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.
BESS is Back - An Update
On 14 October we published an article about the re-submitted planning application for a Battery Energy Storage System on Green Belt land adjacent to the Charlton Lane Eco Park. We advised that the applicant, Sunbury BESS Limited, had requested separate meetings with the local Residents’ Associations but that we had proposed instead a single meeting with representatives of those RAs.
This meeting took place in the Riverside Arts Centre in Lower Sunbury on Friday 25 October. Five committee members from the Charlton Village, Lower Sunbury and Shepperton RAs met with four representatives of Sunbury BESS Limited (the ‘Applicant’) and its agent DWD. It was a useful meeting, at which we were able to explain the various concerns of local residents and query, discuss and clarify aspects of the revised application. Following the meeting we have re-assessed our objections to the scheme accordingly.
To see our full report of this meeting, click here
To see our objections to this revised application, click here
The Blue Bishops to Play at Sunbury Cricket Club on 15th November
There’s an enforced change of plan for the next Music Night on Friday 15th November. The Club had announced The Skeleton Crew for that evening, but they have had to pull out through illness, and the Club was fortunate to secure the service of THE BLUE BISHOPS, who haven’t played at the Club for quite a while, mainly because a couple of members have to travel quite a distance.
They have done cracking shows for us in the past, and still feature long-time members Simon Burritt on guitar & vocals and Geoff Grange on guitar, harmonica and vocals. Simon is a veteran of many bands since his time as an artist with Mike Vernon’s Blue Horizon label in the ‘60s, and Geoff is a former collaborator of Bill Wyman and Nicky Hopkins. The other regular members are Ian Fordham on bass and Micky Hollis on drums, both also with a rich heritage in the business recording and performing with various bands.
The music is at the rockier end of the blues spectrum, and you can hear plenty of examples of their music, with clips from their albums on their website at www.bluebishops.co.uk, and ‘live’ performances on their youtube channel, which includes a track from this year’s Ealing Blues Festival in July, the last time they were in this neck of the woods, when they also played The Eel Pie Club. There’s plenty of other information on the website as well.
It's a welcome and long-overdue return to the Club for them, and they are looking forward to doing a show in the proper Sunbury Music Night rocking blues tradition.
Hot food, prepared by the Club's 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 it's hoped you can make it.
Admission is £10.00 on the door, payable by cash or card.
Lower Sunbury Conservation Area Appraisal
Spelthorne Borough Council has undertaken an appraisal of the Lower Sunbury Conservation Area under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. The deadline for submission of comments is November 20th.
This is an interesting document for anyone who lives in Lower Sunbury, especially for those who live within the Conservation Area.
Significantly, it is proposed that the Conservation Area be extended to include Darby House, Sunbury Court and the eastern part of the riverside public open space. In addition, certain modern development on the west side of Green Street is to be excluded.
Whilst there is reference to the state of the roads in the area, there is no mention of the wear and tear on buildings (both listed and otherwise) caused by the ever increasing volume of road traffic. LOSRA's view is that this is a matter of real concern and that reference should be made to the threat to buildings in the Conservation Area caused by increasing road traffic.
An Update from LIARFC from Club President
The following email has been received by LoSRA from Chris Kane the President of London Irish Amateur RFC and we are pleased to reproduce it here:
"Following the recent press coverage and social media posts regarding the possible re-forming of the London Irish Professional Team, I am writing to provide you with an update on our project to secure a long term home for London Irish Amateur RFC at Hazelwood.
Our position
"London Irish Amateur RFC has a long lease over much of Hazelwood. The site is also subject to very detailed planning obligations, requiring it to be used for community rugby, community sports and other community activities. In further recognition of the site’s status, Spelthorne Council recently accepted our application to register Hazelwood as an Asset of Community Value.
Increased Community Usage of Hazelwood
"As we informed you some months ago we are partnering with the London GAA and Brentford Football Club Community Sports Trust in our project to acquire Hazelwood for the community. We are now seeing both organisations increasing their usage of Hazelwood.
Extensive Support for our Plan
"We are confident our plan is deliverable and it has extensive support from our members, partners, and the community.
Engagement with other bidders
"We have always accepted it is possible another party may acquire Hazelwood and thus become our landlord. Since the administration we have engaged with a number of these parties. Our position remains we are happy to discuss with any bidders how Hazelwood could be shared.
