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 2024 are now payable.
Page Aerospace, Forge Lane/Green Street - Public Consultation on Development Proposals
Many local residents will be aware of the door-to-door canvassing which was conducted on the 12th August in the streets neighbouring Page Aerospace in Forge Lane at the junction with Green Street. Residents who were unavailable at the time of the door knocking were provided with a letter explaining that Fairview were looking to bring forward housing proposals for the site and were given contact details should they have questions.
It seems that quite a few people have since been in touch and the "vast majority appear favourable towards the site’s redevelopment, with most taking the view that the housing numbers and design is appropriate for the site and the area". (Sarah Wardle, Curtin & Co, for Fairview New Homes). Fairview have also met some of the local ward Councillors to ensure that they are aware of the forthcoming proposals.
Public Exhibition
A public exhibition is planned for Tuesday 22nd of September between 12 noon and 8pm, on the site itself. Curtin & Co will be sending out leaflets to 4,500 homes in the Sunbury area a week before the exhibition and inserting adverts into local papers. In addition, residents living closest to the site and local councillors will also receive a letter to ensure they are aware of the event.
Members of the project team will be on hand to answer questions and there will be multiple opportunities to leave comments and feedback. There will also be a stand-alone consultation website which will go live on the day of the exhibition. The address is www.FairviewPageAerospace.co.uk and it will display the exhibition boards, information about the plans and allow for feedback.
Reminder - River Thames Scheme Drop-in Session at RAC, Thames Street, 11th September
The drop-in session for the River Thames Scheme was advertised on this site on 3rd August. This is a quick reminder for those who may not have put it in their diaries at the time. The session will be held at the Riverside Arts Centre, Thames Street, on 11th September from 4pm - 8pm.
Kempton Park Green Belt - Redrow Homes Makes its Intentions Public
The following self-explanatory email from the Head of Planning and Housing Strategy for Spelthorne Borough Council is reproduced here for the attention of all residents:
I am writing to let you know that Redrow Homes have advised us they will be issuing a press release early next week [see below] to say they have an agreement with the Jockey Club to bring forward proposals for housing development at Kempton Park. They will at the same time email all Borough Councillors.
We understand they will seek to promote the site for housing through the Council’s review of its Local Plan and not through a planning application at this stage. They are well aware of this Council’s strong stance in protecting its Green Belt.
We also understand they are looking at setting up a dedicated web page to provide a public explanation of their intentions and notifying local groups.
At this stage Roberto [Council's Chief Executive] and I wanted to give you the earliest notice of what we understand to be Redrow’s intentions.
I will be able to give further advice, as required, when we see what they actually say but if you have any queries in the meanwhile let me know.
Regards
John Brooks BSc DipTP DMS MRTPI MCMI
Head of Planning and Housing Strategy
Redrow's press release may be viewed by clicking here
Please also keep in touch by joining the mailing list of Keep Kempton Green which may be accessed at the top of this page.
Swan Pays A Very Brief Visit to Stile Path
This swan walked up Green Street two days ago. Apparently it was a female from last year’s brood and had been driven off Flower Pot Green by a breeding pair.
She took a liking to a patch of greenery on the corner of Stile Path.
If you happened to see her and have now noticed her absence, worry not as a man from the Swan Sanctuary came round within minutes and took her off to the Swan Sanctuary at Fordbridge Road.
3AM Rocking Blues Band Comes to Sunbury Cricket Club on Friday 11th September
The next Music Night at the SCC falls on Friday 11th September when the Club welcomes 3 AM for the first time. They are an excellent rocking blues band who gig regularly and are well-received wherever they go. A very entertaining evening of up-front blues rock in the classic Sunbury Music Night tradition is guaranteed.
