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.
'Eco Park' - No Case to Challenge in High Court
Readers will be all too aware that this Association together with Charlton Village Residents Association and SATEP (Shepperton Against The Eco Park) has conducted a long and very costly two year campaign in opposition to the installation of an incinerator at the community waste recycling centre at Charlton Lane. We were up against the formidable resources of Surrey County Council and their determination to see this development succeed without regard to the wishes of local residents. It is with great regret that we must report that our campaign to prevent this most unwelcome development is now over. The following is a self-explanatory extract of an email received from Councillor Smith-Ainsley of Spelthorne BC:
You will recall that I informed you on 6th April that the Council would be seeking legal advice as to whether or not we had a case to enable us to request a Judicial Review over the processes used by Sita and Surrey County Council during the Eco Park incinerator planning process. We decided to use a QC who has great expertise in this field, having successfully fought a similar case elsewhere in Surrey.
Unfortunately his advice is that having reviewed all the evidence available, we do not have a case to bring before the courts for a Judicial Review. This is obviously very disappointing news for all the residents of Spelthorne affected by this incinerator. There are still several hurdles to overcome for SiTA. The Environment Agency have yet to give the proposed incinerator a 'Permit to Operate'. When the draft is available we shall scrutinise it very carefully and reply back to the EA with any recommendations/comments we have to make on it.
With your help we shall also be keeping a close eye on SiTA during the construction phase of the project to ensure that they comply with all the conditions laid down by the County Council regarding noise, dust, operating times, odours, lorry movements and routes etc etc.
Spelthorne Council will be distributing a leaflet in the week beginning 27th May to explain to residents the actions that we have taken so far and the next steps that we are taking. This involves asking our Euro MPs for assistance as well as contacting the Secretary of State for the Environment, who has yet to release the PFI money for the project.
Sunbury Cricket Club to Host Jubilee Event, Monday 4th June
Many residents will be aware from a recent local paper article that a number of Jubilee parties in Lower Sunbury have been cancelled so it gives us particular pleasure to announce an event which will be going ahead as planned.
Sunbury Cricket Club will be holding a Diamond Jubilee fête and garden party at Sunbury CC (Lower Hampton Road TW16 5PS) from 12:00 on Monday 4th June incorporating traditional fare, a bar, BBQ, cream teas, Pimms stall, kids stalls, cake stall, plant stall and many other attractions besides.
The event which will have live music is open to all and is free. To view poster, click here: http://www.sunburycricket.co.uk/socials.php
A Great Blues Night at SCC this Thursday
The next gig at Sunbury Cricket Club this Thursday, 24th May continues the blues theme, as the SCC welcomes one of the great names of the British blues scene, harmonica wizard and singer John O'Leary - he was a prime mover in the blues boom of the late '60s as a founder member of the Savoy Brown Blues Band, then went on to play for many years with the John Dummer Blues band, and formed the blues/rock revue Mainsqueeze in the early '80s with other luminaries like Dick Heckstall-Smith, Eric Bell and Victor Brox.
He is a past master at assembling bands comprising younger musicians with a contemporary approach to the blues, and this current line-up has been in place for several years, so is a finely-honed outfit. John is widely regarded as one of the godfathers of British blues harmonica, and is always invited to play at the Cyril Davis and Junior Wells tribute nights that take place every year, and appears regularly at the 'Back to the Flamingo' nights at the Bulls Head in Barnes.
It wasn't possible to get the Friday night in this mini-tour he is doing, as there was a function already booked at the Club, so it's hoped you will be able to come out on a Thursday night for a chance to see some high-class British blues. For full info, plus music and videos, visit www.johnolearyb.com. Click here to see flier for the event.
Friends and Family Invitation to Sunbury Library
The Friends of Sunbury Library have special events to promote Sunbury Library, The Parade, Staines Road West, Sunbury TW16 7AB.
These include Coffee Mornings (10 till 12) on the first Friday of the month. The next one is on Friday 1st June 2012 and will have coffee and cake for just 25p
More details from Brenda on 01932 784866 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Phone Mast Application in Croysdale Avenue Refused
Visitors to this Site will remember the article published on 29th March headed "LOSRA says No to Phone Mast on Linear (Hawke) Park" in which we outlined our objections to the installation of a twelve and a half metre phone mast where Hawke Park meets Croysdale Avenue. We are delighted to report that the application has been refused by the local Planning Authority and LOSRA will be advised should the applicants decide to appeal the decision.
Piano Recital in Celebration of Diamond Jubilee
The Sunbury & Shepperton Arts Association is delighted to announce an additional Coffee Concert on Saturday 2 June, in celebration of HM The Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Julian Black (piano) will play some delightful and suitably 'Royal' works to celebrate the occasion. For details click here.
More...
Residents Asked to Sign Petition in Opposition to Police College Development Plans
Readers will remember the article describing the Linden Homes application to develop the Police College site in Green Street (See entry for 23rd April below). An e-petition has now been set up and you are asked to click on the following link to give your support.
http://www.petitiononline.co.uk/petition/don-t-be-dense-linden-homes/4389
Texan Blues Comes to Sunbury Cricket Club on Friday 11th May
Another coup for Sunbury CC, as we welcome touring Texan blues star - writer/singer/guitarist/harmonica player - one of the greats of modern era blues, and a friend and disciple of the late Bo Diddley. "The funk of the gulf coast New Orleans, the sweat of good ol' boy Texas boogie, the soul of up the river Memphis, and the smooth sophistication of the big city NY". One absolutely not to be missed, and tickets are available for advanced sale now: www.hamiltonloomis.com. For the poster, please click here.
