Welcome to the LOSRA Website
Like any local community, the policies and decisions shaping the character and future of Lower Sunbury are influenced by a combination of local and national government initiatives, alongside market forces and vested interests operating within these frameworks. As with many areas, Lower Sunbury faces challenges stemming from an aging infrastructure, rapid urban development, increasing traffic congestion, and other pressures that impact both quality of life and the distinctive character of the neighbourhood.
In collaboration with local authorities, other residents’ associations and amenity groups, LOSRA plays a vital role in addressing fundamental issues that affect its members' lives. This organisation not only engages with broader strategic concerns but also focuses on the everyday matters that shape community well-being.
To stay informed, we encourage you to subscribe to our regular e-bulletins via the link at the top left of this page. Your continued support is essential to our efforts, and we urge you to join or renew your membership. Subscriptions for 2026 are now payable at £5 per household. Donations are also welcome.
Sunbury Health Centre - Daily Mail Front Page 23rd December
Many residents will be aware of an article which appeared on the front page of the Daily Mail on 23rd December. The photograph of patients queueing outside the Sunbury Health Centre served to illustrate the plight of struggling GP services across the country.
Residents should be aware that the Patients Participation Group (PPG) has been working closely with the Practice to improve current systems and tackle the issue of outdated and cramped facilities that were designed for a patient population of 6000 rather than the current 19000.
No one criticises the quality of clinical care that the Practice provides but the systems and infrastructure struggle to cope with demand. The last PPG meeting saw the beginnings of a glimmer of hope that, at last, NHS properties, who own the building, are taking the situation seriously. The Acting Practice Manager is also making progress on reviewing and developing the admin systems.
It is hoped that this national paper’s article will add strength to the PPG's cause rather than undermine the hard work it has been putting in behind the scenes.
Cala Homes Appeals Against Refusal of Planning Permission at The Ridings
Our Association has become well used to controversial planning applications or appeals being lodged just before the busy Christmas holiday period when residents are occupied with family festivities and Yuletide celebrations. It therefore comes as no surprise to receive a notice from our local planning authority advising us of an appeal by Cala Homes against the Planning Committee's refusal to allow a development of 17 houses at The Ridings.
The notice (click here) outlines the steps to be taken in making representations to the Planning Inspectorate and includes the original planning reference number: 14/00322/FUL which should be entered in the Planning portal of the Council Website: http://my.spelthorne.gov.uk/planning/ All relevant documents, including letters of representation already submitted and the reasons for refusal may be accessed here.
2014 Autumn Newsletter, Carols in the Meadow - Correction
The following email extract is published as a correction to an article published in our Autumn Newsletter (See Home Page and click on Newsletters) LOSRA apologises for any inaccuracy in its original report.
"The [Newsletter] report says that Carols in the Meadow “cannot take place because there is an event at Riverside Arts Centre, which prevents them from supplying the lights”. This is not true. The problem was that the crew who rig the lighting and sound are the Riverside Youth Theatre Technical Team, who would be operating on the opening night of their Christmas production at the Arts Centre on that evening.
"I pointed out the problem to Gerry Ceaser in October who said he would try to move the event to the following week. When he told us this was not possible we made alternative arrangements to obtain wind-up lighting stands from a hire company, at no cost to the event (to save rigging scaffold towers), and found two technicians from the Arts Centre to rig and operate the equipment. We asked that Gerry should see if he could get them some help to derig, and help to take the equipment back to RAC.
"Gerry sent an email on 31st October to the churches and myself which included:
This is to confirm to you that the Carols in the Meadow will NOT take place this year due to a number of unforeseen problems that have only just come to light.
It is hoped that, provided these can be overcome, that Carols will return in 2015.
Can I thank Ian in particular for the alternative lighting arrangements that he put forward which were most appreciated but then other difficulties arose thus leading to the reluctant decision not to go ahead this year
"Myself and others at the Arts Centre have received critical comments from those who believe the cancellation was due to us saying we couldn’t help, which is unfair as we went to considerable trouble to find a solution.
"I would ask that you publish a correction in your next Newsletter, and on the website.
