After years of protracted negotiations and political contention, we finally have an approved Local Plan. The below message has been published by the Spelthorne Strategic Planning Team.

"This email is to update you that the Spelthorne Local Plan 2024 – 2039/40 was adopted at an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council on Tuesday 17 March 2026.

The Local Plan now sets out the Borough’s long-term vision and statutory planning framework for the next 15 years, including site allocations to support new homes.  

This follows the receipt of the Inspector’s Report on 4 March 2026, which found the Plan sound and legally compliant subject to a number of recommended “main modifications”.

At the same meeting, two Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) were also adopted: the Spelthorne Design Code and the Managing the Development of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO). 

The Design Code, consulted on in summer 2025, provides clear, detailed guidance to secure high-quality design in future development. The HMO SPD, consulted on earlier this year, introduces principles to manage HMO developments and prevent “sandwiching” of homes between HMOs, supporting balanced communities and good quality HMOs.  

More information on the Spelthorne Local Plan is available at https://spelthornelocalplan.info/  and more information on the Spelthorne Design Code is available at: Have Your Say Today - Spelthorne Design Code - Commonplace  

As you will have also received notification of yesterday, Spelthorne Borough Council is closing down its Inovem consultation platform and is moving to a new consultation platform called Commonplace, which is now being used by the Strategic Planning Team (Planning Policy, Infrastructure).

Due to GDPR regulations, we will be deleting all contact and personal information of those registered to receive notifications of strategic planning consultations from Spelthorne Borough Council via the existing Inovem consultation platform. Only the contact details of statutory consultees, such as the Environment Agency, will be kept on file, along with all representations made during Local Plan consultations. Please see our privacy policy here for more details.

If you wish to receive notifications and updates about future strategic planning consultations and projects, please register on the Shaping Spelthorne: Strategic Planning Engagement Hub at this link. To register, you need to enter your email address under ‘Email’ in the pink box at the start of the home page.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the time you have invested in engaging in the Local Plan process and other strategic planning consultations and we hope you will continue to do so through the new engagement hub."

Residents are invited to gather at Kings Lawn for the unveiling of the new Sunbury Veterans Buddy Bench as our community marks Armed Forces Day. 

After many years in preparation, the Spelthorne Local Plan has reached a significant milestone. On 4 March 2026, Spelthorne Borough Council received the independent Planning Inspector’s Report on the Examination of the Local Plan, which concludes that the Plan is sound, subject to a number of Main Modifications.

This is an important step forward. A “sound” Local Plan provides the legal and policy framework that guides how planning decisions are made across the borough, including where new homes can be built, how green spaces are protected, and how infrastructure such as schools, roads and flood mitigation is planned.

What does “sound, subject to modifications” mean?

The Inspector, Jameson Bridgwater, has confirmed that the Plan can be adopted provided the Council incorporates a defined set of Main Modifications. These changes are intended to strengthen the Plan, address legal and technical matters, and ensure it complies with national planning policy.

1. Housing Requirement and Delivery

• Updated housing numbers and trajectory to demonstrate that Spelthorne can realistically meet its identified housing need over the plan period, with clearer assumptions about delivery rates and timing.
• Revised five‑year housing land supply position, including strengthened monitoring arrangements to ensure delivery remains on track.

2. Site Allocations (including Green Belt)

• Removal or amendment of specific housing site allocations where deliverability could not be demonstrated.
• Clearer justification for Green Belt releases, ensuring they meet national policy tests and are limited to what is strictly necessary.

3. Flood Risk and Climate Change

• Strengthened policies on flood risk management, reflecting Spelthorne’s particular vulnerability and ensuring development is directed away from areas of highest risk where possible.
• Enhanced requirements for sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and climate resilience measures within new developments.

4. Infrastructure and Deliverability

• Clearer links between new development and supporting infrastructure, including transport, schools, healthcare and utilities.
• Stronger wording to ensure that development is phased alongside infrastructure provision, rather than infrastructure lagging behind housing growth.

5. Policy Clarity and Consistency

• Amendments to improve clarity, internal consistency and effectiveness of several policies, ensuring they can be applied robustly when determining planning applications.
• Alignment of policies with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), particularly on sustainable development, design quality and environmental protection.

6. Monitoring and Review

• Enhanced monitoring framework, setting out how the Council will track housing delivery, infrastructure provision and policy effectiveness.
• Clear triggers for reviewing the Plan if delivery falls behind expectations.

What happens next?

The Local Plan will now be considered at an Extraordinary Meeting of the Environment & Sustainability Committee, followed by an Extraordinary Full Council meeting, where councillors will decide whether to formally adopt the Plan with the required modifications. If adopted, it will replace the outdated 2009 planning framework and become the primary basis for determining planning applications across Spelthorne.

What does this mean for Lower Sunbury?

