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' Update
Viewers will note that commissioning of the anaerobic digester at the ‘Eco-park’ has slipped yet further and the contractors, SUEZ, are not even forecasting when this will take place.
Summertime Music in the Walled Garden
All are welcome to free afternoons of music in the beautiful surroundings of the Walled Garden, Thames Street, Sunbury-on-Thames, TW16 6AB.
All performances start at 2pm and finish at 4pm. A limited number of chairs are available at the Walled Garden or you are welcome to bring your own.
Sunday 11 June - Jake Fryer and All That Jazz
Sunday 18 June - Saxophany
Sunday 25 June - Sing Spelthorne
A new Mayor for Spelthorne
The following press statement has been released by Spelthorne Council:
Cllr Vivienne Leighton was elected as the new Mayor for Spelthorne at the Annual Council Meeting held on Thursday 18 May. Cllr Jean Pinkerton OBE was elected as Deputy Mayor.
Since being first elected to the Council in May 2003, representing Shepperton Town, Cllr Leighton has held a number of Cabinet positions over nine years as well as serving on several internal committees including the Planning and Licensing Committees. She has represented the Council on outside bodies including Surrey Supporting People Commissioning Body, and chaired Spelthorne Neighbourhood Watch.
Cllr Leighton is a retired bank officer and has lived in Spelthorne for 31 years. Living alongside the Thames, the new Mayor has a keen interest in all aspects of river life having also represented Spelthorne on the flooding inquiry in 2003 and the Management Committee of River Thames Alliance since 2006. She was also a school Governor for twelve years.
During her term as Mayor, Cllr Leighton will be supporting the following charities:
Spelthorne Dementia Support (Purple Angels) : helping to raise awareness of dementia-related illnesses and giving assistance to Alzheimer’s sufferers and their carers
Impossible Dream: providing river trips for wheelchair users
Swan Sanctuary: a rescue centre and registered veterinary practice specialising in waterfowl
Speaking during the meeting, Cllr Leighton said: I hope to appeal to different interests and different parts of the community. I want to celebrate the river and its environment, support the frail and older, involve young people and celebrate their talents … and have some fun on the way.
“I look forward to supporting local events and meeting as many people as I can over the next 12 months.”
TW12 Jazz Festival Comes to Sunbury on the 3rd June
Since the inception of the annual TW12 Jazz Festival five years ago it will be the first time that part of it is destined to take place at the Riverside Arts Centre in Thames Street, Sunbury. The RAC has now become an established venue for the monthly jazz gigs organised by mood indigo events and which have proved to be very successful.
To see the poster for the Saturday line-up click here
The complete 3 day programme with booking instructions may be viewed by clicking here
Manor Lane Cottage, 126, Green Street - A development too Far?
The vast majority of single dwelling development applications imply improvements not only for their owners but in the local housing stock generally. Occasionally however, this Association feels bound to object when an application is likely to impact adversely on the wider community; and the proposed development of a site currently occupied by a single bungalow (Manor Farm Cottage) into a block of nine (1 x 1 bed and 8 x 2 bed) flats at the busy road junction of Green Street and Manor Lane falls squarely into that category.
Residents who wish to make representations have until 24th May to do so. Submissions may be made via the planning portal at the Spelthorne Council Website quoting reference number: 17/00649/FUL.
Our Chairman has written on behalf of the Association and his submission may be viewed by clicking here
Update on night lighting in Spelthorne
The reinstatement of street lighting in Spelthorne has been of major concern to local residents in Lower Sunbury. The following announcement from Spelthorne Borough Council explains the position as it currently stands:
“Street lighting is the responsibility of the County Council. In October 2016 the County Council's Cabinet approved a decision to implement part-night lighting across Surrey. This was rolled out in Spelthorne in March 2017.
“Due to concerns raised by residents, a high proportion of whom are shift workers, an agreement was made in principle between the Leaders of Spelthorne Borough Council and Surrey County Council to reinstate the lights in Spelthorne for an initial period of five years, on the understanding that the Borough Council would find the necessary funding.
“Spelthorne Council was hopeful that this could be implemented quickly. However the decision was made by the County Council's Cabinet and any amendment must be referred back to that decision-making body. We have been assured that this will be on the agenda for 30 May 2017. If approved a date for the lights to be switched back on will be available after this meeting.”
Further information on the consultation and decision is here
More...
County Council Election Results
The County Council Election results may be viewed by clicking here
Hawkedale May Fair - Saturday 20th May, 1pm - 4pm
Hawkedale Infant School, in Stratton Road, warmly invites you to come and join in the fun and support your local school.
We have a fantastic programme for the whole family; The Lagan will entertain us with live Irish music, Earthsong will offer a drumming workshop and you can get up close and personal in the animal petting zoo. There will be crafts, tea, coffee & cakes, raffle, local traders, tombola's along with fantastic food from the BBQ and a licensed bar; for the whole family to enjoy
Admission £1 for adults & 50p for over 3's. Please note it is cash only.
Enjoy jazz at the Embroidery Gallery Friday 12th May
The Friends of Sunbury Embroidery are holding their next Gallery Gathering on Friday 5th May with a Springtime Social, with sophisticated gentle ‘live’ jazz courtesy of Café Society, a trio featuring Jonathan Whines (saxes and flute), Gerry Cook (guitar) and Roger Harding (bass).
Tickets are £5.00, including a glass of wine and are available from the Embroidery Gallery, in the Walled Garden, behind the Magpie Car Park in Thames Street, or just come along and pay on the night.