Thanks,"
Ian Dow
Technical Director – Riverside Youth Theatre
The 12 Online Frauds of Christmas
LOSRA wishes all its members a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Our seasonal felicitations are nevertheless tempered by the reality that cyber-criminals see Christmas as an opportunity for lining their pockets at the expense of an unsuspecting and trusting public. The City of London Police launch ‘The 12 online frauds of Christmas’ national campaign to keep you and your electronic devices safe this December.
Surrey County Council Gives Official Recognition to Cycle/footbridge Study
It was very gratifying for the Association to read that our now much reported cycle/footbridge feasibility study has been officially recognised on the Surrey County Council Website.
Spelthorne Youth Awards – nominations please by 19th December
Do you know a special young person aged between 5 and 19 years, living or receiving education within Lower Sunbury, who deserves recognition?
If so you may wish to nominate them for a Spelthorne Youth Award.
The Council is looking for nominations for the following categories:
- outstanding academic achievement
- personal achievement
- community spirit
- triumph over adversity
- sports achievement
- unselfishness, kindness and bravery
- arts achievement (including performing arts)
Anyone can nominate a young person for an award. All the young people who are nominated will be made aware of their nomination and be shortlisted for an award. The top nominees from each category will be invited to a special awards ceremony and presented with a certificate and prize from the Mayor of Spelthorne.
For further information and to nominate online visit www.spelthorne.gov.uk/youthawards. Alternatively call 01784 446433.
The deadline for nominations is Friday the 19 December.
More...
Look before you book this Christmas
Spelthorne Council and the Food Standards Agency are calling on people to check the food hygiene ratings of restaurants before booking meals out with family and friends this Christmas.
Christmas is a time to enjoy good company and good food without worrying about food poisoning. But the truth is, you can’t tell a restaurant’s hygiene standards by how clean and tidy the staff look or by how busy it is. It’s the things you can’t see - like germs spread by bad hygiene practices - that you need to consider.
There’s one easy way to set your mind at rest - check the food hygiene rating. This shows the score the business was given by Spelthorne Council’s Environmental Health staff after its last food hygiene inspection.
Currently in Spelthorne an impressive 93% of food businesses are rated satisfactory, good or very good. 55% of these businesses have achieved the top rating ‘very good’.
To check the food hygiene rating before you eat out this Christmas, visit the Food Standards Agency website http://ratings.food.gov.uk/authority-search/spelthorne
Council confirms support for Heathrow expansion
The expansion of Heathrow Airport is a subject which polarises views across our membership but, whether for or against, residents will be interested to read the latest press release from Spelthorne Council:
Spelthorne Borough Council has told the Airports Commission that it continues to support plans for an additional runway at Heathrow.
Councillor Robert Watts, Leader of Spelthorne Council appeared before a special meeting held by the Airports Commission on Wednesday 3 December to hear the views of people around the Airport following the launch of a consultation in November inviting comments on the shortlisted runway options.
Councillor Robert Watts said: “The future of Heathrow is critical to both the local and national economy. Nearly 4,000 residents work on the airport and another 3,500 in support businesses. Doing nothing is not an option as that would simply lead to a decline in jobs.
I have no illusions about the challenges any airport expansion can bring; and the noise, air quality, transport and other environment issues will need to be resolved. I have stressed to the Commission that effective and comprehensive mitigation is a prerequisite.”
The Commission, which is led by Sir Howard Davies, is currently investigating the best option for a third runway in the South East and is due to present its final report to the government in June 2015.
Speaking about the consultation in November, Sir Howard Davies said: “Since our interim report last year we have undertaken a huge amount of work. We have carried out a thorough assessment, across a comprehensive range of subjects, looking at the benefits and impacts of each proposal.”
“We have not yet taken a view on which proposal strikes the most effective balance between the assessment criteria. It is important first that we provide an opportunity for this evidence to be examined, challenged and improved. This consultation gives everyone with an interest in the issue of airport expansion that opportunity.”
“Responses to this consultation will be a valuable addition to our evidence base and will directly inform our recommendation to the government when we publish our final report in the summer of 2015.”
The consultation runs until Tuesday 3 February 2015. For more details and information on how to respond to the consultation, click here
Christmas Market, Avenue Parade,11th December
This year, once again, the Christmas Market, which is organised by the Lower Sunbury Business Community, will take place outside the shops in Avenue Parade from 5pm on 11th December.
