layout options for the development. These plans are available to download and view by clicking here.
If you have any questions or queries regarding these early options, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Sunbury Adult Learning Centre - Course Details
SUNBURY ADULT LEARNING CENTRE, which is situated in The Avenue, offers a wide variety of courses such as ballroom and Latin American dancing, calligraphy, languages, photography, pottery and upholstery. There are Saturday workshops and a range of Supported Learning classes. The programme includes lip reading courses and English as a Foreign Language.
This is a great way to make friends while learning a new skill or brushing up on one. The Centre offers discounts for over 60’s not in full time employment (20%) and those on certain benefits (50%). The Autumn/Spring programme is available from 2nd July.
For further information phone 01932 794514 or click here for course information.
Sunbury and Shepperton Arts Festival
The Sunbury and Shepperton Arts Association has great pleasure in announcing its summer Festival. There is something to suit all tastes, including comedy, big band, classical music, a balalaika band and a celebrity luncheon with Phyllida Law. For details of all events click here.
London Irish Applications to be Heard next Thursday
Despite a very long 3 year campaign and two refusals on appeal, it will come as a great disappointment to read that the Planning Officer now recommends approval of the development of The London Irish Avenue Site and the Hazelwood Golf Course.
As mentioned on this Site before, the refusals on appeal were heavily qualified by the Planning Inspector and it was only a matter of time before London Irish would carefully examine the caveats contained within the Planning Inspector's report and submit further applications. This they have now done and the Planning Officer's reports may be viewed by clicking here.
More...
Sunbury Open Gardens - Sunday 24th June, 11am to 5pm
The tenth anniversary of the Sunbury Open Gardens promises to be the best yet, with even more gardens to visit than usual. (www.sunburyopengardens.co.uk)
From a cottage garden with a Thai theme, to Sunbury’s premier garden at Monksbridge, there is something for everyone. Walk where Prince Edward met for trysts with his mistresses before Wallace Simpson came on the scene. Take in the Italianate or ponder over a plantswoman’s pride and joy. There will be the work of others to enjoy and ideas to take away and you will be helping to raise funds for the Shooting Star Chase Children’s Hospice and St Mary’s Church.
Homemade cakes and jams, books, plants, teas and cakes and refreshing drinks are all on offer; together with a mega raffle with prizes from a flat screen TV to tickets for the Hampton Court Flower Show. Tickets for the gardens are £4 in advance (£5 on the day) from Skinners in the Avenue, from the Sunbury Embroidery Gallery, or by telephoning Sue on 019327 786675.
LOSRA AGM Wednesday 13th June
Residents are reminded that the Annual General Meeting of our Association will take place at the Riverside Arts Centre, Thames Street, on Wednesday 13th June at 8pm
AGENDA
- Apologies for Absence
- Minutes of 2011 AGM
- Chairman's Report
- Treasurer's Report
- Proposed Amendments to Constitution
- Election of Officers
- Talk by Heather Morgan, Head of Planning & Housing Strategy
- Open Forum
- Any other Business
As always, we like to have a special guest at our AGM in order to provide residents with an extra reason for making the effort to attend. We are very fortunate to welcome Heather Morgan, Head of Planning & Housing Strategy, who will speak on topical planning issues including the recently published National Planning Policy Framework; and its implications for the Borough of Spelthorne. Regrettably, comment on specific applications yet to be heard by Planning Committee may not be possible.
Burmese Blue Has Gone Missing
Answering to the name of 'Blue' this neutered 8 year old male cat has gone missing from the School Walk/Lyndhurst Avenue area.
He was last seen on the morning of the Monday Jubilee bank holiday and is known to have quite a range in his travels. He has gone missing before but has always previously returned within 24 hours.
Residents in the vicinity are asked to check sheds or other outbuildings in which he might have taken shelter during the changeable weather we have been experiencing.
If you think you may have seen him or know of his whereabouts please contact 07515 637474.
60s All Stars Return to Sunbury Cricket Club 15th June
The next Music Night at Sunbury Cricket Club is on Friday 15th June when the 60s All Stars make a long-overdue and very welcome return.