For Lower Sunbury residents, adoption of the Local Plan will bring greater clarity and certainty. Decisions on development will be made against up‑to‑date policies covering flood risk, Green Belt protection, design quality and infrastructure provision. Importantly, once the Plan is adopted, speculative development proposals that do not align with its policies should carry less weight.

Your Residents' Association will continue to monitor progress closely and keep members informed as the Plan moves toward final adoption.

The Spelthorne Business Awards return for their landmark 8th and final year in the borough, celebrating the talent and achievements of our diverse local business community.

Over the last eight years the Awards have become a showcase for Spelthorne’s entrepreneurial excellence, recognising organisations of all shapes and sizes, from innovative start‑ups and solo enterprises to established local employers, creative ventures and high‑growth companies.

The 2026 Spelthorne Business Awards remain completely free to enter, with a simple application process suitable for businesses at any stage of their journey. With categories spanning a wide range of sectors, this special final edition will culminate in one outstanding organisation being named Spelthorne Best Business of the Year.

Key Dates:

• Open for Entries: Wednesday 4 March 2026
• Entries close: Midnight, Friday 19th June 2026
• Finalists announced: July 2026
• Awards ceremony: Friday 2 October 2026

This year's ceremony promises to be a memorable celebration, honouring eight years of achievement and bringing together the organisations that have shaped Spelthorne’s economic landscape.

 Why Enter?

Being shortlisted or winning a prestigious award offers visibility, enhanced credibility, and opportunities for meaningful new connections.

Last year’s Best Business winner, Catherine Hayes from Totally Tangerine commented ' the awards have really given the business an extra sense of gravitas and opened the doors to new opportunities. The awards have also been a brilliant way to connect and collaborate with other inspiring small businesses - it has led to partnerships in the past and hopefully new collaboration in the future'.

 Who Can Enter?

Businesses with a trading address in the borough are eligible to enter, free of charge. To submit an application or find full terms and conditions, visit www.spelthorne.gov.uk/SBA. 

For more details, please visit the Council's website.

Box Office and details of venue as in poster:

 The next Music Night, on Friday 13^th March, is Sunbury Cricket Club's now-traditional annual event in aid of The Mayor of Spelthorne’s Charities, featuring its house band THE CHAIN GANG. This year’s Mayor of Spelthorne is Cllr. John Doran, a councillor for Stanwell North, whose charities are Surrey Care Trust – Stanwell Community Group,1st Stanwell Air Scout Group, Families Thriving Together and Spelthorne Museum. 

As ever, the Club has assembled the great and good of our local musicians collective based at the Club led by Music Night organiser Paul Watts, under their customary name of THE CHAIN GANG in honour of the Mayor’s chain of office, to give their services free to perform what will be a great night of 60s, rock ‘n’ roll, blues, country and rock classics.

This year’s line-up features Karl Green, the former original and long-time bass player in Herman’s Hermits, along with guitarists Gerry Cook, formerly of The Saxons and now with a host of bands, and Tim Renton from 3AM, plus bass players Martin House, also from 3AM and Roger Harding from the Thames TV Big Band, drummer Stephane Booroff from Sky High and The Escorts, and who was formerly with Edison Lighthouse, plus harmonica wizard and blues singer Geoff Forester, who has played with numerous blues luminaries.

All proceeds go to the Mayor’s Charities, and the Club looks forward to a bumper crowd for a fun community night to raise as much as they can for some very good causes.

Hot food, prepared by our resident caterers Surplus To Supper, will be available as usual from about 6.30pm, with the band on stage around 8.30 pm or soon after.

Admission is £10.00 on the door, payable by cash or card. 

The London Irish Amateur Mini's Festival is taking place at Hazelwood this year on the weekend of 25th / 26th April. This is an early notification for local residents but judging by the last couple of years when the Festival has been spread over 2 weekend days (unlike the parking chaos when the whole Festival was played on one day only), it is unlikely to cause too much of an inconvenience.

The next Music Night at Sunbury Cricket Club is on Friday 20^th February when the Club welcomes back THE 60s ALL STARS, who have been regular visitors ever since performing the first Music Night more than 15 years ago and always give a fun night, with a rip-roaring evening of wall-to-wall beat era classics.

Their line-up for this gig comprises Alan Lovell of The Swinging Blue Jeans on guitar and vocals, Steve Oakman, son of former Bruvver and ’Picture Of You’ composer Pete Oakman, and who is in Los Pacaminos with Paul Young, on keyboards, Roger Flavell, formerly with Geno Washington and Christie on bass, and Graham Hollingworth, who used to tour with Chuck Berry and Cliff Richard, on drums — both Roger and Graham are also regular members of the Swinging Blue Jeans.

Put this one in the diary and get a gang of friends together, because, as always, a great party night can be guaranteed.

Hot food, prepared by our resident caterers Surplus To Supper, will be available as usual from about 6.30pm, with the band on stage around 8.30 pm or soon after, so we hope you can make it. We look forward to seeing you there.

Admission is £10.00 on the door, payable by cash or card.