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 2023 are now payable.
LOSRA AGM Wednesday 13th June
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.
Burmese Blue Has Gone Missing
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.
60s All Stars Return to Sunbury Cricket Club 15th June
The next Music Night at Sunbury Cricket Club is on Friday 15th June when the 60s All Stars make a long-overdue and very welcome return.
They kicked off the Music Nights when it was all a bit experimental, and gave us a fantastic show that gave us the confidence that we were on the right track. They are all great performers with a pedigree with top acts, featuring Mick Avory, original and long-time drummer with The Kinks, Alan Lovell from the Swinging Blue Jeans, John Dee from The Foundations and Del Mandel, a former member of George Harrison's Band.
At the last gig they invited requests towards the end, and knew every song that anyone could throw at them, and in the end pretty much everyone was dancing. We can guarantee a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining evening, so put a gang of friends together and come along for a fun night of top class '60s and rock 'n' roll classics. Entrance £7.50 on the door.
London Irish Applications - Update on Progress
Most residents will be aware that the time for letters opposing the London Irish applications expired on 11th May but we have not been idle. Just before the bank holiday Jubilee weekend LOSRA, SOLID and HAG met with the Head of Planning Policy and the Senior Planning Officer before she had begun her report with recommendations.
We were not given a steer as to which way the SPO would incline her report, nor did we expect one, but we were given two valuable hours in which to make the case for opposition to both The Avenue applications and the Hazelwood Golf Course. The recently published National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was central to the discussion as were the reports of the Planning Inspector and Secretary of State following London Irish's unsuccessful appeals.
Much of the discussion centred on the contrasting interpretation of the NPPF which has not yet been tested on appeal or at the High Court. Put simply this means that there is no precedent to which either we or the SPO could refer for guidance. Not surprisingly our take on the NPPF did not correspond exactly with that of the Head of Planning Policy; and the NPPF is nuanced in such a way as to bring to mind Shakespear's "the devil can cite scripture for his own purpose". Nevertheless, our points were put as powerfully as we could and it now remains to be seen whether they have succeeded in persuading the SPO to recommend refusal of The Avenue applications. The representations in respect of The Hazelwood Golf Course centred exclusively on additional and very exacting conditions to which the SPO gave very careful attention but, again, without any indication as to the weight she would give the evidence presented to her.
The Planning Committee will consider the applications on Thursday 21st June.
Planning Committee Refuses Police College Development
A packed public gallery at the Council Chamber heard the Head of Planning Development & Control argue the case for approval of the Linden Homes development proposals for the Police College site in Green Street. The recommendation for approval was countered by a well argued case put by a long standing resident representing the Police College Development Action Group and four local ward councillors. Principal among the objections concerned the density, considered to be too high, and access to the site. After much deliberation the Planning Committee determined that the application should be refused on a majority of 10 - 5.
It is understood that Linden Homes will now be considering its options and whether or not to appeal the Committee's decision. This site will be updated just as soon as more is known.
Kempton Girls FC to Host Summer B.B.Q and Penalty Shoot Out
Kempton Girls Football Club announce a sponsored penalty shoot out and summer B.B.Q. on Friday 22nd June from 7pm - midnight.
The event which will be held at the Kempton FC grounds at Kempton Avenue, Sunbury, has something for all the family and will include a bouncy castle, cake sale and bar. A special guest for the evening will be the goal keeper of the Chelsea Ladies team, Sarah Quantrill.
For the event poster click here
The KGFC is supported by the Football Foundation's 'Grow the Game' programme to increase the number of girls' teams at the Club and the quality of coaching. To learn more about this very worthwhile programme, click here to see press release.
More...
Football and Athletics Stadium Proposed on Walton Bank
Thanks to a local resident who got in touch with LOSRA, we have become aware of plans by Elmbridge Borough Council to construct a massive sports complex on land adjacent to the Xcel Leisure Centre in Waterside Drive, Walton. The development will include a new football and athletics stadium incorporating spectator seating, changing facilities, function/club rooms, floodlighting, additional football and sports pitches. The design and access statement may be viewed by clicking here.
The Association welcomes any addition to sporting and leisure facilities but has every reason to be concerned about the scale and ambition of this particular proposal, most especially as the development would have very serious implications for the peace and tranquility of the public and residents in Lower Sunbury. To view the letter of representation, click here.
