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 2025 are now payable.
The Spelthorne Business Plan Competition
The following notice has been published by Spelthorne Borough Council and we are pleased to reproduce it here:
Spelthorne is a hub of creativity and entrepreneurial spirit with residents, keen to carve their own niche in the business world, creating many small companies each year.
Celebrating this wealth of talent and creativity in Spelthorne is Kwasi Kwarteng MP, who is pleased to announce that his initiative to inspire and support Spelthorne residents in starting their own business will officially open again for entries in February 2020.
The Spelthorne Business Plan Competition in partnership with Spelthorne Borough Council will open for entries for the seventh year. This is an opportunity for another Spelthorne resident to be given the chance to make their dream a reality and launch their business. The winner will receive a prize of £3,500 plus mentoring support from local experts to launch their business.
The application process is a simple entry form and then the six best entries will be asked to present their business idea to panel of expert judges at a Dragons Den style final hosted at BP on 11 June 2020.
Each finalist will be given training to perfect their pitch and prepare for the final.
Entries are welcome from individuals or teams of up to four people with at least one being a resident of the Borough. To enter visit www.spelthorne.gov.uk/businesscomp or search @Spelthorne Business Plan Competition on Facebook. The competition is open to Spelthorne residents aged 16 and over.
Applications must be received by Sunday 12 April 2020.
If you would like more information or need help with the application process please email Tracey Carter at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Skeleton Crew Come to SCC on Friday 7th January
The next Music Night falls on Friday 7th February when Sunbury Cricket Club welcomes back SKELETON CREW, whose last two Cricket Club shows have been at their first two Beer Festivals, and it’s a while since they did their last Friday night gig, so it’s great to have them back.
They are led by Paul King, on guitar, mandolin, banjo, harmonica and squeezebox, an original member of Mungo Jerry, who was voted the Evening Standard pub entertainer of the year several years in a row, and was a founder member of the King Earl Boogie Band.
With him on bass is Colin Pattenden, original member of Manfred Mann’s Earth Band in their hit-making days, and now also with Jackie Lynton and the Nashville Teens, plus Chris Bryant on guitar, along with their young drummer/percussionist and cajon player Amber Hough.
Also appearing will be various volunteers wielding the zob sticks! It will be a rollicking evening featuring their distinctive brand of jug band music, blues, skiffle and rock. There’s more info paulking.info/music/
Julian Costello in Tribute to John Coltrane at the RAC, 2nd February
Julian Costello is a London-based musician, composer and teacher. He got a scholarship from Trinity College of Music where he took a Postgraduate Certificate of Performance in the Saxophone.
Julian writes the music for the Julian Costello Quartet, plays in a number of jazz big Bands, in a vocal/cello and guitar trio called Perhaps Trio and in a world music trio called Vertigo with Tabla/Percussion, Oud/Guitar and Soprano Saxophone. He tours constantly throughout Europe.
He will be appearing with the Terence Collie Trio at the Riverside Arts Centre on Sunday 2nd February at 7.45pm.
For booking details, click here
New Monthly Jazz Jam Sessions at the RAC Commences Tuesday 4th February
The sessions will be held at The Riverside Arts Centre between 7.45 and 10pm. No age limit.
For further details click here
Survey on Current Use of Youth Centres in Surrey
The following survey is designed to obtain your views about your current use of Youth Centres in Surrey, and Surrey County Council’s proposed plans to change the way Universal Youth Work is delivered in Surrey.
"Organ Lollipops" - an evening with David Saint. on 15th February, 7.30pm at St Mary's Church, Sunbury
David is well known in the world of Organists. A former Trustee and past Chair of the Royal College of Organists, he was awarded FRCO, FRCM & FRBC (Fellowship of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire) and is currently Chair of the Incorporated Association of Organists (IAO). His recital venues include Europe, Korea and various English Cathedrals. He has been Organist and Director of Music at St Chad's Cathedral and until 2015, he was principal of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
The evening will start with a short talk by David followed by a programme to suit all tastes, including works by Albinoni, Walton, Handel, Bach, Elgar and Walond to name but a few. There will be an interval with light refreshments. Tickets are £10 (£9 for members of FoSM) and £5 for students.
For further information and/or tickets please 'phone 01932785035 /01932 785807
Also see: fosmsunbury.org.uk or Dennis Van Wonderen, the florist on Avenue Parade.
Bring a friend and we look forward to seeing you there!
15th February, 7.30pm at St Mary's Church, Sunbury TW16 6RG
(Parking available in Parish Hall car park, Green Street. 235 & 216 buses stop outside Church).
More...
LOSRA Response to Local Plan Consultation
LoSRA has now submitted its response to the Spelthorne Borough Council’s consultation on the New Local Plan. The Preferred Option in the Plan proposes the release of a significant amount of Green Belt land for development to achieve its allocated target of new homes.
LoSRA remains opposed to such development and the precedent it could set against the Government’s own definition that “the essential characteristics of Green Belts are their openness and permanence”.
Four parcels of Green Belt land have been identified for allocation in the Lower Sunbury area. LoSRA’s comments on these in its response to the Local Plan are focused on the largest of these proposed sites, namely that adjacent to Stratton Road, but similar arguments apply to all Green Belt sites proposed for allocation.
