A standard is, by definition, something set up and established by authority as a rule; and is therefore immutable. Nevertheless, and on the heels of another misconceived application at 126 Green Street (scroll down to article of 16th October) we find that another developer is choosing to ignore the parking standards defined in local planning law – this time at Inglewood Hall. (Planning Application 17/01400/FUL).

The existing property lies just north of the junction with Nursery Road and opposite St. Ignatius School. For full details of the application, click here.

It will be seen that the developer proposes a mere four parking spaces which is woefully short of the eleven which would be required under existing planning law. He also ignores policy which requires the impact on highway safety from potential on-street parking to be considered; and the need to make adequate and convenient provision for disabled parking.

Representations may be made online using the link above and should be submitted by 6th November. To see objection by this Association, click here.

Now that the cricket season is over, regular Sunday lunchtime jazz presentations are beginning again at Sunbury Cricket Club in Lower Hampton Road. At all of these, a lunch menu is available from around 12.30pm. with the bar opening at noon, and the music gets under way about 1pm. For more info e-mail pThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

THE SIMON SPILLETT QUARTET 

Sun. 5th Nov. 1pm £7.50

To kick off the new season of events we welcome back one of the UK’s top tenor saxophonists, Simon Spillett, a leading exponent of the music of Tubby Hayes, and his shows are always exciting and entertaining. Simon 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).

In 2017, he has been leading his own quartet featuring pianist John Critchinson, bassist Alec Dankworth and drummer Clark Tracey, as well as appearing with bands led by other leaders including the Ronnie Scott's Jazz Orchestra. He also works as a guest soloist at jazz venues across the UK. His many club and festival appearances include sold-out gigs at Ronnie Scott's and The Brecon Jazz Festival, and he has made several appearances leading his own group on BBC Radio Three. In October 2016, Spillett was appointed as a Patron of the Jazz Centre UK, joining fellow patrons Sir Michael Parkinson, Dame Cleo Laine, Van Morrison, Paul Jones (of Manfred Mann) and Jools Holland.
There’s more info at www.simonspillett.com and lots of video if you search Simon Spillett at www.youtube.com

For this event, his quartet features:

Ted Beament (piano): Best known from his lengthy tenure Humphrey Lyttelton’s band, Ted is also a bandleader and composer in his own right. He has worked with leading US jazz stars such as Sonny Stitt, Joe Newman and Scott Hamilton.

Chris Dodd (bass): Former member of the bands of trumpeter Dick Pearce and tenorist Don Weller, Chris’ hard swinging, inventive playing is regularly heard in a variety of line ups at Ronnie Scott's.

Buster Birch (drums): One of the most versatile drummers on the UK jazz scene, his music cover everything from fusion to free improvisation. As well as being a respected instrumentalist, Buster is a well-known jazz educator, and has recently assembled the show 'Buster plays Buster' with his quartet providing a live jazz soundtrack Buster Keaton silent movies. A truly unclassifiable talent!

The police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, David Munro, has stressed the importance of understanding reasons behind a recent rise in recorded crime in the county following the release of the latest crime statistics. To see his report, click here.

Mr Munro’s report relates to the whole of Surrey County. However, with regard to this borough in particular, Spelthorne Beat (Surrey Police) say: “I know it seems like there has been a rise, but there hasn't in Spelthorne. With the public talking about their own experiences on social media and us releasing the local information on the Spelthorne Beat page, you just happen to be hearing about it more so it seems like these incidences are on the rise. Surrey Police are investigating these incidences and where there are opportunities for a positive outcome we will always work to ensure the offenders are dealt with accordingly”.

Readers will recall the application to demolish the bungalow at 126 Manor Lane at the junction with Green Street and the absurdly ambitious application to develop 9 flats on the same site. Very sensibly, and under the weight of local opposition, the application was withdrawn by the developer before it could be determined by the Local Planning Authority (see article of 15th May 2017).

It’s typical that when a plan, for whatever reason, fails to go ahead, the developer will come up with a more modest proposal in the hope that local residents will feel grateful for any concessions made. It is also well known that developers rely on ‘campaign fatigue’ as fewer people will take the trouble to make representations on second or subsequent applications.

This Association is not a reflexive naysayer, recognising, as we do, that the vast majority of single dwelling development applications imply improvements not only for their owners but in the local housing stock generally. However, we will not hesitate to oppose inappropriate schemes; and the application to replace the bungalow with 7 x 2 bedroom flats together with a mere 7 parking spaces is a conspicuous example of over-development.

The closing date for making representations is shown as 18th October but late submissions will be accepted for a week or two beyond that date as the developer failed to submit an important document at the time of making the application. Giving your views online could not be easier and we urge you to do so by visiting: my.spelthorne.gov.uk/planningpublisher.aspx?requesttype=parsetemplate& template=DCSearch.tmplt and quote planning reference: 17/01483/FUL.

The submission by this Association may be viewed by clicking here

Described as “a small jewel of bewilderment and regret” by the London Sunday Times, the play, Getting On, is set in the 1970s and focuses on George and Polly Oliver.  He is a British Labour MP who feels tethered in a time of change.  He casts a world-weary eye over his marriage (his second) to Polly, social position (unsatisfactory) and life in general. 

It’s brimful of wry comedy and bittersweet moments, like Polly’s summing-up of her husband: “He’s a socialist but he doesn’t like people”.

Venue: Riverside Arts Centre, Thames Street, Sunbury.

Dates and times: 8pm – 10pm on 12th – 14th October

Entrance: £10

Box Office: 07505 206757

NHS North West Surrey Clinical Commissioning Group is hosting two public information meetings to update local residents following the fire at Weybridge Community Hospital in July.

These meetings are intended to update local residents on progress so far (particularly relating to the relocation of the two GP practices, the pharmacy and some community services back to the Weybridge Hospital site in temporary accommodation) and our plans to engage local residents on the future shape/design of the health and care facility in Weybridge.

NHS North West Surrey CCG will also be joined by colleagues from NHS Property Services, CSH Surrey and other partners.

The meetings are taking place on Tuesday 17 October at:

Venue:  The Weybridge Centre for the Community   Churchfield Place, Off Churchfield Road   Weybridge  KT13 8BD

Times:   2.00 - 3.30 pm   7.30 - 9.00 pm

These two meetings will follow the same format and are being offered at two different times to allow for those who work during the day.  Both are open to all.  It would be helpful if you could let us know if you are intending to come along to give us an idea of numbers by calling 01372 232400, emailing us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or textphone on 07880 091328