'Eco Park' - No Case to Challenge in High Court
Readers will be all too aware that this Association together with Charlton Village Residents Association and SATEP (Shepperton Against The Eco Park) has conducted a long and very costly two year campaign in opposition to the installation of an incinerator at the community waste recycling centre at Charlton Lane. We were up against the formidable resources of Surrey County Council and their determination to see this development succeed without regard to the wishes of local residents. It is with great regret that we must report that our campaign to prevent this most unwelcome development is now over. The following is a self-explanatory extract of an email received from Councillor Smith-Ainsley of Spelthorne BC:
You will recall that I informed you on 6th April that the Council would be seeking legal advice as to whether or not we had a case to enable us to request a Judicial Review over the processes used by Sita and Surrey County Council during the Eco Park incinerator planning process. We decided to use a QC who has great expertise in this field, having successfully fought a similar case elsewhere in Surrey.
Unfortunately his advice is that having reviewed all the evidence available, we do not have a case to bring before the courts for a Judicial Review. This is obviously very disappointing news for all the residents of Spelthorne affected by this incinerator. There are still several hurdles to overcome for SiTA. The Environment Agency have yet to give the proposed incinerator a 'Permit to Operate'. When the draft is available we shall scrutinise it very carefully and reply back to the EA with any recommendations/comments we have to make on it.
With your help we shall also be keeping a close eye on SiTA during the construction phase of the project to ensure that they comply with all the conditions laid down by the County Council regarding noise, dust, operating times, odours, lorry movements and routes etc etc.
Spelthorne Council will be distributing a leaflet in the week beginning 27th May to explain to residents the actions that we have taken so far and the next steps that we are taking. This involves asking our Euro MPs for assistance as well as contacting the Secretary of State for the Environment, who has yet to release the PFI money for the project.
Sunbury Cricket Club to Host Jubilee Event, Monday 4th June
Many residents will be aware from a recent local paper article that a number of Jubilee parties in Lower Sunbury have been cancelled so it gives us particular pleasure to announce an event which will be going ahead as planned.
Sunbury Cricket Club will be holding a Diamond Jubilee fête and garden party at Sunbury CC (Lower Hampton Road TW16 5PS) from 12:00 on Monday 4th June incorporating traditional fare, a bar, BBQ, cream teas, Pimms stall, kids stalls, cake stall, plant stall and many other attractions besides.
The event which will have live music is open to all and is free. To view poster, click here: http://www.sunburycricket.co.uk/socials.php
A Great Blues Night at SCC this Thursday
The next gig at Sunbury Cricket Club this Thursday, 24th May continues the blues theme, as the SCC welcomes one of the great names of the British blues scene, harmonica wizard and singer John O'Leary - he was a prime mover in the blues boom of the late '60s as a founder member of the Savoy Brown Blues Band, then went on to play for many years with the John Dummer Blues band, and formed the blues/rock revue Mainsqueeze in the early '80s with other luminaries like Dick Heckstall-Smith, Eric Bell and Victor Brox.
He is a past master at assembling bands comprising younger musicians with a contemporary approach to the blues, and this current line-up has been in place for several years, so is a finely-honed outfit. John is widely regarded as one of the godfathers of British blues harmonica, and is always invited to play at the Cyril Davis and Junior Wells tribute nights that take place every year, and appears regularly at the 'Back to the Flamingo' nights at the Bulls Head in Barnes.
It wasn't possible to get the Friday night in this mini-tour he is doing, as there was a function already booked at the Club, so it's hoped you will be able to come out on a Thursday night for a chance to see some high-class British blues. For full info, plus music and videos, visit www.johnolearyb.com. Click here to see flier for the event.
Friends and Family Invitation to Sunbury Library
The Friends of Sunbury Library have special events to promote Sunbury Library, The Parade, Staines Road West, Sunbury TW16 7AB.
These include Coffee Mornings (10 till 12) on the first Friday of the month. The next one is on Friday 1st June 2012 and will have coffee and cake for just 25p
More details from Brenda on 01932 784866 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Phone Mast Application in Croysdale Avenue Refused
Visitors to this Site will remember the article published on 29th March headed "LOSRA says No to Phone Mast on Linear (Hawke) Park" in which we outlined our objections to the installation of a twelve and a half metre phone mast where Hawke Park meets Croysdale Avenue. We are delighted to report that the application has been refused by the local Planning Authority and LOSRA will be advised should the applicants decide to appeal the decision.
Piano Recital in Celebration of Diamond Jubilee
The Sunbury & Shepperton Arts Association is delighted to announce an additional Coffee Concert on Saturday 2 June, in celebration of HM The Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Julian Black (piano) will play some delightful and suitably 'Royal' works to celebrate the occasion. For details click here.
Residents Asked to Sign Petition in Opposition to Police College Development Plans
Readers will remember the article describing the Linden Homes application to develop the Police College site in Green Street (See entry for 23rd April below). An e-petition has now been set up and you are asked to click on the following link to give your support.
http://www.petitiononline.co.uk/petition/don-t-be-dense-linden-homes/4389
