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Thursday, 13 March 2014 08:42

Surrey Herald Front Page Report - LOSRA Response

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Many of our readers will have seen the front page article in last week's Surrey Herald in which it is claimed that the Crest Nicholson plans for the London Irish site in The Avenue are welcomed by LOSRA. Let's be clear: LOSRA, in partnership with SOLID (Sunbury Opposes London Irish Development) has, from the very outset, opposed any development of this site. It was with good reason that the Council had designated the land as 'protected urban open space' and this Association was a party to the Examination in Public at which that designated status was eventually approved by the (then) Deputy Prime Minister's Office.

In these short paragraphs it is not intended to rehearse the myriad stages of a long 6 years campaign. Suffice to say that, at its conclusion, permission to develop the site was eventually granted after a planning inspector, whilst refusing one application, signalled a green light for an alternative scheme provided certain conditions could be met. From this point onwards it was not a question of whether a development would go ahead, but when and what kind. Public consultations followed at which various options were discussed and these were eventuallly reduced to just two; one of which made no on-site provision for affordable housing; and the other, partial provision together with a financial contribution towards the off-site allocation of the remainder. The Local Planning Authority made it very clear that the first of these options would not be acceptable and it is the second which forms the basis of the planning application now up for public consultation (Ref: 14/00275/FUL).

LOSRA was invited by the Surrey Herald to comment and, very much in the spirit of 'best of a bad bunch', and conscious of residents' stated preferences, gave its qualified support. In short being "in favour" of the application should more accurately have read "in favour of this application when compared with all the others which had been variously proposed". We do not believe that the Surrey Herald article accurately reflected this sentiment.

2 comments

  • Comment Link John Hirsh Friday, 14 March 2014 01:39 posted by John Hirsh

    Mark, the possible levels of additional traffic had already been dealt with when the outline plan was up for consideration. Likewise, the environmental impact statement, and additional infrastructure requirements. In a sense, all these ships have sailed and the plan which is now the subject of this application has already taken account of residents concerns and justified their position by the use of very expensive consultants. Regrettably we do not have anything like the resources needed to counter their experts - even if we had a case to put.
    Hope that helps. Ed

  • Comment Link Mark Holder Thursday, 13 March 2014 09:47 posted by Mark Holder

    I have received the letter from Spelthorne Council ref - The planning application now up for public consultation (Ref: 14/00275/FUL).
    This suggests that there is further opportunity on examination of the detailed plans to object further. Is this something that LOSRA intends to do with the support of local residents ? From the items listed that the council can take into account there would seem to be a number that could be used ...Certainly those associated with traffic & pollution and safety that around 400 cars from 190 new houses would create should be voiced? I would be interested in LOSRA's views thanks Mark