There will be 14 stalls offering mulled wine, arts and crafts, food sampling, presents, jewellery and accessories; and for the children, rides, glow toys, face painting and Santa with his 3 live reindeer. A community raffle in aid of the Princess Alice Hospice will be run by Laura at the hairdressers.
All are welcome to join in the fun and get into the festive spirit.
White Horse Pub Applies for Extended Opening Hours
Residents living in the vicinity of the White Horse Pub at 69 Thames Street at the junction with The Avenue will wish to be aware of an application for full variations to extend the finish time for the sale of alcohol to midnight on Mondays to Sundays inclusive; and to permit late night refreshment from 2300 to 0030 on Mondays to Sundays inclusive.
(Application No.14/00852/LAPRE). We are aware of concerns that the granting of these variations may lead to an unwelcome precedent in the Village.
Unlike planning applications where LOSRA has frequently made representations at Planning Committee, objections to Licensing Committee can only be made by individuals and businesses in the vicinity.
'In the vicinity’ is a term that is not defined. Ministerial Guidance asks licensing authorities to consider if the individual is ‘directly affected’ and says: ‘it is expected that the decision will be approached with common sense and individuals living and working in the neighbourhood or area immediately surrounding the premises will be able to make representations'.
Any representation must address one or more of the four licensing objectives. In this respect, objectives b. (the prevention of crime and disorder); and d. (the prevention of public nuisance) could apply and must be submitted by 25th December
Details of the application my be viewed on the Council website: www.spelthorne.gov.uk/article/1985/Alcohol-entertainment-and-late-night-refreshment. Click on 'Licensing search' and enter reference 14/00852/LAPRE.
To make a representation by email, click here: https://www.spelthorne.gov.uk/article/1984/Licensing-and-registration?sendtoid=1887&formid=2509. Alternatively, by post to The Licensing Manager, Spelthorne Borough Council, Knowle Green, Staines TW18 1XB.
The Wind in the Willows Comes to the Riverside Arts Centre, 11th - 13th December
This Christmas, The Riverside Youth Theatre are proud to present Wind in The Willows at The Riverside Arts Centre, Thames Street, Lower Sunbury from 11th -13th December, 8pm. Tickets £8 each. The Play, adapted by Alan Bennett from Kenneth Grahame's famous book is a 'must see' for adults and youngsters alike.
Tickets can be purchased online http://riversideyouththeatre.co.uk/ or via telephone 07871 992988.
Click here for the poster
Sunbury Cricket Club to Host the Mersey Legends Friday 12th December
The final Music Night of 2014 at Sunbury Cricket Club is in on Friday 12th December, when the Club welcomes THE MERSEY LEGENDS once more for their Christmas bash. You know them from their previous gigs as The Beat Legends, but they have felt for a while that the name didn’t convey the Liverpool roots of their music clearly enough – they had previously had to change their name from The Merseybeat Legends and The Cavern Legacy because of copyright issues. Anyway, they are now The Mersey Legends, but it’s the same guys playing the same music.
They are led by Yanni Tsamplakos, who was born in Liverpool and who played at The Cavern with his band The Seftons in the heyday of the beat boom – the band were top of the bill at the Cavern when it re-opened in 1967. They play wall-to-wall Mersey era classics, with a show that’s true to its roots, and we’re guaranteed an evening of non-stop ‘60s favourites that are always guaranteed to get everyone dancing, so come along with your friends and have a bit a rave-up to get the party season under way.
'Blind Alley Art' Exhibition at Embroidery Gallery
The Embroidery Gallery in Sunbury Walled Garden, Sunbury-on-Thames, will be exhibiting art work by blind artist, Annie Fennymore, until 11 January. Entry is free.
Annie Fennymore started painting as a form of therapy over 20 years ago following a family tragedy and, suffering with a visual impairment, she relied heavily on magnification devices. When Annie then went on to also lose her residual vision four years ago she developed a new way to paint using a unique style of tactile painting.
Her latest piece 'Poppies' which she created as a thank you to those in the armed services who keep us safe, secure and free, will be the focus of the exhibition.
For more Information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01932 788101.
Council's Seasonal Rubbish and Recycling Collections
Scheduled Collection days versus re-scheduled collection days over the Christmas period may be viewed by clicking here:
www.spelthorne.gov.uk/article/8920/Seasonal-rubbish-and-recycling-collections