Having studied in detail the reasons for allocating this site, LoSRA believes that the consultant’s judgements made in the two Green Belt Assessment Reports were flawed. The Stratton Road site was originally part of a larger area of Green Belt rightly assessed as being “strongly performing” but was selectively downgraded when that larger area was subsequently sub-divided. LoSRA does not support that downgrading and believes that the Stratton Road site does and should continue to play its vital Green Belt role in helping to maintain separation and preventing urban sprawl. It also notes that any development of the proposed Stratton Road site would face considerable challenges due to the lack of supporting infrastructures.
Furthermore, LoSRA supports Spelthorne Council’s challenge to the Government to reconsider the high number of new houses it is required to see built in the borough as part of its new Local Plan.
Council welcomes further Heathrow consultation
Spelthorne Borough Council has welcomed Heathrow Airport launching a further consultation in regards to their expansion plan.
For further details, click here
Revision of Local Plan – Preferred Options (Green Belt) Consultation - LOSRA's Intended Response
As promised in the January edition of Sunbury Matters we now publish the notes which will fashion the Association’s response to the Preferred Options consultation on the Local Plan. It’s a bit of a heavy read but there is no escaping the technical detail which goes to the heart of our observations. Reminder: the date for replies through the Council website closes at 23.59 on 21st January.
37A French Street - Application 19/01534/FUL
A recent application for the development of four houses at 37A French Street has proved to be very controversial. LOSRA has submitted a representation as follows:
It is noted that there is no design and access statement (DAS) to accompany this application which may have shed light on the reasoning behind what must surely be regarded as a highly speculative proposal for the over-development of this site.
Policy EN1 – Design of New Development
The development proposal fails to satisfy the following elements of the policy: (a) the creation of buildings and places that are attractive with their own distinct identity or make a positive contribution to the street scene and the character of the area in which they are to be situated; (b) achieve a satisfactory relationship to adjoining properties; (c) be designed in an inclusive way to be accessible to all members of the community regardless of any disability; (d) incorporate landscaping to enhance the setting of the development; (g) incorporate adequate provision for the storage of waste and recyclable materials.
Policy CO3 – Provision of Open Space
The development proposal is situated in an area of the Borough with inadequate open space. The Council should therefore require the provision of new on-site open space.
Car Parking
There is currently a single parking space serving the site with no proposed increase (vide the application form). The Supplementary Planning Guidance on parking standards require that 6 (rounded up) spaces be provided. This is particularly important as the site is poorly situated for public transport options. Furthermore, having viewed this site it is evident that the length of French Street most affected comprises some 70% dropped kerbs making out of hours on-street parking extremely difficult as things stand even today.
Conclusion
We submit that this planning proposal is poorly conceived and, in most respects, demonstrates scant knowledge of the Core Strategy and Policies Development Plan Document. We urge you to refuse.
Council Tax 2020/21 - Have your say on next year’s police funding in Surrey
Would you be prepared to pay a little extra on your council tax bill to further improve the policing service in Surrey?
Click here to register your response
The Nashville Teens to kick off the New Year at the SCC on Friday 10th January
On Friday 10th January Sunbury Cricket Club kicks off the New Year in its customary style when they welcome back THE NASHVILLE TEENS in their now traditional New Year slot to start the year as they mean to go on.
They were one of the great names from the ‘60s who had two memorable Top Ten hits in 1964 with “Tobacco Road” and “Google Eye”, and have played storming gigs for the Club over the last six years, so we’re delighted to have them back again this year.
The line-up features their original lead singer Ray Phillips, who has had an unbroken half-century career with the band, as well as making solo records and performing with other line-ups like the British Invasion All-Stars with members of The Yardbirds, Creation and Downliners Sect.
With him in the current Nashville Teens is a line-up of seasoned performers, including Colin Pattenden, member of Manfred Mann’s Earth Band when they had their big hits back in the 70s, on bass, with Simon Spratley of The Ian Campbell Blues Band on keyboards, Ken Osborn from Levee Camp Moan on guitar, Adam Russel on harmonica and Adrian ‘Spud’ Metcalf on drums.
It will be another night of classic ‘60s R&B, featuring in Ray one of the great voices of the beat era. There’s more information at www.Nashville-Teens.com.
Food will be available as usual, so it’s hoped you can make it down to get this year’s Music Nights off to a cracking start. The Club looks forward to seeing you next week.
Simon Spillett, Award Winning Tenor Saxophonist to Join Terence Collie Trio at the RAC, 5th January
Simon Spillett is a multi-award winning English jazz tenor saxophonist.
He has won the BBC Jazz Awards Rising Star (2007), Jazz Journal's Critics' Choice album of the Year (2009), the British Jazz Awards Top Tenor Saxophonist (2011), the Services to British Jazz award (2016).
For details of times and venue, see poster here
LOSRA Wishes All Our Readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our members for their support throughout the year and we are immensely grateful to them.
At this time of year there are many estimable claims upon our wallets but if you value our efforts to represent the local community, for the price of two cups of coffee, you still have time to secure your membership of £5 for 2019.
Please don’t hesitate, do it now by using this link, which takes you to the Membership page of our website.
Many thanks in advance!
