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.
Hydropower Project at Sunbury Weir Invalidated by Elmbridge Council
The LOSRA Chairman makes the following announcement in relation to the controversial hydropower project at Sunbury Weir:
“Spelthorne Borough Council were a consultee regarding the Application by HP Projects for a hydropower scheme at Sunbury Weir, and Spelthorne Council members had “called-in” this matter to the full Planning Committee. LOSRA and others had raised queries about some of the plans submitted by the Applicant is support of this hydropower scheme. The Head of Planning at Spelthorne told us that Elmbridge Borough Council (in whose area the scheme falls) also have an issue with the plans and the level of information and detail they have been given by HP Projects. When Spelthorne spoke to them, Elmbridge confirmed that they have now invalidated the Application until they have the information. We will all be re-consulted once the Application is validated again. On this basis it will not go to the Spelthorne Planning Committee on 28 August as originally intended."
This Site will be updated just as soon as more information becomes available.
A Good Day at the Sunbury Regatta
It was good to see so many familiar faces visiting our stall at the Sunbury Regatta. Some came to join our Association, others to renew their memberships, and many just dropping by, in search of information or simply to discuss their concerns.
Now celebrating our 40th Anniversary as a fully constituted Association and, working with our local authority and other agencies, we continue to work tirelessly in doing what we can to preserve or enhance the amenities enjoyed by the Lower Sunbury community.
Our officers and committee are all volunteers who dedicate their time and energies to further the aims and objectives of the Association; and our future depends upon your continued support. If you are not a member or have forgotten to renew your membership for 2013, please either join or renew now. Annual membership has remained unchanged for the last 7 years and, at £5, costs about the same as a pint and a half of low strength beer. You may join or renew membership via the Paypal button on the Home Page or, alternatively, by leaving your subscription at the Post Office in Avenue Parade or at Twirltours Travel Agents in Green Street. We are of course very grateful to all those who have supported the Association today and over the many years of our existence.
Green Belt Development - a Prospect for Kempton Park?
On Tuesday 13th August, having heard about the possibility of developing part of the Kempton Park site, LOSRA met the Managing Director of the Racecourse site and consultants retained by The Jockey Club. They had no specific plans to show and no numbers were mentioned. The MD and consultants explained their position and we put ours to them. Spelthorne Council have set up an all-party Steering Group to handle their interest in this matter.
It will come as no surprise that LOSRA's position, in view of this initial consultation and with no detail available, is that Lower Sunbury residents’ concerns could, in the main, probably be summed up in two words: Green Belt. It is clear, however, that this is likely to be a very complex issue, as it may well coincide with another planning application just north of the A 316.
There is another meeting tentatively planned for late September. This site will be updated as and when more information becomes available.
Community Infrastructure Levy - Public Consultation
The period for consulting on the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule which started on 2 July has now concluded (see: http://www.spelthorne.gov.uk/article/3014/Consultations-and-representations) and LOSRA has made the following submission.
We are very grateful to those local residents who spared a few minutes of their time to assist in our Thames foot/cycle bridge survey. The very positive results have been attached to our submission.
Crash at Sunbury Cross Roundabout - Subway Closed
The Sunbury Cross Subway has been closed to pedestrians as result of damage caused by a vehicle collision late last week. An uninsured and unroadworthy (no MOT) skip lorry suffered brake failure and went across the roundabout dramatically damaging the control boxes, ripping out the electricity supply and telemetry so essential to the operation of the subway pumps. It was fortunate that there were no personal injuries as the control box ended up down in the subway.
The subway is below ground water level and, to facilitate pedestrian passage, the pumps should work continuously. Pump Services were immediately called out but cannot repair the extensive damage for another 10 days as the parts are not immediately available. An attempt was made over the weekend to use a pump truck, under a lane closure on the roundabout, but the knee-height level of water together with the rainfall meant that this had to be stopped. The subway is therefore not currently safe for pedestrian use.
10th August 2013 - 10 Days to go...
Be sure to visit the LOSRA stand at this year's Sunbury Regatta which is being held on Sunday 10th August at Rivermead Island, Thames Street. Exclusive Sunbury tea towels, copies of the Sunbury Trail booklet and postcards will be on sale and, for those who have yet to do so, an opportunity renew their 2013 memberships.
The Regatta itself will feature the usual Club and local skiff, punt and dongola racing; tug of war, stalls, entertainments, bars, fresh food and much more besides. The day will end with the illuminated sail-past and firework extravaganza.
Altogether, a fun day out for all, young or old, on Sunbury's foremost summer calendar event.
More...