Leader and guitarist Tim Renton was in Reign back in the ‘70s signed to EMI, supporting the likes of Genesis, Moody Blues and Family on major tours, and he was also in The Wombles, appearing on Top of the Pops on a number of occasions. Lead singer is Laura Long, an exciting and raunchy vocalist who has worked on the jazz scene over the years, while keyboard player Chris Parren is a seasoned session musician who has toured or recorded with The Strawbs, AC/DC, James Burton, Maggie Bell, Hudson-Ford, Jim Capaldi, Judy Tzuke and George Michael; and also starred/played in 70’s TV hit “Rock Follies”. The line-up is completed by Phil Evans (bass) and drummer Jamie Fisher, both with a lengthy pedigree in the business.
Their dynamic stage act features a high proportion of original material, and they have established a great reputation – Lemonrock’s Mac Mclaren said of them “I love the band – so professional and involving, and Laura is just brilliant”. There’s lots of music and video on their web site at www.3am.uk.com, so check them out.
For those of you interested in the Club’s fortunes on the cricket field, the 1st XI sealed their place as champions of the Premier Division of the Surrey Championship last Saturday, and the 3rd XI also finished top of their league, so it’s been a good season – congratulations to all the teams.
Cattle Grazing Trial in Sunbury Park Starts 3rd September
After a number of false starts (see articles of 21/1/14, 7/3/14 & 3/7/14) the cattle grazing in Subury Park will start on 3rd September with a two month trial.
We are not certain how the trial will be monitored nor how it will be judged to have been a success or failure.
The Friends of Sunbury Park (FoSP) have been closely involved in this project from its inception and will doubtless publicise the results in due course.
More...
Cycle/footbridge Feasibility Study Consultation - Final Report
We are very grateful to all those who took the time to complete the ballot paper and give very helpful feedback in response to the public consultation on the cycle/footbridge proposal to connect Lower Sunbury with the Thames Path National Trail at Walton (see article of 22nd March and autumn 2014, spring and AGM 2015 newsletters).
We are delighted to say that an astonishing total of 911 local residents responded to the feasibility study's options. Overwhelming support for the proposal was shown by 92.9% respondents with 2.9% against. 4% were undecided or did not make their preference clearly.
We are indebted to the sponsorship of a private donor who funded the reputable firm, Cratus Communications, to conduct the public consultation on our behalf.
To see the one page executive summary, click here
If you have more time for the thorough and detailed report, click here
Update on 'Eco Park' Development
The following update on the 'Eco Park' development at the Community Recycling Centre (CRC) at Charlton Lane has been received by LOSRA:
I am writing to you with some information on the Charlton Lane Community Recycling Centre in Shepperton that is used by residents in your area, which I hope you will find helpful.
During week commencing Monday 24th August we will begin work on a new reuse centre for the recycling centre. The area where this will be built is clear of containers, and hoarding's will be erected to screen the building works from residents using the recycling centre. We therefore anticipate that there will be minimal disruption to the service from these works.
Two weeks later, during week commencing Monday 7th September, works will begin to the rear of the community recycling centre to build a ramp that will link the recycling centre with the Eco Park’s new recyclable bulking facility and install new drainage. Works in this area are expected to continue into late November and the containers at the rear of the site will be unavailable during this period. The site will continue to accept the full range of materials but with a reduced number of containers, and containers for wood, metal, carpet and cardboard will be relocated inside and adjacent to the transfer station building (those inside will be accessed through the windows).
The change to the layout of the containers and the temporary reduction in the number of containers means waiting times may be affected.
To minimise disruption during the forthcoming period of works, extra staff will be on hand to advise visitors of any changes to the layout of the containers and the opening time will be extended to 6pm Monday to Saturday.
We are also taking steps to inform residents who use the site by handing out flyers, placing adverts in the Surrey Advertiser and the Staines Informer and displaying a banner at the site. The information for residents includes details of when the site is less busy (mid-week and earlier in the day) and details of the nearest alternative community recycling centre in Martyrs Lane, Woking.