They kicked off the Music Nights when it was all a bit experimental, and gave us a fantastic show that gave us the confidence that we were on the right track. They are all great performers with a pedigree with top acts, featuring Mick Avory, original and long-time drummer with The Kinks, Alan Lovell from the Swinging Blue Jeans, John Dee from The Foundations and Del Mandel, a former member of George Harrison's Band.
At the last gig they invited requests towards the end, and knew every song that anyone could throw at them, and in the end pretty much everyone was dancing. We can guarantee a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining evening, so put a gang of friends together and come along for a fun night of top class '60s and rock 'n' roll classics. Entrance £7.50 on the door.
London Irish Applications - Update on Progress
Most residents will be aware that the time for letters opposing the London Irish applications expired on 11th May but we have not been idle. Just before the bank holiday Jubilee weekend LOSRA, SOLID and HAG met with the Head of Planning Policy and the Senior Planning Officer before she had begun her report with recommendations.
We were not given a steer as to which way the SPO would incline her report, nor did we expect one, but we were given two valuable hours in which to make the case for opposition to both The Avenue applications and the Hazelwood Golf Course. The recently published National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was central to the discussion as were the reports of the Planning Inspector and Secretary of State following London Irish's unsuccessful appeals.
Much of the discussion centred on the contrasting interpretation of the NPPF which has not yet been tested on appeal or at the High Court. Put simply this means that there is no precedent to which either we or the SPO could refer for guidance. Not surprisingly our take on the NPPF did not correspond exactly with that of the Head of Planning Policy; and the NPPF is nuanced in such a way as to bring to mind Shakespear's "the devil can cite scripture for his own purpose". Nevertheless, our points were put as powerfully as we could and it now remains to be seen whether they have succeeded in persuading the SPO to recommend refusal of The Avenue applications. The representations in respect of The Hazelwood Golf Course centred exclusively on additional and very exacting conditions to which the SPO gave very careful attention but, again, without any indication as to the weight she would give the evidence presented to her.
The Planning Committee will consider the applications on Thursday 21st June.
Planning Committee Refuses Police College Development
A packed public gallery at the Council Chamber heard the Head of Planning Development & Control argue the case for approval of the Linden Homes development proposals for the Police College site in Green Street. The recommendation for approval was countered by a well argued case put by a long standing resident representing the Police College Development Action Group and four local ward councillors. Principal among the objections concerned the density, considered to be too high, and access to the site. After much deliberation the Planning Committee determined that the application should be refused on a majority of 10 - 5.
It is understood that Linden Homes will now be considering its options and whether or not to appeal the Committee's decision. This site will be updated just as soon as more is known.
Kempton Girls FC to Host Summer B.B.Q and Penalty Shoot Out
Kempton Girls Football Club announce a sponsored penalty shoot out and summer B.B.Q. on Friday 22nd June from 7pm - midnight.
The event which will be held at the Kempton FC grounds at Kempton Avenue, Sunbury, has something for all the family and will include a bouncy castle, cake sale and bar. A special guest for the evening will be the goal keeper of the Chelsea Ladies team, Sarah Quantrill.
For the event poster click here
The KGFC is supported by the Football Foundation's 'Grow the Game' programme to increase the number of girls' teams at the Club and the quality of coaching. To learn more about this very worthwhile programme, click here to see press release.
Football and Athletics Stadium Proposed on Walton Bank
Thanks to a local resident who got in touch with LOSRA, we have become aware of plans by Elmbridge Borough Council to construct a massive sports complex on land adjacent to the Xcel Leisure Centre in Waterside Drive, Walton. The development will include a new football and athletics stadium incorporating spectator seating, changing facilities, function/club rooms, floodlighting, additional football and sports pitches. The design and access statement may be viewed by clicking here.
The Association welcomes any addition to sporting and leisure facilities but has every reason to be concerned about the scale and ambition of this particular proposal, most especially as the development would have very serious implications for the peace and tranquility of the public and residents in Lower Sunbury. To view the letter of representation, click here.