Website Update - Cold Callers - Doorstep Crime Special
This Trading Standards Alert deals exhaustively with the whole subject of cold callers, the tricks of their trades and your rights under the law. For a full view of this Alert, click here
Hydropower Project at Sunbury Weir - Consultation
Residents will remember the public consultation by Heather Parker Projects on 15th December at the Riverside Arts Centre (see article of 6th December 2012). After a long period of silence (apparently due to a delay in acquiring a completed reference site for the noise impact assessment) LOSRA has now been made aware that Heather Parker Projects Ltd has submitted a Full Planning Application for the Hydropower scheme at Sunbury Weir.
If you wish to make your views known directly to Elmbridge Council, you have until 13th August to submit your representation. The application and all associated documents may be viewed here, Reference:2013/2895.
Alternatively, you may prefer to submit your comments to the Planning Office at Spelthorne Borough Council who are statutory consultees at http://my.spelthorne.gov.uk/planning/ quoting the reference number 13/10184/MIS.
Why Not Try a 'Buy With Confidence' Trader
Many residents will already be familiar with Checkatrade when choosing the professional services of a tradesman but may be less familiar with the new free Buy with Confidence Directory, which lists all local businesses which have been approved by Surrey Trading Standards.
If you would like a copy sent to you please contact the SCC contact centre on 03456 009 009, alternatively copies will be available in local libraries, CAB offices, District and Borough Council Offices and various other places.
Traders and more information about the scheme are also listed online www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk
The Cyclists Are Coming, Sunday 4th August
Residents are advised to check their journey options and find out more about watching the events at: www.gosurrey.info or call 0845 894 9773.
Minutes of Eco Park Meeting Held at Council Chamber, 13th June
Those residents who attended the packed public Eco Park meeting held on 13th June at Spelthorne's Council Chamber will remember an evening of frustration and high drama with many legitimate questions left unanswered. Cllr Furey, Cabinet member of Surrey County Council and the Eco Park's sponsor, has asked that the minutes of that meeting be circulated. To view, click here
Residents are reminded that the Eco Park proposal (as amended) will be put before the SCC Cabinet at its next meeting on Tuesday 23rd July, 2pm at County Hall, Kingston. This is a meeting to which the public are permitted to attend.
With apologies to Terrence Nowicki Jr.
Learn to Play Squash for Free
Spelthorne Council in partnership with Surrey Squash is running a beginners squash course during the summer holidays.
The beginner course is open to young people aged 14 – 25 and is being held at Spelthorne Leisure Centre from Monday 29 July – Saturday 3 August from 1.45 – 3.15pm each day.
Cllr Penny Forbes-Forsyth, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Young People and Leisure said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to try a new free sport and to be active over the summer holidays. We are fortunate to have been awarded Sportivate funding to enable us to offer the sessions free of charge.”
To book your place or for further information please contact Leisure Services on 01784 446433 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Elmbridge Council Defy Locals Over Xcel Sports Complex
Further to earlier reports on this site (23/5/12, 10/7/12, 1/8/12, & 20/2/13), LOSRA was dismayed last week to learn that Elmbridge Borough Council intend to proceed with plans for a Sports Stadium Complex at Waterside Drive next to the Xcel Leisure Centre on the bank of the river near the weir. Elmbridge Borough Council has been consulting their residents about plans to develop the current playing fields on Stompond Lane, further into the borough, where Walton Athletics Club and Walton & Hersham Football Club are currently based. This development of the Stompond Lane ground, filling it with houses, will be used as a means of funding the stadium at Waterside Drive.
Consultation responses from Walton & Hersham Football Club made it clear that they would prefer to stay at Stompond Lane - even in older, less well-maintained facilities - rather than move to Waterside Drive. Comments were also invited from local residents, and this showed that a vast majority – 88 per cent - of consultation responses objected outright to the Stompond Lane development, with only 12 per cent favouring the concentration of sports facilities at Waterside Drive.
Despite what might appear to be a clear mandate not to develop Stompond Lane, the Elmbridge Council Cabinet approved the appointment of Willmot Dixon to investigate the contaminated land at Waterside Drive. So it’s little surprise that Sunbury residents didn’t get a consultation, when Elmbridge has so little regard for what their own voters think.
Elmbridge has also brushed aside various covenants on the Stompond Lane ground, including one stipulating that it should only be used for sports and recreation. LOSRA Committee members observed that Elmbridge would have to disclose these covenants when they offer the land for sale which would deter developers and devalue the land.
(Photo illustrates potential light pollution affecting Thames stretch of Lower Sunbury)
Development of Tennis Courts Near The Ridings
Further to the article posted on the 2nd July, we have now been in touch with the Agent for the developers, who have plans to develop the former tennis courts near The Ridings. They plan to build 14 homes, but apart from that we know little further. We cannot really do much until they come back to us with an outline plan, but if you do have any concerns about that site which we can pass on to them when we do eventually meet them, please convey them to us through the 'Contact LOSRA' menu on the home page of the website.
We would be pleased to assist any local group of residents should they wish to make representations during the consultation process.