Further information about the Eco Park can be found at www.ecoparksurrey.uk and if you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind Regards
Samuel Brownjohn
Recycling and waste recovery UK
Communications Executive
New Speed Tables Create New Problems in Thames Street
Recent changes to the road architecture in Thames Street designed to reduce speed are to be welcomed especially now that it is a designated 20mph zone. Unfortunately one unintended consequence has come to light following a recent downpour, and despite the potential problem having been raised at the initial planning consultation.
A local Thames Street resident's house has been 'battered' by a small river which formed outside his house (illustrated) and which appears to have been caused by poor drainage associated with the newly installed speed tables. The front door to the property swelled and expanded making it impossible for his wife to leave the house. She simply couldn't open the front door. It is reasonable to suppose that further heavy downpours can be expected as the autumn and winter approaches which makes a resolution to the problem a priority.
It may be that other residents in Thames Street have been similarly affected and, if so, are advised to draw it to the attention of our local County Councillor, Tim Evans at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. He has already been made aware of this particular resident's concerns.
Invitation to Next Spelthorne Crime Summit on 22nd September
Kevin Hurley, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, invites residents to attend the next Spelthorne Crime Summit on 22nd September 2015 at Spelthorne Borough Council Offices. It should be noted that space is limited so those wishing to attend are advised to register early.
Rugby World Cup - Closures of the A316 for Twickenham Fixtures
The Rugby World Cup kicks off in just under a month on the 18th September. Many residents were taken by surprise at the closure of the A316 for the England v France warm-up last Saturday. The 'test' closure will be repeated on 5th September for the England v Ireland warm-up fixture. These closures were deemed necessary to iron out any unforeseen promlems ahead of the ten closures which are planned for the Twickenham World Cup fixtures.
To see the relevant RWC dates and rationale behind the transport plan, click here
Heronslea Public Consultation on 25th August Cancelled
The public consultation by Heronslea on the development of Green Belt in Fordbridge Road (see article of 17th August below) has been cancelled. It will now take place at a later date yet to be confirmed. We will update this site just as soon as we have been made aware of any development proposals being put forward and the revised public consultation date. If you have not already done so, please sign up to our weekly e-bulletin at the top of this page.
Checkatrade and WCYT initiatives fo the elderly
Who Can You Trust (WCYT) is a not-for-profit community interest company administered by a semi-retired newspaper editor and set up with the sole aim of alerting and advising people in the 55+ age group about the need to be on their guard against internet scammers, doorstep rogues, fake lotteries, ATM fraudsters, rogue builders, dating tricksters and cheque overpayment fraud. The publications are produced in conjunction with Checkatrade, Surrey Council's preferred supplier of bone fide tradesmen.
The July newsletter for Surrey and the bi-monthly Watch Out magazine - can be viewed as a flip-page version online by clicking here: http://goo.gl/XD3Wn4
Heronslea Group to Develop Old Nursery Site, Fordbridge Road?
The Hertfordshire based company, Heronslea, have indicated their intention to develop the Old Nursery Site in Fordbridge Road and have booked St. Mary's Church Hall on 25th August from 3pm - 8pm to hold a public consultation. Discussions are still ongoing with the local planning authority so further details of the intended development are not yet forthcoming.
LOSRA has expressed its disappointment at the short notice given for this event and we have been advised that the consultation event will be postponed if the pre-application discussions with the LPA have not been concluded in time. We will update the website as soon as we know more.
In the meantime, readers may wish to refer to the latest Keep Kempton Green bulletin 'Developers Circling Old Nursery Site' at the top of this page. As with KKG we are resolutely opposed to the development of our Green Belt in the absence of 'very special circumstances' and, as things stand, it is hard to identify what those 'circumstances' could possibly be.
The Leader of the Council and the Head of Planning Services for Spelthorne Council made their positions very clear at a recent public meeting. Green Belt will not be developed in order to meet a perceived or imaginary housing need. Our local plan makes this very clear.
