Further to the article published on 10th July below, the following reply has been received from the Case Officer at the Planning Inspectorate. Despite LOSRA providing evidence that the application would indeed "have significant effects beyond its immediate locality", the Secretary of State, doesn't agree; and signally fails to give a reason for his disagreement. Readers will have to make up their own minds as to the degree of enquiry devoted to LOSRA's request given that the reply appears to derive from a standard template and was turned around within 3 days.

The full text of the email is reproduced here:

Further your email of the 9th July 2012, regarding the above planning application.

Firstly, I would like to explain that local planning authorities have the statutory responsibility for considering proposals for development. Authorities have to determine planning applications in the light of the local development plan for the area and any other material planning considerations. They must also take into account any representations received and give reasons for their decision. The Government is clear that localism and decentralisation are at the heart of their planning agenda and the general approach of the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government is not to interfere with the jurisdiction of authorities on planning matters

As requested, the Secretary of State has carefully considered this case against call-in policy, as set out in the 1999 Caborn Statement. The policy makes it clear that the power to call in a case will only be used very selectively. The Government is committed to give more power to councils and communities to make their own decisions on planning issues, and believes planning decisions should be made at the local level wherever possible.

The Secretary of State has carefully considered the impact of the proposal, and the key policy issues which this case raises. In his opinion, the proposals do not: involve a conflict with national policies on important matters; have significant effects beyond their immediate locality; give rise to substantial regional or national controversy; raise significant architectural and urban design issues; or involve the interests of national security or of Foreign Governments. Nor does he consider that there is any other sufficient reason to call the application in for his own determination. He has therefore decided the application should be determined at local level, and has not called it in.

In considering whether to exercise his discretion to call in this application, the Secretary of State has not considered the matter of whether the application is EIA development for the purposes of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011. The local planning authority responsible for determining this application remains the relevant authority responsible for considering whether these regulations apply to this proposed development and, if so, for ensuring that the requirements of the Regulations are complied with.

I appreciate that you will be disappointed with the decision. It is, however, now for Elmbridge Borough Council to determine this application.

Kind regards

Mrs M Peart

Casework Officer

Further to the article published on this Site on Wednesday 23rd May, LOSRA has now formally requested that the application by Elmbridge Borough Council be 'called in' by the Secretary of State.  The following email was sent today:

Dear Sir/Madam,

Re: Land Adjacent to Xcel Leisure Complex, Waterside Drive, Walton on Thames KT12 2JG, Ref: 2012/1185, Elmbridge Borough Council, Civic Centre, High Street, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9SD - Richard Morris, Head of Planning Services, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Further to recent correspondence from Mrs Muriel Bankhead, I write on behalf of this Association to support the request for a call-in by the Secretary of State in relation to the above application on the grounds that it falls within the criteria for the Secretary of State to 'call in'; namely, that it is "a development that could have significant effects beyond its immediate locality".

The Borough of Spelthorne has a duty as the local planning authority to prepare proposals for the preservation and enhancement of its conservation areas (S.71 Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation areas) Act 1990) and it has acquitted itself of this duty as far as it falls within its remit do do so.

The character of any area derives primarily from its physical form both visually and from the expression of history which it represents; and secondly from the uses and activities within the area. A number of distinct elements have had an influence on the development of the Lower Sunbury Conservation Area and its character today, not the least of which is the River Thames and the residents or visitors, who enjoy its amenity.

In the nineteenth century many visitors began to be attracted to Lower Sunbury to use punts and rowing boats on the River. Recreational boating has in the last century largely taken the place of freight river traffic and both moored and moving boats remain a distinctive feature of Lower Sunbury. It goes without saying that views both towards and from the River Thames are one of the most important characteristics of the Conservation Area.

Alongside the River Thames to the south of Thames Street areas of open space provide direct views from the Conservation Area to the River and beyond. They provide both windows to the River and an important green backcloth for views from the River. The interspersing of these open spaces between building development is a very distinctive feature of the Conservation Area. In particular, Kings Lawn is a sloping grassy area opposite St. Mary's Church and the old brick wall boundary of Sunbury Park. It is a popular area for walking, sitting and fishing; and provides mooring for private and hire boats.

Whilst PPG2 has been superceded by The National Planning Policy Framework, para. 81 of the NPPF is quite specific: "....local planning authorities should plan positively to enhance the beneficial use of the Green Belts such as....to retain and enhance landscapes, visual amenity and biodiversity. This obligation is most certainly not confined to areas which fall within the purview of one local authority area alone but must necessarily extend to those adjoining it. This is a woeful oversight on the part of Elmbridge Borough Council who, it would seem, are minded to approve their own application.

Furthermore, as para. 89, NPPF allows for the provision of appropriate facilities for outdoor sport and outdoor recreation....it contains the important qualification: "as long as it preserves the openness of the Green belt". In this respect the application manifestly fails to meet the requirement when viewed from the River or its northern bank.

I would be grateful if this request for 'call-in' could be treated as urgent. It is intended that the application will be determined by the LPA on Tuesday 10th July, 2012.