"London Irish Amateur RFC will not be making any comment on the recent media reports.
We strongly believe Hazelwood must remain a community asset. We have a plan which achieves this."
Chris Kane
Club President
1 Nov 2024
Hazelwood Centre to Host Spelthorne Business Awards on 1st November
The following email has been received from the General Manager of the Hazelwood Community Company and we are pleased to reproduce it here:
"We are going to be hosting the Spelthorne Business awards here for the second year running on the 1st November which is very exciting for us. We would appreciate a little word out to the local community if they would like to join in celebrating local business, they are welcome to buy tickets for the tables. The guests can buy tickets through the following website: www.spelthornebusinessawards.co.uk"
More...
BESS is back...here we go again!
On 12 September a new application by Sunbury BESS Limited (via its agent DWD Property and Planning) for its proposed Battery Energy Storage System on Green Belt land adjacent to the Charlton Lane Eco Park appeared on the Spelthorne Council planning list.
Readers will recall that the original application for this unprecedented proposal was recommended by the Spelthorne Planning Officer for refusal prior to consideration by the Planning Committee meeting in June.
In the event, the application was withdrawn by Sunbury BESS Limited before it could be considered by the Committee.
The Lower Sunbury Street Improvement Scheme Consultation - Reminder
Further to the article posted here on 16th September, please note that The Lower Sunbury Street Improvement Scheme consultation closes on 20th October.
Scroll down for more information.
Blues Singer and Guitarist, Papa George to Play at SCC on Friday 11th October
The next Music Night at Sunbury Cricket Club is on Friday 11th October when the Club welcomes the great bluesman PAPA GEORGE, making a welcome return after a break of 18 months, playing at the Club once again with his own band. He did a rousing show with the same band line-up to a packed house on that occasion, so this is one not to be missed
Singer and guitarist Papa George is one of the great British blues troubadours, who has been a fixture on the club and festival circuit since the 1970s, and is sufficiently renowned to have been inducted into the Blues Hall Of Fame in the USA. He will be appearing with bass player Pete Stroud, well-known at the club from his appearances with Bad Influence, and, extraordinarily, a drummer also called Pete Stroud, formerly with Sassafras, who has played at the Club with Paul Cox, and is also a member of The Foundations.
Muddy Waters’ guitarist Bob Margolin called George “A powerful deep blues player….a spectacular blues artist. He’s got power and nuance as a master entertainer”. Broadcaster Bob Harris says George plays “electric blues at its very best”. There’s more information at www.papageorge.co.uk.
Hot food, prepared by the Club's 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 it's hoped you can make it.
Admission is £10.00 on the door, payable by cash or card.
Lower Sunbury Local Street Improvements - Have Your Say
Many residents will already have received a letter from Surrey County Council. For those who missed it, please go to:
https://lowersunbury.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/events-and-activities/step1
It should be noted that two engagement events will be held by the Project Team at the Sunbury Adult Learning Centre, The Avenue, TW16 5DZ on 24th September (1.30-6pm) and 5th October (10am-1pm).
Chairman's Report at AGM
Due to an oversight on our part, the Chairman's report at the 2024 AGM was not published on this site earlier this year.
Music Nights Kick Off at the SCC on 13th September with The 60s All Stars
Sunbury Cricket Club kicks off the music nights with a bang on Friday 13th September as it welcomes back THE 60s ALL STARS.
They played at the Club's very first Music Night back in 2010, and decided to get them in early this year as it’s sometimes hard to find a date in their schedule. "We know we can guarantee a proper rave-up at their shows, with a rip-roaring evening of wall-to-wall beat era classics, and they have always been one of our most popular attractions."
Their line-up for this gig comprises Alan Lovell of The Swinging Blue Jeans on guitar and vocals, the ever-popular Robin Bibi, also on guitar and vocals, Roger Flavell, formerly with Geno Washington and others on bass, and Mick Avory, original drummer with The Kinks. Put this one in the diary and get a gang of friends together,
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 to bet the new season under way in style.
Admission is £10.00 on the door, payable by cash or card.
A Tribute to Charlie (The Bird) Parker Comes to the RAC on 1st September
Glen Manby on alto saxophone joins the Terence Collie Trio at the Riverside Arts Centre on Sunday 1st September in a tribute to the legendary Charlie Parker.
For venue and booking details, click here
