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.
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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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
After a bit of a break while lots of people have been away, Music Nights are back at Sunbury Cricket Club on Friday 21st August when the Club welcomes back THE GOOD OLD BOYS who have always given us a great show when they’ve visited the Club.
They feature a formidable array of experienced performers with illustrious histories in a variety of big name bands, led by Nick Simper (bass/vocals) who first played professionally with Johnny Kidd & The Pirates, going on to play with The Flowerpot Men before becoming a founder member of Deep Purple. After he left Purple, he played with Marsha Hunt, that band morphing into Warhorse, who made albums for Vertigo. After Warhorse, he went on to form Flying Fox and then Fandango.
Peter Parks (guitar/vocals) was also in Warhorse, and then stayed with Nick through the Fandango era in the ‘80s. Simon Bishop (guitar/vocals) toured with Renaissance, High Society, and The Monks (of “Nice Legs, Shame About The Face” fame), while Richard Hudson (drums/vocals) was a long-time member of the south-west London scene as percussionist with high profile hit-makers The Strawbs and then Hudson Ford. He was also with Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera, High Society and The Monks. Alan Barratt (lead singer) was with the British band Jo Jo Gunne and has worked alongside the likes of Chip Hawkes (Tremelos) and Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers.
It goes without saying that they are a top class outfit and we know from their previous gigs that the contrasting lead guitar styles of Peter and Simon makes for a really entertaining range of rock, blues, R&B and country material. Altogether a very entertaining evening is in prospect!
There’s more info at:
http://www.myspace.com/thegoodoldboysofficialmyspace
The following email has been received from Joanne Jones, Community Development Manager at Spelthorne Borough Council and is published here for any resident embarking on a business venture or who needs help with an existing one:
As a Spelthorne resident or business did you know that you're now able to access free online business advice via live chat following our recent partnership with business support website, My Incubator Ventures?
Whether you're thinking of starting a business or an existing business looking for a helping hand, this new service allows you to speak to a professional business adviser via a live chat service, saving you the time and money of having to travel anywhere.
Regular readers of this site will remember past appeals by Thames 21 to assist in clearing vegetation and rubbish at Sunbury Lock Island. Now this very worthwhile Organisation is appealing for volunteers to participate in a less strenuous enterprise. The following email from Luke Dameron, the Thames 21 Project Officer, is self-explanatory and we have pleasure in reproducing it here:
In celebration of the Thames Festival and partnership with other organisations together we are aiming to test 1,000 water samples taken from the River Thames and its tributaries on one day to get a snapshot of Phosphate and Nitrate levels across the Thames River Basin. We specifically request volunteers to test the waters of the Thames and tributaries with water quality kits provided by us between Maidenhead and Teddington. This will take place during working hours of the 14th of September (Monday) 2015, and would require 1 hour of your time.
The reasons for undertaking this activity are, with increasing rural and urban development around our waterways has led to the increasing rate and high levels of Phosphates (P) and Nitrates (N) that can be analysed. It will provide an opportunity for you to be a part of the team producing a snapshot of water quality across the whole Thames River that will help shape regional decisions, and raise awareness of water quality issues in your local area. Phosphate and Nitrate water testing kits are relatively easy to use and full training will be given via practically or online.
If you would like to be play a part in this great event of the Thames Festival and learn to about your local water quality please get in touch with me directly by 11th of August.
Best wishes
Luke
Luke Damerum
Non-Tidal River Thames Project Officer & Maidenhead – Teddington Catchment Partnership Coordinator
Thames21 ‘Bringing Waterways to Life’
E This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The following email has been received from John Cooper of the Environment Agency and will be of particular interest to all our local residents but particularly to those who were affected by the winter 2013/20014 flooding:
"I am now able to confirm that a number of public drop-in events about the River Thames Scheme (Datchet to Teddington) will be held in August and September, including one in Sunbury [at the Riverside Arts Centre, Thames Street] on Friday 11th September. There are 9 drop-in sessions in total, spread across the River Thames Scheme area, to give as many people as possible the opportunity to attend. I hope you will be able to attend one of these sessions. There is no need to book and everyone is welcome to any of the drop-in sessions regardless of their location.
"The events are part of our on-going programme of community and stakeholder engagement on the River Thames Scheme. Communities will get to hear about our plans to reduce flood risk to the 15,000 homes and businesses in the area, as well as the work we and our partners have done since the floods last year. Even more importantly, this is a chance for people to share their local knowledge and insights with us, so that we can develop a scheme that achieves the best outcomes possible for all communities between Datchet and Teddington. Finally, the public will be able to tell us how they want to be kept informed and involved as we progress the scheme over the coming years".
For further details click here
Many residents will already be aware that the brownfield site of Page Engineering in Green Street at the junction with Forge Lane is ripe for re-development. The light engineering firm finally closed in October 2014 and, whilst the loss of a long standing local employer is to be regretted, it was inevitable that the land would attract the highest price if sold for residential development.
LOSRA was made aware of the interest shown by Fairview New Homes last month but only last week was it confirmed that the Company had now acquired the land. We have been assured by FNH that full consultation will take place with local residents during the preparation of plans and we have agreed to publish all relevant material and updates on this website.
The Walled Garden in Thames Street has won the prestigious Green Flag Award for the fifth year running.
The Green Flag Award scheme recognises and rewards the best green spaces in the country and this year the Walled Garden is one of a record number of spaces to receive the Award.
The historic Walled Garden in Sunbury Park was built in the early part of the 18th Century. Following years of neglect, Spelthorne Borough Council embarked on a project to restore the two acre garden in 1985.
Expert use of trees, shrubs and climbers on the ancient walls, which are 8 to 10 feet high in places, make the garden a beautiful place to visit. The sheer variety of plants provide great inspiration for gardeners and the Lendy Memorial provides an impressive centre piece.
The Walled Garden is open seven days a week, from 7.30am-8.30pm in the summer months.
Those residents who have recently moved to the area may like to know that the historic walled garden in Sunbury Park was most probably built in the early part of the 18th century for the large mansion built on the site for Sir Roger Hudson and there is a drawing in Colin Campbell’s ‘Vitruvius Britannicus’ showing the housing in Sunbury Park in 1714.
Walled gardens were a particular feature of the larger Georgian and Victorian houses, and were used for the growing of high quality fruit and vegetables for the wealthy owner of the house.
It is something of an irony that Surrey County Council is undertaking a review of Community Recycling Centres at precisely the time that the Eco Park incinerator, despite huge local opposition, is to be imposed on us at our own Charlton Lane CRC. Some might even call the timing tasteless as residents' confidence - so recently battered by this epic saga of misrule and venal officialdom - is already at a very low ebb.
Nevertheless, our cynicism must be held in abeyance as the review is going ahead regardless, with County's stated aim to "make further savings while maintaining this important [CRC] service to residents". To achieve this, SCC is seeking your views and state that "plans will only be finalised once you have had your say on the options".
The options:
We are being invited to complete this short questionnaire by 30 September to help SCC ensure they spend the budget on providing the services we need the most.