LOSRA Opposes London Irish Revised Development Plans
Whilst recognising the comparative merits of both applications by London Irish in respect of their Avenue site, it has always been our intention to oppose any development of this important area of protected urban open space; and our letter of representation may be viewed by clicking here.
Likewise, our opposition to the development of Hazelwood Golf Centre remains undiminished. To view this letter of representation, click here.
Lower Sunbury Policing Update April 2012
After 5 years of loyal service to LOSRA residents, PC Barnes announces that she is leaving us for a while and will be replaced by PC Sophie Knight during her absence. Other news includes an invitation to notify police of any street parties planned for the Diamond Jubilee.
Supplementary Planning Documents - Public Consultation
A public consultation on the two Supplementary Planning Documents: Flooding; and Housing Size and Type, has been announced by the Council. The following is the emailed announcement received by LOSRA who will be responding in time to meet the deadline. Any resident who wishes to contribute should do so by following the instructions described below.
I am writing to let you know that Spelthorne Borough Council is due to start a four week public consultation on the final drafts of the above two documents. Attached are copies of the two SPDs and further supporting documents. I invite you to let us have your views by Monday 28 May 2012. Representations are encouraged to be submitted using the on-line form: http://www.spelthorne.gov.uk/AF3/an/default.aspx/RenderForm/?F.Name=avcagjrbzsn . They can also be submitted by post or email using the attached response form (one form for each SPD), but please only use one of the alternative methods of response.
The purpose of the Flooding SPD is to elaborate on Policy LO1 set out in the Council’s Core Strategy and Policies Development Plan Document (DPD). It is intended to ensure that the Council provides clear guidance on the factors which need to be taken into account in preparing and determining applications for development in areas of flood risk. The SPD in particular provides further guidance on how flood risk may be managed.
The purpose of the Housing Size and Type SPD is to elaborate on Policy HO4 set out in the Council’s Core Strategy and Policies DPD. It is intended to ensure that the Council secures the right mix of dwellings providing one, two, three and four plus bedrooms in new development, so that, together with the existing housing stock, the housing needs of the Borough are best met. The SPD in particular provides further guidance on the dwelling mix required in developments which incorporate an element of affordable housing.
Subject to the outcome of this consultation, the Council intends to formally adopt these SPDs later this year. Further details on the preparation and consultation process are set out in the accompanying Consultation Statement.
If you would like any further information or have any queries on the above matters please do not hesitate to contact me.
John Brooks Bsc DipTP DMS MRTPI MCMI
Deputy Head of Planning and Housing Strategy
Spelthorne Borough Council
Council Offices, Knowle Green, Staines TW18 1XB
Tel: (01784) 446346
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Diamond Jubilee Street Party Cancellation
LOSRA has received a number of enquiries regarding a Diamond Jubilee street party which was to have taken place in Hawke Park on 3rd June. It would appear that the planned event has now been cancelled; and that the cancellation has been greeted by a mixed response from residents in the neighbourhood.
We would like to point out that LOSRA was not instrumental in the organisation of the event, nor that we had any involvement from its inception or during its planning stages. We would also therefore like to confirm that we made no representations to the Council or any other parties in respect of the event's feasibility. This disclaimer is intended only as a courtesy to inform members that any enquiries should be directed to the organisers rather than to LOSRA.
Linden Homes Revise Application for Police College Site
Following discussions between local campaigners, the Planning Office and Linden Homes, an amended application has now been submitted for the Police College site in Green Street. This application represents a reduction in density of 5 dwellings but does not in any way meet the concerns of local residents. The density is still considered to be far too high when measured against the context of established developments in the immediate area; and, despite strong objections, Linden Homes has retained the site access in Green Street. Details of the revised application may be viewed by clicking here.
Representations should be submitted to the Local Planning Authority by 1st May using the online form or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Melanie Harrold & Band at SCC this Thursday
At £5 on the door, the next event at Sunbury Cricket Club this Thursday 19th April is something of an experiment, as the gig falls on a Thursday since it was the only night Melanie had available during her mini-tour. It is hoped everyone will still be keen to come out, as the Club is also venturing into slightly different musical territory with some electric folk. It's hoped that the event could prove to be another rich musical seam to be mined in the future.
SCC welcomes Melanie Harrold, a fine singer/songwriter who made her name at Jasper Carrott’s Boggery Club and made two excellent albums for DJM in the 70s, first as Joanna Carlin and then reverting to her own name, produced by Hugh Murphy at the same time as he made the landmark “City To City” album with Gerry Rafferty. She went on to front the legendary Hank Wangford Band in the 80s, singing their unique brand of comedy country in the role of Irma Cetas, “the Vera Lynn of the North Sea oilfields”, alongside Gary Taylor, B.J Cole and Andy Roberts, before returning to her folk roots and making the marvellous Daphne’s Flight CD in 1995 with four other female folk luminaries. This gig is part of a mini-tour to promote her re-issue of her two 70s LPs on CD. Melanie's not only a very talented performer, but is also a real personality and raconteur, with a fount of stories from her varied career. It should be an entertaining evening.