It’s a chance to enjoy some excellent music in the delightful informal surroundings of the Gallery and café, and have a stroll round the award-winning Walled Garden.
The event starts at 7.30pm and the music gets under way around 8pm.
Guitarist John Etheridge to Appear with Terence Collie Trio at the RAC on 14th May
John Etheridge's reputation in the jazz world cannot be overstated. A genuinely virtuosic fusion guitarist, Etheridge is one of a handful of players who can claim to have helped shape the character of modern jazz guitar.
He has been described by fellow fretsman Pat Metheny as 'one of the best guitarists in the world', a distinction that is due in no small part to his tireless exploration of the possibilities of his instrument.
A hugely respected artist in his own right, Etheridge also claims an impressive collaborative history, from his seminal work with groundbreaking fusion group Soft Machine to his longstanding status as the guitarist of choice for jazz icon Ste'phane Grappelli.
For more information on John, visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ John_Etheridge
Also appearing with John on the night:
- Piano – Terence Collie
- Bass – Dave Jones
- Drums – Rha Stranges
Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £9 via website: www.moodindigoevents.co.uk or £12 on the door
The 60s All Stars to Bring Rip-roaring night to SCC on 5th May
The next Music Night at Sunbury Cricket Club is on Friday 5th May when the Club welcomes back one of their most popular bands “THE 60S ALL STARS” for what has now become something a traditional occasion with a bit of a party night to kick off the League cricket season.
The 60s All Stars always give us a rip-roaring night - comprising Mick Avory, the original and long-time drummer with the Kinks, Alan Lovell from the Swinging Blue Jeans, John Dee of The Foundations and Del Mandel, formerly with The George Harrison Band and Crispian St. Peters, they are one of the best revival bands around. We know that a hugely entertaining evening of wall-to-wall Sixties and rock ‘n’ roll classics is absolutely guaranteed, and we can look forward to a real fun evening. Pass the word around and bring your friends - this is one not to be missed.
There’s full info at www.the60sallstars.co.uk. There will be food available as usual from around 7p.m. £7.50 at the door. To see flier, click here.
Residents Say “No” to Revised Application at London Irish Site
When new home owners moved into the very desirable development at the former London Irish site they had bought in to the “Superior living in a beautifully landscaped setting....stunning 3, 4, and 5 bedroom houses combined with a village setting” in the Crest Nicholson prospectus and had paid prices commensurate with that vision.
It is not surprising therefore, that an amended application to replace the four x 5 bedroom houses with a block of 24 flats was viewed as a breach of good faith and would also irrevocably alter the character of the “village setting” marketed by Crest Nicholson themselves.
Local councillor, Alf Friday, combined with residents to oppose the application at Planning Committee and succeeded (against officer recommendation) to persuade the Committee to refuse unanimously on the grounds that ‘The proposed development, which is in a prominent location when entering the site through the southern access via The Avenue, would, by reason of the location and the scale, massing and height of the building, represent an overdevelopment of the site which would be out of character with and have an unacceptable impact on, the surrounding locality and would fail to make a positive contribution within the street scene, contrary to policy EN1 (a) of the Council’s Core Strategy and Policies DPD 2009.’ Crest Nicholson have 6 months to appeal this decision.
Eco Park Operations - Update
The following is an extract of an email received from Emma Jordan, Corporate Affairs Manager, Recycling and Recovery UK:
“....We are writing to let you know that works are getting underway to create the entrance and internal road layout for the Eco Park.
These works will last around six months and will affect access to the community recycling centre. As a result, waiting times may be affected, particularly at busy times. Temporary changes to the community recycling centre entry and exit roads during the works will be clearly marked and to help residents, we are extending the opening time to 6pm on weekdays from Monday 3 April until the end of September.
Our staff will continue to work to minimise disruption and will be on hand to help residents using the recycling centre. However during this period, residents may wish to visit the site when it is less busy (mid-week and earlier in the day) or use the nearest alternative community recycling centres at Martyrs Lane, Woking and Lyne Lane, Chertsey.
We will be displaying posters in the community recycling centre to advise residents of the works and we are also updating the project website.
We would be grateful if you could share this information with your networks and for those members representing residents associations, if you could notify your respective organisations.
If you have any queries regarding these works, please let us know.
Kind regards,
Emma Jordan
Corporate Affairs Manager
Recycling and recovery UK
Council welcomes rail announcement
Spelthorne Borough Council has welcomed the announcement by the Department for Transport that it intends to award FirstGroup the contract to operate the South Western rail franchise until at least 2024, in a joint venture with MTR.
FirstGroup has committed to deliver £1.2billion of investment and improve the experience for customers by delivering better trains, more seats and quicker journeys – all good news for the thousands of Spelthorne residents who use the rail network each day for work and leisure.
The Council has also taken the opportunity to reiterate its call for Zone 6 to be extended into the Borough and is supporting the work of the Spelthorne in the Zone campaign group which is meeting with the new rail operator to discuss reclassifying the zones. Currently Zone 6 ends at Feltham meaning oyster cards cannot be used at Spelthorne stations.
Spelthorne Council’s Deputy Chief Executive, Terry Collier, said: “Having a fast and efficient rail service is vitally important for Spelthorne and we hope the planned improvements will mean better journeys for passengers and provide a boost for the local economy. We look forward to working closely with FirstGroup and MTR in the coming months and progressing discussions about bringing Spelthorne into Zone 6.”
