LOSRA is immensely grateful to all those who attended our fundraising Garden Party on Sunday. A beautiful day saw a crowd of 450 local residents turn out to support the event which was made possible by the kind invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Heslop, who live in the Old Vicarage in Church Street and offering to make their beautiful garden available to the Association.

As well as giving local residents the opportunity to view this lovely garden, the LOSRA Summer Garden Party offered food and refreshments including afternoon teas and coffee, bucks fizz and wine bar, a summer BBQ and food from "The Indian Zest." There was live music throughout the afternoon provided by a variety of local musicians and fun things to amuse children. Local products were also available for purchase from a variety of small stands. Boat rides to see the village from the river completed the list of attractions.

At the latest reckoning, and thanks to your generosity, we succeeded in raising £2080 after all expenses had been paid.

A steering group has been formed to consider the proposed development of the Riverside Works site in Fordbridge Road. Following numerous site meetings an information day will now be held at the Riverside Arts Centre on Saturday 23 June from 10am to 3pm, where you can find out more about the early plans for the site, give your feedback and get your questions and queries answered.

The steering group comprising the Hon.Chairman, LOSRA, John Hirsh and Jenny Grant of CAROD (Campaign Against Riverside Over-development) representing the local community, the developer Linden Homes and the Environment Agency, has as its purpose:

• To work together to support the best possible development of the Riverside Works site on Fordbridge Road in lower Sunbury, taking account of the views, needs and desires of all the parties involved.
  
• To work with the local community and other stakeholders and ensure they are involved and consulted in the planning for the site.
  
  

The steering group was formed following the dismissed appeal in February 2011. All involved recognised that it would be much more effective and productive if the different interest groups were to work together and resolve outstanding issues, leading to a development everyone could get behind.

The steering group has now met four times and has developed a set of principles for the development to inform everything going forward. Those principles are:

• Separate access – one for residents, one for the Environment Agency to allow them to continue their vital maintenance work on the river;
• 2 storeys as the preferred height across the development, with the option of considering accommodation in the roof (i.e. 2.5 storeys) subject to the agreement of the steering group and the local community;
• Density – no more than 50 dwellings on the whole site (as specified in the Local Development Plan Document);
• A desire to see as many family homes on the site as possible, subject to the agreement of the local authority and the community;
• A commitment to ensure the development is of high quality and fits well within the lower Sunbury community;
• A workshop is part of the development and needs to meet the operational needs of the Environment Agency and take account of the needs and concerns of current and future residents and the wider community;
• All the parking for the development will be accommodated within the site.
  
  

Building on these principles, the steering group has developed a draft overall site strategy plan along with two very early sketches showing a couple of layout options for the development. These plans are available to download and view by clicking here.

If you have any questions or queries regarding these early options, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

SUNBURY ADULT LEARNING CENTRE, which is situated in The Avenue, offers a wide variety of courses such as ballroom and Latin American dancing, calligraphy, languages, photography, pottery and upholstery. There are Saturday workshops and a range of Supported Learning classes. The programme includes lip reading courses and English as a Foreign Language.

This is a great way to make friends while learning a new skill or brushing up on one. The Centre offers discounts for over 60’s not in full time employment (20%) and those on certain benefits (50%). The Autumn/Spring programme is available from 2nd July.

For further information phone 01932 794514 or click here for course information.

The Sunbury and Shepperton Arts Association has great pleasure in announcing its summer Festival. There is something to suit all tastes, including comedy, big band, classical music, a balalaika band and a celebrity luncheon with Phyllida Law. For details of all events click here.

Despite a very long 3 year campaign and two refusals on appeal, it will come as a great disappointment to read that the Planning Officer now recommends approval of the development of The London Irish Avenue Site and the Hazelwood Golf Course.

As mentioned on this Site before, the refusals on appeal were heavily qualified by the Planning Inspector and it was only a matter of time before London Irish would carefully examine the caveats contained within the Planning Inspector's report and submit further applications. This they have now done and the Planning Officer's reports may be viewed by clicking here.

The tenth anniversary of the Sunbury Open Gardens promises to be the best yet, with even more gardens to visit than usual.  (www.sunburyopengardens.co.uk)

From a cottage garden with a Thai theme, to Sunbury’s premier garden at Monksbridge, there is something for everyone. Walk where Prince Edward met for trysts with his mistresses before Wallace Simpson came on the scene.  Take in the Italianate or ponder over a plantswoman’s pride and joy.  There will be the work of others to enjoy and ideas to take away and you will be helping to raise funds for the Shooting Star Chase Children’s Hospice and St Mary’s Church.

Homemade cakes and jams, books, plants, teas and cakes and refreshing drinks are all on offer; together with a mega raffle with prizes from a flat screen TV to tickets for the Hampton Court Flower Show. Tickets for the gardens are £4 in advance (£5 on the day) from Skinners in the Avenue, from the Sunbury Embroidery Gallery, or by telephoning Sue on 019327 786675.

Residents are reminded that the Annual General Meeting of our Association will take place at the Riverside Arts Centre, Thames Street, on Wednesday 13th June at 8pm

AGENDA

• Apologies for Absence
• Minutes of 2011 AGM
• Chairman's Report
• Treasurer's Report
• Proposed Amendments to Constitution
• Election of Officers
• Talk by Heather Morgan, Head of Planning & Housing Strategy
• Open Forum
• Any other Business

As always, we like to have a special guest at our AGM in order to provide residents with an extra reason for making the effort to attend. We are very fortunate to welcome Heather Morgan, Head of Planning & Housing Strategy, who will speak on topical planning issues including the recently published National Planning Policy Framework; and its implications for the Borough of Spelthorne. Regrettably, comment on specific applications yet to be heard by Planning Committee may not be possible.

Answering to the name of 'Blue' this neutered 8 year old male cat has gone missing from the School Walk/Lyndhurst Avenue area.

He was last seen on the morning of the Monday Jubilee bank holiday and is known to have quite a range in his travels. He has gone missing before but has always previously returned within 24 hours.

Residents in the vicinity are asked to check sheds or other outbuildings in which he might have taken shelter during the changeable weather we have been experiencing.

If you think you may have seen him or know of his whereabouts please contact 07515 637474.