Yours faithfully,

John Hirsh,

Hon. Chairman,

Lower Sunbury Residents' Association (LOSRA)

The following appeal has been received by LOSRA and we are pleased to reproduce it here:

Surrey Police is appealing to members of the public to come forward with information that could help the Force deliver a safe and secure Olympic Games.

With Surrey hosting the Torch Relay, Cycle Road Races and Cycle Time Trial, many people will be visiting the county during Games time. This makes Surrey attractive to some individuals or groups, who see it as an opportunity to commit crime, or disrupt the events in the county.

Planning for the Games has been ongoing for a number of years, and a lot of work has gone in to ensuring the county remains safe - but we need the public to remain vigilant. If you hear anything, or see anything, including information on the internet that you think looks suspicious or causes you concern, please let us know.

If you do have information to report please contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) by dialling 101. To find out your local SNT, simply add your postcode into the Surrey Police website www.surrey.police.uk , or if you own a Smartphone, you can download the Surrey Police app, by searching for Surrey Police in the App Store or Google Play. Alternatively you can report online by visiting www.surrey.police.uk. If you’d prefer to remain anonymous, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or report online by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org

If you’re planning on going to any of the events then please ensure you plan your journey as there will be disruption on the roads. Make sure you keep your valuables safe, and let a friend or relative know where you’re going and what time you expect to return.

Chief Superintendent Gavin Stephens said:

“First and foremost, we want the Olympics to be enjoyed by everyone. If you’re going to an event, please visit www.gosurrey.info for useful information, and travel news.

We have been planning for this event for years and a lot of work has gone on behind the scenes to ensure the county remains a safe place to live, work and visit.

We’re getting closer to the start of the Games now and it is vital we disrupt those intent on committing crime or using the Games as a platform to protest. If you have any information please contact us, even if you think it might be nothing, we will judge if the information you have is useful intelligence. For more safety and security advice, please visit www.surrey.police.uk/olympics. You can also follow your local SNT on Facebook and Twitter.”

Call 101 for all non-emergency policing matters.

Call 999 if you have a genuine emergency requiring the attendance of the police (eg a crime is in progress or someone is in immediate danger).

Call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 if you have information about a crime and don't want to leave your name.

The next Music Night at Sunbury Cricket Club is on Friday 13th July, when they welcome the Scott Willcox Big Band as part of the Sunbury & Shepperton Arts Festival.

SCC are no strangers to jazz at the Club, but it's certainly the first time in their recent season of events that they are presenting big band music, with an ensemble which will be at least 15 strong, so it will be quite an impressive sound.

Please note that the band will start pretty promptly at 8pm, so make sure you're there on time if you don't want to miss anything.

There is more info at www.scottwillcox.co.uk and www.ssaa-arts.org. Tickets, £10 may be purchased on the door or are available in advance from the Festival box office at 01932 567365.

LOSRA has pleasure in announcing the annual Picnic In The Park on Saturday 7th July and organised by Friends of Sunbury Embroidery. It’s a chance to bring your chairs, tables, candelabra and hampers to enjoy the delightful surroundings of the Walled Garden and listen to a concert by Richmond Symphonic Concert Orchestra, who will be playing a programme of film music and other similar repertoire.

Although it's summer, the vagaries of the weather so far this year make it impossible to predict the temperature, so bring something warm to wear just in case. This said, It has always proved to be a delightful evening and we’re usually lucky with the weather!

Gates to the Walled Garden will open at 6.15pm for a 7pm start. The concert will finish at approximately 9.30pm. Tickets are now available in the Embroidery Gallery. £12.50 adult and £6 for under 12s.

The following self-explanatory email from the Community Development Officer, SBC, has been received by LOSRA:

You and all member of your association, are invited to this year’s Spelthorne Together Assembly.

It will be on Thursday 27 September at Kempton Park racecourse.

Please distribute this email as widely as possible. Feedback from previous years strongly indicates that “new faces” should be encouraged to attend.

Bookings are required from those delegates who wish to attend the entire event and take part in the presentations / workshops

In a departure from previous years - for those who do not wish to attend the entire event, the popular “marketplace” with stands from dozens of local organisations, will be open throughout for casual visitors to drop in. No booking is required for this.

Stands will include the public sector (Spelthorne Council, Surrey Police, Surrey Fire and Rescue, NHS and so on); community and voluntary organisations including Age Concern, CAB, VAIS, Crest, Crossroads etc; private sector such as Heathrow and Spelthorne Business Forum.

We are planning to put on a borough map display of Residents’ Associations, showing location and areas represented, along with contact details.

This follows the exercise undertaken late last year where RAs were asked to provide details of where their members live.

Please use the online booking facility.

Thanks

Regards

Joanne Jones

Community Development Officer

Spelthorne Borough Council

Council Offices, Knowle Green, Staines-upon-Thames, Middlesex TW18 1XB

office: 01784 446421

mobile: 0795 085 3031

email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.